The Formula One car you can own and drive – but it will cost you

Want to live the Formula One dream? UK company TDF provides the chance to own and drive your own modern-era Formula One car.

The ultimate track-day toys don't come cheap, as these strictly-limited race cars are available for purchase for £1.25 million ($AU2.3 million).

Known as the TDF/One, the exclusive offering is based on a genuine Formula One chassis that competed in a World Championship race less than a decade ago.

The car has been reworked to be easier to drive and run for its new private owner – and given a heart transplant.

The concept is born with either a 2011 Marussia or 2012 Sauber chassis, and while the original suspension and aerodynamics remain, various elements are rebuilt, including the engine and gearbox.

The TDF/One is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, replacing the original F1 racer’s naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre V8.

"We looked a quite a few options, what we were trying to do was have something that was easy to use. If you start looking at different architectures and different engines, most of them won't fit under such a small bodywork. [We wanted] something that would make the horsepower and do it reliably," said TDF’s Chief Technical Director, James Densley.

The engine is mated to a six-speed paddle shift gearbox and is capable of between 450 and 600 horsepower, or up to 447kW. The car can claim a top speed of up to 290km/h, but the actual figure varies depending on gear ratios and power output.

Owners receive two sets of bespoke OZ Racing wheels wrapped in Pirelli tyres, with the option of one extra. Three compounds are on offer (soft, medium, and hard) along with wet tyres. The rubber compound has been designed to run from cold without the warming blankets used in F1.

An active drag reduction system (DRS) remains from the race car – to improve straight-line speed – but it will automatically deactivate with any steering or braking input to improve stability, while handling is set up to the owner’s preferences.

In order to provide local service and trackside support, TDF has partnered with Melbourne luxury-car dealer group Zagame Automotive Group.

TDF Director Adam Wright told Drive: "Because of the way this car has been designed, you’ll only need one or two technicians."

"In terms of simplifying concepts, preparation for the track will pretty much take pretty much a five-minute engine crank, pre-warm, driver jumps in the car and off they go, essentially eliminating issues of time and infrastructure, and having to pay a team three hours of prep even before you hit the track."

Owners can customise various components of their race car, including its livery and accompanying pit board, plus the driver’s helmet and race suit.

Production is limited, and buyers can expect a build time of around six to nine months, depending on the specification.

The TDF/One will be on display during this week's Formula One Australian Grand Prix, and is set to appear again at The Bend in South Australia at the start of April.

You can follow this car's testing and progress via the owner's @ferraricollectoraus Instagram account: