Full concentration is needed as I climb past 250kph to close the five-car-length gap Tavares has put on me. Unfortunately, this is when a VW Polo decides to exercise his right to the passing lane-at half my current speed.
Nissan has engineer chaperones riding shotgun on each of our stints. Mine only has enough time to utter a quick "Oh, aiiii-haaaa" as I stomp on the brakes and tuck just behind the VW's bumper. When the Polo pulls courteously back over, I go for max. When I finally regain sight of Tavares, I note that we're a tick over 280kph.
In the airport the next day, I compare top-speed notes with the other journos. Turns out 280kph is as fast as anyone else dared go. Just over 173mph. I'm surprised-it felt slower.
Next issue: How the GT-R runs on an F1 track.