F1 racer marks countdown to Race Week London

FORMULA 1 racer Charles Pic has made an appearance in London with a Lotus Formula 1 car, ahead of London’s first ever ‘Race Week’ festival.

The Frenchman posed for photos close to Tower Bridge, where he was joined by a ‘London Royal Guard’ and a small boy, who was only too happy to stand in the Lotus for his own picture.

On July 3 motorsport fans will be able to enjoy a huge slice of F1 action in central London, as Race Week arrives just a day before the start of the practice sessions at Silverstone’s British Grand Prix.

There will be appearances from F1 drivers, the largest-ever collection of F1 cars from the past 50 years, and F1 simulators where budding Lewis Hamiltons can try to beat the lap records set by their idols.

Among the cars to be displayed at the Royal Artillery Gardens event will be Ayrton Senna’s 1984 Toleman, in which he first came to prominence, and the 1992 Benetton that carried Michael Schumacher to his first Grand Prix win.

There will also be an autograph session with the drivers, memorabilia stands and even a drivers’ cricket match, which was a once-regular custom last held when James Hunt and Nicky Lauda, the subjects of recent film Rush, were still racing.

Lots more is going on, guaranteeing a full day’s entertainment and rare opportunities that won’t be found anywhere else. It’s cheaper than going to the Grand Prix, too, with tickets from £40. Find out more at www.raceweeklondon.com.

By Press Association reporter