英语文摘：F1 driver Jenson Button set unofficial lap record at Mount Panorama circuit in Australia

CANBERRA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Formula One (F1) world champion Jenson Button on Tuesday set an unofficial lap record at Bathurst's Mount Panorama circuit in New South Wales of Australia.

As part of the promotion to the upcoming Melbourne Grand Prix, V8 Supercars driver Craig Lowndes and 2009 F1 champion Button became the first to drive an F1 race car in the Mount Panorama circuit, which was designed for V8 Supercar.

They both piloted a McLaren MP4-23 F1 racer at Bathurst on Tuesday, covering several laps before switching to a V8 Super-touring car.

Button took one minute 48.18 seconds to finish the lap. While having his first taste of driving a F1 car, Lowndes was only a second slower than Button.

Driving his F1 McLaren Mercedes, Button set an unofficial record of nearly 20 seconds faster than Lowndes' last year official V8 record in a Holden Commodore.

Button said driving a F1 car at Mount Panorama circuit has been one of his dreams since childhood.

"It's something I have always wanted to do is drive around here," Button told The Australian newspaper on Tuesday. "And to drive around in the F1 car, which is pretty mad."

However, Button said the circuit's undulating nature was not without its challenges.

"I could hardly turn the wheel coming into the turn [for Conrod Straight] and it was a bit scary down the straight with it being so bumpy," Button said.

"The bit I really enjoyed was from about turn five onwards as you start going up the hill. That section was a real buzz.

"This is an iconic race track and it's great to celebrate the unofficial fastest lap in an F1 car."

Meanwhile, Lowndes said the F1 car is impressive compared with a V8 Supercar, and admitted it could have gone quicker.

"When I first went out it was the acceleration [that amazed me] but when you go through turn two you really realize how much acceleration you have," he told Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.

"In comparison the V8 [Supercar] seems to labor up the mountain. Potentially it could go a lot quicker but realistically I've been told to bring it back in one piece."

Event organizers said Tuesday's F1 car's lap times will not be recorded.

Melbourne Grand Prix will begin on Sunday at Melbourne of Australia.