Formula One Star Martin Brundle and New Jaguar XJR Take On High-Flying ‘Jetman’ in World-First Desert Drag Race

In a unique contest deep in the Dubai desert, Jetman Dubai pilot Yves Rossy took on his first-ever live race when he went head-to-head against a Jaguar XJR driven by former Formula One star Martin Brundle. The 2.8-kilometre race took place on a closed private road and in the skies above it, and was captured in a three-minute short film available on Jaguar MENA Youtube.

Brundle, who drove in F1 alongside Michael Schumacher and is now a commentator, had the new all-aluminium 550PS, 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 Jaguar XJR at his disposal, while Rossy was strapped to his two meter-wide fixed wing, powered by four Jet-Cat superchargers.

Brundle was helped off the line by the XJ’s innovative All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), a high-tech system that automatically limits traction loss on the rear-wheel drive car at low speeds on slippery surfaces, maximising grip in tough conditions. He was able to reach a top speed of 280 kilometres per hour (km/h) before crossing the finish line.