MARCH 2, 2005

Melbourne wowed by F1 speed and noise

Melbourne traffic clogged up completely on Wednesday when F1 cars went for a spin in Melbourne's central business district. The crowds were treated to Minardi F1 team owner Paul Stoddart behind the wheel of one of his F1 cars with Dutchman Christijan Albers in a second Minardi, Williams sent test driver Antonio Pizzonia along while Mark Webber toured the course in an open-topped car. Joining the show were V8 Supercar drivers Marcos Ambrose and Mark Skaife. It is estimated that 150,000 turned up to see the show

"It was fantastic to see everyone out there enjoying Formula 1 so close up, really smelling it and feeling it," said Webber. "It was great to get close to everyone and really feel the spirit - that's what it was all about."