Mercedes Benz

Vodafone VIP brought a taste of Formula 1 to the heart of Manchester city centre this August bank holiday, as F1 driver Jenson Button and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team staged a celebration of the sport.





From Friday to Monday, Vodafone customers and up to 3 of their friends were given the chance to access the Vodafone VIP Fan Zone in Albert Square. The installation contained bespoke Go Kart track, and a number of interactive F1 experiences, including a pit stop challenge, a sit in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car, an F1 simulator and an exhibition of race suits and helmets. Throughout the weekend there was also be a pit garage on the forecourt of the Hilton Deansgate in which customers could have garage tours.



The highlight of the weekend was on Monday, when Button drove his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 car through the streets of Manchester. Button also treated one lucky Vodafone customer to a thrilling drive through Manchester city centre in a McLaren MP4-12C, and ended the day with an on-stage, public Q&A appearance.



This three day celebration was part of Vodafone’s initiative to give more people the chance to experience F1 first-hand. Previous Vodafone events have taken place in central London and at the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey, so by staging this in the North West, Vodafone are looking to take the sport to a wider audience and reward as many of their customers as possible.



The F1 event in Manchester was just one element of Vodafone VIP, which gives customers access to the best of British festival, fashion and Formula 1 events. Vodafone VIP supplies customers with the hottest tickets and money can’t buy experiences. All Vodafone customers can register for Vodafone VIP by going online.