Climbing into a seat barely ten centimetres from the ground, I grip the wheel and watch the lights.
Shell V-power: Formula One fuel for the road
Formula One represents the pinnacle of automotive technology, but since the everyday driver does not have access to an F1 car, wouldn't it be nice to nevertheless have access to some of that technology for everyday use?
Shell thinks you can.
According to Shell's General Manager of Sales & Operations Mr Henry Chu, Shell's V-power fuel is 99% similiar to the fuel used in the Ferrari Formula One racecars.
The 1% difference comes from additives in the F1 fuel, which is dependent on local weather and race conditions.
It seems then, that V-power really is Formula One fuel for the road. When asked if the price premium over normal unleaded petrol is justified, Mr Chu's surprising reply is that V-power in Singapore is actually 'underpriced'.
'The 10 to 11 cent price premium over Shell's 98 unleaded petrol in Singapore is less than the premium charged in Europe', explains Mr Chu.
For the price difference, you get 'friction modifying additives' in V-power, which Mr Chu claims will clean your engine and give it better power and performance.
Mr Chu says that there is 'no decline in (consumer) penetration' of Shell V-Power despite rising fuel prices islandwide.
'There will be "die-hards" who will not stop using V-power because they know what is good for their cars.'
Red...red...red...red...red...Green!
The unmistakable yelp of an F1 engine climbs to a deafening howl as my red Ferrari weaved its way through the field of cars.
First corner down, two cars overtaken. Second corner, and I'm up to 18th place from my 22nd place start. Third corner - disaster! Mark Webber tries to squeeze by. We collide, and in a cloud of sand and tyre smoke, the race is over for me and the No. 1 Ferrari I was piloting.
Good thing there is a reset button.
Ever wondered how the everyday driver would fare behind the wheel of a Formula One racecar?
That is exactly what the Shell F1 exhibition at Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) News Centre hoped to show.
Held from July 21 to 23, the exhibition featured an F1 simulator challenge, which was undoubtly a highlight for many.
Some aimed to challenge the likes of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa with their lap timings.
Others however, struggled to stay on the track.
For many, frustration ensued as the car slithered across the given Interlagos circuit, sometimes spinning, sometimes bouncing off from wall to wall.
Formula One racing demands much from the driver. A steady hand to control the extremely sensitive steering for example, and the focus to consistently drive at speeds in excess of 300km/h - that's covering nearly the length of a football field every second - without making mistakes.
The general consensus of those who stepped out of the 'cockpit'? It was impossible not to lose concentration.
Clearly then, Raikkonen and Massa will be pleased to know that they are in no danger of losing their job as drivers for Ferrari.
Not everyone can drive an F1 racecar; even fewer will understand just how difficult it really is. But those who did at the Shell F1 exhibition were rewarded with a greater appreciation for the level of skill involved and required to race in Formula One, and respect for the power of the racecar.
