Damon Hill: What an experience!

Sébastien Buemi, António Félix da Costa and 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill all drive the RB6 in Barcelona as the final rounds of the Formula Renault 3.5 World Series championship.

The World Series reached its dramatic conclusion in Barcelona over the weekend. Robin Frijns took the title after an enthralling duel with Jules Bianchi – but the name on the lips of the spectators at the Circuit de Catalunya was that of António Félix da Costa. The Red Bull Junior swept to victory in both races – and finished his weekend with a run in the Red Bull RB6 F1 car.

"This weekend was a brilliant one for me,” said the young Portuguese driver. “I wasn’t fighting for the Championship but it’s such a great feeling to win in the World Series by Renault. Then to drive the RB6 on Sunday evening and perform the demonstration in front of the crowd was extra special.” Having come into the FR3.5 series halfway through the year, Félix da Costa hasn’t taken long to adapt: he has been on the podium in his last five outings, with four victories and a second place.

Earlier in the weekend show car duties had been shared by Red Bull Racing reserve driver Sébastien Buemi and Damon Hill, winner of the 1996 F1 World Championship in a Renault-powered Williams. While Damon was seen earlier this month driving his father’s 1962 F1 Championship-winning BRM around the streets of the Lincolnshire town of Bourne, he revealed this was his first time driving an F1 car at a proper racing circuit for over a decade.

"What an experience!” said Hill “It was fantastic to slip back into a World Championship-winning F1 car. It’s the first time I’ve been back on track in an F1 car since Suzuka in 1999 so it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. It’s great what Renault and Red Bull Racing are doing here at the World Series by Renault - they’re introducing so many new fans to motorsport and that’s great for the sport. Not only that, but they’re also breeding the next generation of Formula One stars through 2.0 litre and 3.5. I’d like to thank Renault and Red Bull Racing for the opportunity to drive the RB6 this weekend."

While Damon was gentle with his borrowed car, Red Bull Racing reserve driver Buemi rang its throat as usual, thrilling the crowd with the full array of burnouts and donuts. "It’s always great to come to the World Series by Renault, especially for the last weekend of the season,” said a grinning Seb. “You can see how close the Championship is and how high the quality of driving is. Demonstrating the F1 car is always good fun and the RB6 is a fantastic car to showcase the speed and sound of F1. Thanks to Renault for having us all year!"

Though the World Series season is now completed, this isn’t the end of the road for Red Bull Racing and WSR in 2012: Robin Frijns will get his chance to drive a Red Bull Racing car next month, his championship prize will see him join Félix da Costa as a Red Bull driver at the Yas Marina Circuit, taking part for Red Bull Racing in the young drivers’ test which follows the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.