Purple Bull workforce principal Christian Horner launched himself as Sebastian Vettel’s stand-in on Friday after attending to drive one in every of his workforce’s title-winning System One vehicles for the primary time in 20 years.

The 50-year-old, whose unremarkable racing profession resulted in System 3000 in 1998 and who has led Purple Bull since 2005, lapped Silverstone on Thursday in retired 4 instances world champion Vettel’s 2012 RB8 automobile.

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“It was enjoyable. The primary time I’ve pushed a Purple Bull automobile and definitely the primary time with a hand clutch and two pedals,” he instructed reporters on the Goodwood Competition of Pace the place he will even drive the workforce’s 2011 RB7 on the weekend.

Horner stated the final F1 automobile he had pushed was a Lotus at Hethel in a 1993 shakedown of a automobile that now-Aston Martin proprietor Lawrence Stroll had purchased when he was a sponsor of the Lotus workforce.

“Sebastian Vettel was as a consequence of drive one of many vehicles right here however he is on vacation together with his household and wasn’t capable of make Goodwood so the fellows recommended why do not you drive it?,” Horner stated.

“I have never pushed a single-seater since 1998 and a System One automobile since 1993.

“So I assumed there was the chance yesterday to drive a automobile with a hand clutch and a left foot brake. It was an awesome honour and an awesome privilege to drive one in every of these superb vehicles, a championship profitable automobile.

“So I will likely be Sebastian’s stand-in for the weekend right here at Goodwood.”

Vettel received his titles with Purple Bull from 2010-13. The workforce are having fun with one other golden period with triple world champion Max Verstappen, who will even drive at Goodwood with Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez.

“It is mind-boggling how fast these vehicles are and simply how a lot aero affect there’s,” Horner stated.

“The most important factor that struck me was once I lifted off, it is like someone’s thrown an anchor out.

“It is like heavy braking in a highway automobile. And then you definately hit the brakes and also you’re struggling to maintain your chin out of your chest. I loved it a lot I missed the pitlane and managed to squeeze in an additional lap.”