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Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella will thrill race fans in Rome next month when he drives a Formula One car around one of his home city’s most famous and historic landmarks, the Circus Maximus.

Two thousand years after the walls of the famous building echoed to the thunder of Roman chariots, Fisichella will lap a 1200 metre course around its exterior in a free, public demonstration run organised by Renault in collaboration with the city.

“This Roadshow is a fantastic idea!” said Fisichella. “For me, as a driver but also as a Roman, it will be great fun to drive in the streets, in front of the public and the fans from my city.

“To be able to see an F1 can close up is normally for just a privileged few, and the drivers are usually far away from the fans at races, so I am looking forward to meeting people and showing them what the sport is all about. I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience!”

Fisichella, winner of this year’s Australian Grand Prix, will be joined by Renault test driver Franck Montagny and the team’s Managing Director Flavio Briatore at the event, which will take place on Sunday April 17, from 11am.

“I love these Roadshow events, that the team began running two years ago,” commented Briatore. “Not only does it give our fans the chance to see the cars, but it allows the general public to get closer to our sport, our drivers and the team. After the reception we had in Madrid for Fernando (Alonso) in 2003, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to allow Giancarlo to run in Rome.”

To mark Fisichella’s visit, the Circus Maximus will be transformed into a sea of blue and yellow, with a Formula One paddock area, a display of Renault motorsport vehicles and the most dedicated fans will be able to join in the action with a live pit-stop simulation.