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Alistair Weaver puts the Renault through its paces

The engineer raises and a hand and beckons me on. The V10 take a slurp of air as the revs rise from their 6000rpm idle. It's like learning to drive all over again: heart pumping, feeling for the biting point and the first sign of movement.

After thirty years of anticipation, I'm finally living the dream: I am driving a Formula One car.

At the end of the pit lane, I give the right pedal a determined prod. The vibrations increase, the engine makes an assault on my eardrums and delivers a jab to my spine.

This ING Renault produces over 700bhp and weighs less than 650kg. The all-important power-to-weight ratio is around 1100bhp/tonne, twice as much as a Bugatti Veyron supercar.

Corner one is a ninety degrees right, taken in second gear. I kick the brake pedal with as much force as I dare. It feels uncouth, but it's what I've been told to do.

Talk to any modern driver and they'll tell you that the power of the brakes is the biggest difference between an F1 car and any other. The speed is slaughtered as my head is thrown forwards.

Out on to the straight, I depress the pedal as smoothly as I can until it will go no further. There's an angry shriek and my automotive reference points are redefined. Within a couple of seconds I'm in 5th, doing over 150mph. Right now, there's a very real danger that my brain will fail to keep pace with the car.

Through a fourth gear right-hander, my neck is pulled to the left. A modern F1 car will corner at 4.5g and while I'm nowhere near that limit, I can still feel the strain. Ten laps of this and I'd be finished.

As I'm called into the pits, it's easy to understand why those who've driven an F1 car in anger remain hooked forevermore. Some experiences don't live up to the hype, but this was not one of them. I'm just desperate for another go.

To watch Alistair's lap in the ING Renault, click here