M-Sport's lead driver, Sébastien Ogier, fulfilled a driving dream by taking to the wheel of the double championship-winning Red Bull Racing RB7 Formula One car.

Currently leading the FIA World Rally Championship, Ogier swapped the stages for the circuit at the Red Bull Ring – home of the Austrian Grand Prix.

For one day only, the four-time world champion traded his championship-leading Ford Fiesta WRC for the mighty Red Bull Racing RB7 – the car that won the Formula One World Championship in 2011.

“I’m 33 years old,” said Ogier, “And as a kid, Ayrton Senna was my idol. Of course, I always dreamed to have the chance to try one of these cars.

“For a racing driver to have fun, you need to be fast, and a Formula One car is the fastest car that you can drive – I think every racing driver wants to experience that.”

Ogier received expert tuition in the form of 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard who helped the Frenchman get to grips with a very different form of motorsport.

“There are a couple of challenges for Sébastien driving a Grand Prix car for the first time,” said the Scotsman.

“In rally, you’re used to a lot more cockpit space whereas, with a Formula One car, it’s a much more compact and hostile environment.”

A quick learner, Ogier clearly enjoyed his Formula One experience but is now safely back behind the wheel of M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta WRC – preparing for the next round of the FIA World Rally Championship in the Finnish forests.

“In rally, it’s certainly a lot easier to ‘feel’ the car as you have a lot more chassis movement,” said the Frenchman. “But I quickly felt comfortable behind the wheel of the RB7.

“I was still far from the real limit of the car – and had a little spin – but it was an amazing experience.

“Luckily, we’re testing for Rally Finland this week, so I can have a bit of a re-set before getting back to the Fiesta.

“The Formula One car has so much downforce and power – if I try to use the same speed and breaking points in my rally car I’m probably going to have some trouble!”

Elsewhere this week, Penrith-born Frank Bird was back in action as the sixth round of the season took the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup competitors to the legendary Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

Still suffering from a recent bout of severe food poisoning which had ruled him out of the previous round in Hungary two weeks ago, the 17-year-old was hoping to bounce back with style.

Sharing centre stage with competitors from the FIA World Endurance Championship, Bird’s debut at the world-famous track started well as he took 13th place in the opening free practice session, but 14th place in his qualifying group saw him line up on the grid for the first race in a disappointing 28th.

Unfortunately for the youngster, a poor start meant that he was unable to improve around the track which is notoriously difficult for overtaking, and he reached the chequered flag in 29th place.

The second race was interspersed with Safety Car interventions due to the wet conditions and Bird crossed the finish line in 24th place.

Despite having hoped for more, the Cumbrian lad should be encouraged by his lap times which were only marginally adrift of the top drivers as he continues to progress through the highly competitive series.

Father and PBM Team Owner, Paul Bird, remains proud of his son’s achievements and believes a boost of confidence will do wonders for the youngster as he completes his rookie season.

“Frank was still struggling with the after-effects of his recent food poisoning so it was always going to be a tough weekend," he said.

“His pace is definitely there and he’s improving no end – he just needs to get his confidence rebuilt as it’s been a brutal few rounds.

"It wasn’t the greatest of weekends for us, but not the worst either with two solid finishes.”

Elsewhere in the PBM camp, the Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team are preparing for the sixth round of the MCE British Superbike Championship which will take place at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Following a superb double victory at the previous round at Snetterton earlier this month, rider Shane "Shakey" Byrne has propelled himself into second position in the title race and will be hoping to continue his winning ways at his local track.

With a superb performance around Brands Hatch last year, Byrne took a double victory and plans for a repeat performance aboard the factory-backed Be Wiser Panigale R.

“Snetterton seems like such a long time ago already, I remember driving back from the circuit that evening having had the perfect weekend,” said Shakey.

“Race weekends can’t possibly be any more successful yet I wasn’t happy as all I wanted was to drive to Brands Hatch.”