Parambrata Chatterjee takes the F1 game wheel at South City Mall on Saturday. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray

It was vra vra vroom at South City Mall on Saturday as actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee, East Bengal forwards Robin Singh and Alan Gow together with coach Trevor Morgan took the steering wheel of a simulated F1 game to clock the best lap time.

At stake are what Airtel, the title sponsors of the 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India, calls ‘A’ tickets for two, which include grandstand tickets, air tickets to Delhi, two nights’ stay at a star hotel, chauffeur-driven limousine service and meeting the Airtel F1 grid girls.

Parambrata, a self-confessed speed addict, arrived in a wheelchair but wouldn’t let a pulled hamstring come in his way! With the eagerness of a five-year-old, he cruised at 200kmph and cleared the first lap before “retiring hurt”. “I think the F1 coming to India will do wonders for the country’s image,” said the Lewis Hamilton fan who is eager to go to the Buddh International Circuit on Day 3, October 30, if he “manages a ticket”.

Next up was footballer Robin Singh. Hailing from Noida, the home of India’s first F1 track, Robin rued that he “might not be able to make it as it is so close to the football season”. Though not much of an F1 follower, Robin “will check out the track on Google Maps”. “I love cars. One day, I would love to own a Mercedes SLK and a Lamborghini Gallardo. Though I’m not much of an F1 fan, I do like racing,” smiled the six-footer.