Formula One giants Ferrari and Marussia dazzled in the first Jerusalem F1 Peace Roadshow on Thursday, driving around for the first time in the Holy City at speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour on an 2.8 kilometre track.Tens of thousands excited spectators witnessed the much anticipated event.
The event featured at least seven international racing drivers, as well as top Superbike and stunt riding champions. Three-time Formula One Grand Prix champion Giancarlo Fisichella drove for Ferrari, and Rodolfo Gonzalez, who has been recently recruited to the Marussia F1 team, also took part in the two-day roadshow.
Max Biaggi, a former world Superbike champion, and stunt riding champion Chris Pfeiffer thrilled the audience with their motorcycle moves.
"This unprecedented event in Jerusalem will enable spectators from all backgrounds and religions to gather together in awe and admiration of this momentous road show. Mayor (Nir) Barkat strongly believes that the love of sports can build a bridge between the people of Jerusalem, the region, and the world," municipal spokeswoman Brachie Sprung said in a statement emailed to AFP.
Speaking to the media ahead of the race on Thursday, Barkat said that the "peace" element of the race was in the fact that "sports, from my experience, bring people together with a message of peace and a message of coexistence."
"All people love motorsports, you'll see around the track Muslims and Christians and Jews from all neighbourhoods of Jerusalem who came to watch a sport they love, no politics - sports," he said.
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