Russian Formula 1 star Daniil Kvyat has expressed his desire to sample a V8 Supercar following team-mate Daniel Ricciardo’s laps at Sandown last week.
Kvyat paid a visit to the V8 Supercars pitlane at Albert Park, touring the Red Bull garage with owner Roland Dane, team manager Mark Dutton and driver Shane van Gisbergen.
The 21-year-old Russian sat inside Van Gisbergen’s Holden as the Kiwi explained some of the category’s nuances.
“What I saw was a good touring car,” Kvyat told Speedcafe.com of his experience.
“It’s quite in line with my knowledge of touring and GT cars.
“It would be nice to test one, it looks quite interesting.
“If the PR (public relations) of Red Bull can organise this, I would like to do a few laps.
“I spoke to Shane and he says it’s a car that makes you work quite a lot.
“It would be interesting to know what it’s like.
“Most importantly it’s a very popular championship, which is what matters.”
Kvyat endured a disastrous start to his Formula 1 season on Sunday, failing to turn a lap after his car ground to a halt with an electrical issue on the way to the grid.
It marked the second consecutive time that Kvyat has failed to start the AGP following a transmission issue 12 months ago.
“I think Australia doesn’t seem to be the luckiest place for me so far,” he shrugged.
“Last year it was very hard to take, not starting the race, but this year I’m a stronger person so I’ll be ok.
“These things happen, that’s life and that’s racing.”
While Red Bull introduced Kvyat to V8 Supercars at Albert Park, fellow energy drink brand Monster utilised its involvement across the two categories to arrange a meeting between Prodrive’s Cameron Waters and Mercedes F1 spearhead Lewis Hamilton.
The 21-year-old Waters toured Mercedes’ facilities in the F1 paddock with the three-time world champion and said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“It was great to get some insight from the world’s best,” said Waters.
“These guys are next level. How much emphasis they put on perfection, how hard they work and how much goes into an F1 car both in parts and man power was a real eye opener for me.”
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