The V8 Supercar drivers have made the Formula One drivers look like amateurs by mastering the brand new Shanghai International Circuit at their first attempt.

In a practice session which provided both wet and dry conditions, the V8 drivers dropped lap times by over 14 seconds throughout the two-hour session with all 32 cars separated by just 3.5 seconds.

When the Formula One cars debuted on the track in September 2004, their first practice session times had an eight second difference between just 25 drivers.

Holden's Mark Skaife proved he was the quickest learner of the field, posting leading lap times from the start in the wet, then snatching the lead with a record time on the final lap of the session.

His times proved his hours spent playing computer simulation games prior to the event had paid dividends.

"It was fantastic, not just our car set up but the track itself has a very high grip level," said Skaife.

"It is a great track and the first corner is like nothing we have ever experienced before anywhere in the world.

"No-one has ever been here and for everyone to go sub two minute times shows that clearly everyone has got their brain around it quickly.

"All the drivers were having a ball out there, it was a lot of fun."

Skaife clocked 1min:49.8334secs for the lap record to pass Ford's Jason Bright (1:49.9560).

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