Jenson Button owns Australia's Bathurst in an F1 car

Earlier today, Jenson Button tackled Australia's famed Bathurst course in a McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 car — the first time an F1 car had run the mountainous route. Button promptly shaved 18 seconds off its record time.

Part of a promotion for the Melbourne Grand Prix and part curiosity by Button, sponsor Vodafone also let Australian V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes drive Button's MP4-23. He was just one second slower than Button, at 1:49, although Button said with practice, an F1 could lap the narrow, hilly Bathurst in 1:40. (Hat tip to Joel!)

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