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UK motorist gets the ultimate Infiniti test drive behing the whesl of a real Formula one car

A lucky motorist from the UK has realised his life-long dream to experience the ultimate in automotive performance - a drive in a real Formula One car, with personal tuition from Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver Daniil Kvyat.

Having taken a test drive of an Infiniti road car Carl Lawrence from South Godstone in Surrey was selected from hundreds of other hopefuls in the ‘Infiniti Ultimate Test Drive' campaign.

His prize saw him first visit the Infiniti Red Bull Racing factory in the UK to drive the F1 team's simulator and undergo an intense tuition program, before heading to the Dubai Autodrome. With guidance from Russian F1 star Kvyat, he learned the circuit in an Infiniti Q50 before progressing to a junior single seater car. He was then let loose in a race-specification Infiniti-branded Formula One car, turning this once-in-a-lifetime dream into reality. This weekend he heads to Abu Dhabi for a VIP experience at the Grand Prix, courtesy of Infiniti.

The Infiniti Ultimate Test Drive campaign ran in the UK from July to August 2015. It offered anyone who test drove an Infiniti at their local dealership the chance to be entered into a draw. From there, 25 finalists from UK were selected to compete against each other in a driving assessment day. Lawrence was deemed the best driver by Infiniti's panel of experts, and joined two other winners from Russia and the Middle East for the main prize.

Commenting on his experience, Carl said: "After winning the UK round it was still unbelievable to think I will actually be experiencing a drive in an F1 race car. From seeing the Infiniti Red Bull Racing factory in Milton Keynes and trying out a race simulator, to then arrive at the race track in Dubai, it was like I was living what can only be described as nearly every man's dream. To then receive instruction from Daniil Kyvat and eventually lower myself into the cockpit of an F1 car is something I will never ever forget. To say I was nervous is an understatement."

Carl continued; "The immense noise, power and speed of these cars is so intense it is beyond words, how they race for nearly two hours and then step out for interviews immediately afterwards is just unbelievable. I will be watching the race in Abu Dhabi, thanks to Infiniti, in a completely different frame of mind. My only problem is that when I tell anyone back home what I have been up to this week, nobody will ever believe me. Wow, what an experience!"

Commenting on the campaign, Carl Bayliss Country Manager - Infiniti UK added: "We've all thoroughly enjoyed the Ultimate Test Drive campaign; initially to bring a group of Infiniti test driver's together in Rockingham for world-class driver training in Infiniti's, then to take our regional finalist Carl Lawrence to Abu Dhabi and experience an F1 car first-hand has been a truly unique journey. This level of engagement with our customers & enthusiasts confirms Infiniti's commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience at every opportunity."

About Infiniti:

Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States and China. Production in the UK will start in 2015, bringing with it significant expansion of the brand's portfolio.Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.

As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Infiniti has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the four-time FIA Formula One World Championship winning Team.

More information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.