Ricciardo drives Triple Eight-built V8 Supercar

Ricciardo tested the Sandman station wagon, which is a converted Commodore V8 Supercar, at Sandown recently – the experience the Aussie’s first in V8 machinery.

The car is built around T8’s chassis 888-032, in which Jamie Whincup won eight races en route to the 2013 V8 Supercars title.

Once the car was retired, it was converted into a station wagon – with paddle-shift, around 700 horsepower, and even two surfboards mounted to the roof.

“That was very, very cool,” said Ricciardo after driving the car.

“I’m a fan of motorsports in general, not just F1 and I've always followed this stuff, so to get a taste of a genuine Aussie V8 was great.

“I’ve given Jamie some invaluable feedback that I'm sure he can use this weekend. Comments like ‘this thing has lots of power’, and ‘I’m scared to go full throttle at the end of the straight’.

“Hopefully he can use that.”