And they say golf is boring!
Well today I had one of the most thrilling experiences for some time and it was not on the golf course.
No, as the leaders made their way to the first tee for the final round of the 72nd Italian Open, I made my way to very nearby Monza Grand Prix circuit.
With a very special thank you to Mercedes I was invited to first sit behind the wheel of a gleaming 503 bhp 4-litre V8 GTS coupe for a lap of the circuit that a fortnight ago saw Lewis Hamilton capture a second straight Italian Formula One Grand Prix.
I was informed I got up to a speed of 185 kilometres down the back straight and in the model that was unveiled to the motoring world last October at the Paris Motor Show.
We then exchanged seats to be shown how to really tackle the circuit and with my AMG Academy driver throwing the car into the first corner and also the famed Ascari Corner before heading down the back straight at close 290 kph and finishing by tackling the Parabolica Curve and safely back to the pit enclosure.
So once again, a special thanks to Mercedes for this rare opportunity.
Bernie in the pits at Monza after two laps of the circuit in a Mercedes V8 GTS coupe.
Mercedes V8 GTS coupe at Monza.
Inside Mercedes V8 GTS 503 bhp coupe at Monza.
Main straight at Monza Autodrome and venue last fortnight for the Italian F1 Grand Prix.
