Formula One Driving Courses 2022

Imagine the scene:  A pit garage at a Grand Prix circuit in Europe. The engine is fired up and that distinctive and glorious roar of an F1 race car warming up sets the pulse racing.  You are fitted into the cockpit, harness tightened and then waved onto the circuit – the track is all yours.  You are in control. Flick the paddles and the awesome acceleration leaves you breathless. Into the first corner and scrub off speed – your first taste of carbon brakes is unbelievable. Accelerating through the long curves the car sticks to the road then up through the gears onto the straight before braking hard again ….. It’s hard to believe that you really are driving an F1 car on a real grand Prix circuit. Unforgettable. 

26 YEARS OF F1 EXPERIENCE

Wildside provide more F1 driving programmes than anyone. We have been organising F1 courses since the 1990s. That means experience and knowledge that is unmatched plus we have driven the cars and the circuits. We appreciate that driving an F1 is a very special, once-in-a-lifetime event and we will ensure that this really will be an unforgettable memory that will last a lifetime. Speak to someone who has actually done it – we are delighted to help and are just a phone call or email away if you have any questions.

‘CRUSHING POWER’

But don’t just take our word for it read what the best-selling author and Wildside customer Iain Banks said in Car magazine: “The F1 cars are still the genuine article – rather more than 700bhp in a body weighing less than 600kg. No rev limiter, no following a pace car and no F3 engine in a F1 body. The power is crushing, awesome, frightening, dazzling. The car reacts to every input like it’s responding to intentions, not actions. I’ve driven more intensely than I’ve ever driven in my life. I felt, and feel, incredibly privileged. So, is it worth it? Worth re-mortgaging the house.” Read the full story here  about his F1 baptism experience. He puts into words, far better than we can, the sheer, mind numbing excitement.

GENUINE F1 CARS

All the F1 cars are genuine and have raced and scored points in the World Championship and are maintained by a team of ex-F1 mechanics.  Remember there is no catch – all you need is an ordinary driving license and be at least 25 years old and that’s it. You can then be rolling out of the pits onto a Grand Prix circuit in a full-house F1 with no rev limits and no speed limits. 

CHOICE OF GRAND PRIX CIRCUITS

Only available in Europe, Wildside’s  ‘F1 Driver for the Day’ programme offers the choice of the Grand Prix circuits of Magny Cours in France and the Grand Prix circuit at Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain plus the home of the Portuguese Grand Prix – Portimao. 

2022 dates available to book NOW: Contact us for availability – high demand

• Barcelona: July 4 & 5 
• Magny Cours: April 27 & 28, May 10 & 11, June 21 & 22, July 19                                                                   
• August 24, September 7 & 8, October 4, 5 & 18
• Portimao: October 27

WHAT TO EXPECT 

Whichever circuit you choose the driving course takes place on a single day – and what a day it is. Driving a Formula One is a real privilege and we want you to get the maximum out of this unique experience. You won’t arrive at the track to find a crowd of other participants. A maximum of just 18 other drivers per day ensures you get the personalised attention you expect. There is a truly refreshing approach from the instructors who are genuinely keen for you to really experience the incredible power and g-forces generated by these cars. This is a world apart from the usual track school ‘sausage factory’ approach of rev limits, following a course car and over-bearing instructors.

At the circuit you will be kitted out in F.I.A. approved Nomex race suits, race boots, gloves and helmet – all personally selected for you.  Before being let loose in the F1 you will take to the track in morning sessions driving a single seater, paddle shift 230 km/h Formula Renault 2.0. 

                                                                           Benetton B198                                                                                                        

THE F1 EXPERIENCE 

In the afternoon ‘your’ F1 awaits. The pit lane features a squadron of Formula One cars from Benetton, Jaguar, Prost and Williams including the 2.4 litre V8 2011 Williams FW33. The cars are all equipped with steering wheel mounted paddle-shift, carbon brakes and up to 700 BHP that generates speed you can only dream of. And you are also able to select either V10 or V8 engines. Of course, the power is only half the story, get the carbon brakes up to temperature and your perception of ‘performance’ will be altered forever.

                                                                                                 Jaguar R2

 “I’ve driven more intensely than I’ve ever driven in my life. I felt, and feel, incredibly privileged. So, is it worth it? You can taste a little of that fabulously rarefied world. You can, maybe, peek into the souls of people taking part in one of the most extreme events on the planet, and know you’ve shared more than dreams with them…..”

The whole experience is beyond description. It is the very stuff that dreams are made of……………..

For detailed information about any of these F1 driving courses please contact WILDSIDE