As Red Bull Racing Formula 1 racer Mark Webber prepares to repeat his feat of a year ago by winning this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, he's swapped his 200mph RB7 for a 600mph Airbus A380.
Australian Webber, a "Qantas Ambassador", is to study for his pilot's license and has hooked up with his national airline to help him achieve his dream. He took the opportunity to get up close and personal to one of the airline's 450-seat A380s at London Heathrow, where he was shown around the cockpit by a Qantas training captain.
Qantas is providing "mentoring support" with one of its training pilots and will give Webber some valuable time in a flight simulator. It will also recommend an approved pilot training organisation for his tuition.
Webber is of course no stranger to "low flying", having famously become airborne in a high-speed barrel-rolling accident at last year's European Grand Prix in Valencia after colliding with the back of Heikki Kovalainen's Lotus (below). Here's hoping that Mark's next take-off is a less spectacular affair!
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