Rally star Ken Block to drive Formula One car

Tyre manufacturers Pirelli have announced ’Gymkhana’ legend and World Rally Championship star Ken Block is to be given the chance to drive their Formula One test car. Block will get behind the wheel on August 5 for a one-off drive at the famed Monza circuit in Italy.

“I’ve been lucky enough to do some pretty spectacular stunts in my career so far, but this is something else,” he said. “Everybody talks about Formula One being the pinnacle of world motorsport so I can’t wait to discover it for myself.

“I’m very grateful to Pirelli, which has been one of my partners since 2010, for this amazing opportunity. These cars are so specialised that I need to be realistic about what I can do, but I know that it’s going to be a lot of fun and take hooning to a whole new level…”

Pirelli's test car was used in competition throughout the 2009 Grand Prix season but has since undergone aerodynamic and weight distribution modifications to simulate the latest Formula One regulations, which Pirelli's current PZero tyres are designed for.

Button takes last minute win in Canadian GP epic

Jenson Button made sensational amends to McLaren, having inadvertently taken team mate Lewis Hamilton out of a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix on the eighth lap on Sunday, by snatching victory from Sebastian Vettel halfway round the final lap.

The disjointed race began behind the safety car due to heavy rain, started to dry, then got much worse as the rain returned and refused to abate.

Things went bad for McLaren by the second corner as Hamilton tapped Mark Webber into a spin and attracted the attention of the stewards yet again. But that was nothing compared to the bad news that lay ahead for McLaren…