F1 Coulthard, Ukrainian drifters and ultimate need for speed in Almaty

The public wanted spectacles and it got Formula-1 level entertainment in Almaty on June 1st.

“I was there today. The live sound of a racecar beats anything so that you get goose bumps. F1 cars are real speed monsters. When it passes you by, it feels like a fighter plane flew past,” a witness shared.

A custom 1km-long track layout stretched from Zheltoksan street to Dostyk street in Almaty city. A former British Formula One race David Coulthard’s stunning show was the long-awaited highlight of the day. The racer pushed the limits of the Red Bull's RB7 Formula 1 car and crossed the track three times to the delight of the audience.

Coulthard told Vesti.kz that he really liked Almaty. “My first impression was that Almaty was interesting. When we were coming from the airport it was late at night and I only saw people cleaning the city streets," he said.

"I liked it here, everything is so well organized. I had heard about Kazakhstan before coming here and I knew the location of your country. I love discovering new countries for myself and that is why I enjoy every travel opportunity I have,” Coulthard said.

The racer who currently resides in Monte Carlo noted that he saw a famous Kazakhstani cyclist and Olypmic champion Alexander Vinokurov there. “I go cycling in the mornings and I have seen him couple times. I have also seen him at coffee shops, but I am not acquainted with him. He is always very focused and so I have not had a chance to say hello yet,” Coulthard said.

Speaking about his impressive career in Formula One, the British racer said that he didn't want to change anything because he never looked back and lived in the present.

Ukrainian stunt men and drifters performed on the Republic Square too. A famous drifter from Ukraine Alexander Grinchuk or "Grinya" impressed the audience with his extreme parking skills. Grinya parks while drifting with superb elegance. The Ukrainian drifter took the two times Olympic weightlifter champion Ilya Ilyin from Kazakhstan for a drive. The Kazakhstani Olympic record holder enjoyed a 250 km per hour drive on the improvised track. Ilyin said that it was an unforgettable experience.

That as well may be true for Almaty audience who came to see the Red Bull event. It was the first time for such a large-scale race event to be organized in the city center of Almaty. But hopefully it will not be the last.

Sebastian Vettel christened his Red Bull car Kinky Kylie after his second F1 championship. 

Kinky Kyle speeds to 100km/h in 3 seconds. Photos courtesy of the event organizers. 

By Gyuzel Kamalova