McLaren F1 driver and reigning world champion Jenson Button took a break from his regular Formula One car to jump on-board Jamie Whincup’s Holden Commodore of the V8 Supercar racing series. Participating in a Vodafone sponsor event, Button ran a few laps around the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne while Whincup took a stab at running around the same track behind the wheel of a 2008 McLaren.

For his part, Button was quite impressed with the handling of the Commodore although it was quite obvious that it didn’t have the power and speed that he has gotten quite accustomed to in his time in F1. That wasn’t any more evident by the look on Whincup’s face after getting out of the 2008 McLaren.

"It was unbelievable, I can't really explain it," said Whicup, who seems to have been in a daze after his ride on-board the McLaren. "The strain on my head was unbelievable. I don't get anywhere near the Gs in my car -- the acceleration and the braking, I've never felt anything like it before.”

"I've got huge respect for these guys. To do a full grand prix at that pace is unbelievable," he added.

The whole event was organized by Vodafone just before this weekend’s Melbourne Grand Prix, which Button said would be a more competitive race for the team compared to their rather mediocre showing at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

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