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Never Too Late
Renault R.S.17 test driven by Rosemary Smith

Renault is celebrating 40 years in Formula 1 this year, and they are holding a range of initiatives that follow the theme “follow your passion”. In May, Renault invited 79 year-old Rosemary Smith to test drive its current F1 race car, the R.S.17.

Smith is no stranger to racing. The Irish driver is an award-winning rally racer wining multiple prizes in the 1960s, but it did take her some time to familiarise herself with the latest F1 race car and the technologies involved(as it would anyone). Following a briefing session from Renault Sport F1 team driver Jolyon Palmer and a surprise visit from Pauline Gullick, her co-driver back in the days, Smith successfully test drove the Renault R.S.17 on Paul Ricard circuit.

Watch the video above to witness how Rosemary Smith became “the oldest person to drive a 800 bhp race car.”