Reigning V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup has described his experience in a Formula One car around the Australian Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park as “unbelievable”.

The TeamVodafone driver swapped cars with reigning World Champion Jenson Button today (Tuesday) in front of an international media pack at the street circuit in the lead up to this weekend’s 2010 Formula One QANTAS Australian Grand Prix.

Whincup, who drives for TeamVodafone in the V8 Supercar Championship, admitted he was a bundle of nerves but also excited before he jumped in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

“You can’t be any more nervous than I am right now,” he revealed.

“It’s the biggest opportunity of my life. It could be the best thing I do.”

Afterwards, Whincup said he had never felt anything like it.

“I can’t really explain it,” he said.

“I had a little bit of a celebration with myself 50 metres (after taking off) because I didn’t stall; that was the hardest thing.”

Whincup said the Formula One car did “everything right”.

“The strain on my head was unbelievable; I don’t get anywhere near the Gs in my car.

“The Gs on your neck are unbelievable. I’ve got huge respect for their fitness. To do a full Grand Prix at that pace is unbelievable.”

Button, who has expressed a desire to one day race a V8 Supercar, was equally thrilled to drive a Triple Eight Commodore.

“For me it’s exciting as well because I’ve watched V8 Supercars for so many years and I’ve also said in the past after F1 I’m sure I’m going to look at doing something else and that (driving a V8) hopefully will be a possibility for me if I get the chance; I’d love to in the future.”

After his drive, Button noted there was not a lot of downforce in a V8 Supercar compared to a Formula One car.

“It was great, a really good experience,” he said.

“I noticed that I need to strengthen my right leg if I ever want to drive one of these again or if I ever get the chance to drive one of these again because you use the brake pedal with your right leg whereas in our car it’s the left so it’s quite difficult to get used to but it was a great experience and I was surprised how much grip the car had especially in low speed corners.

“It’s not as physical in the way of G force but it’s physical because it’s so hot.”

Whincup likened his Formula One experience to going up in space or flying an F-18 fighter jet.

“It’s right up there,” he said and Button, who would one day like to compete in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, agreed.

“Even now driving it (fulltime) you’ll feel that, you don’t get bored of it.

“You can get frustrated when the car’s not great but you still get a buzz every time you drive it.”

The V8 Supercars will hold three non-Championship races at the Australian Grand Prix under the banner of the 2010 BRC IMPCO V8 Supercar Challenge.