McLaren Mercedes PR made us aware of a rather novel programme the team has been working on with team sponsor Vodafone.

Inspired by a recording of a model McLaren navigating office desks and negotiating a circuit constructed from toilet rolls and office hardware, the team invited the creators to sample the next step up – the real thing.

Armed with the latest mobile phone technology, Hamilton drove the full-scale working McLaren Mercedes out of the pit garage and then whist standing on the sidelines, runs the car around a small circuit.

"Vodafone tech is pretty mega,” McLaren Head of Communications Matt Bishop told ESPN Racing-Live. “I wouldn't say it replaces the need for Lewis Hamilton, because he's pretty mega too. But it's amazing what can be done with a Blackberry Storm!"

Legend has it that some years ago a Williams Renault lapped the Silverstone circuit minus a driver. With the gains in technology since then, could a driverless F1 car really become a possibility?

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International
YouTube - Lewis Hamilton and the RC Office Grand Prix

 

HAHA Holy crap, that's one of the coolest videos I've ever seen.

How awesome is that?

 

That is AWESOME!!!!

btw, that guy looks like the dood from Notting Hill.

 

He wasn't really controlling the car via the phone, was he? I watched it earlier today and figured that it was just CGI. I'm going to continue being skeptical until proven otherwise.

 

Thats one expensive r/c car.

 

If that's real, my mind has just been blown.

 

that is to friggin cool!

 

Agreed that was awesome.

 

BP just sent this to me

YouTube - Lewis Hamilton and the RC Office Grand Prix

make sure you watch till the end

 

hamad is always one step ahead...or at least less busy