What’s On has details of a Ferrari F1 simulator in Dubai, at the pop-up Hubolt store in Dubai Mall Grand Atrium, ahead of the F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.

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Stopping short of sneaking onto the pit lane, the closest most us will ever get to a Formula One will be as it whizzes past the main grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi in November when the 2014 season comes to a close in the capital.

Well as we hurtle towards what is promising to be the most exciting finale in recent memory, car fans are being given the chance to get behind the wheel of the most realistic simulator ever made.

In a unique collaboration with Ferrari, luxury Swiss watchmaker Hubolt have bought this life-like experience to Dubai, at their Dubai Mall pop-up shop. Launching on October 1 and running for two weeks, the Grand Atrium store will be showcasing classic timepieces from the company. 

Alongside the exhibition, Hubolt are running the Middle East’s Hublot Challenge 2014, where guests can compete on a the very F1 simulator used by professional race drivers.

The Ferrari-licensed software is used by leading race teams and is displayed by HD projectors onto a wrap-around curved screen that gives the driver a fully immersive experience. With every bump over the curb and sharp corner cut, the carbon fibre chassis – which is supplied directly by the Italian carmakers – rumbles and jolts the driver.

High speeds and accelerations can also be felt.

According to official information, ‘the physics model of the vehicle has been developed by specialist vehicle dynamics engineers and has been validated by experienced Ferrari test drivers’.

“Every aspect of the vehicle has been modeled to have the same performance of the real car, including aerodynamics, tires model, suspension and braking,” a statement said.

Further to that, the simulator features the actual Ferrari F1 electronic system, allowing drivers to adjust the control systems from the steering wheel.