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Bike champ Lorenzo gets behind the wheel for Mercedes F1 team

Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo is the reigning MotoGP world champion

Jorge Lorenzo, the reigning MotoGP world champion, has thanked Mercedes for allowing him to take one of their Formula One cars for a spin, calling it a "dream come true". The Spaniard got behind the wheel of the Mercedes 2014 title-winning model at Silverstone on Thursday, away from the bright lights of the Formula One series as it resumes in Japan this weekend. Lorenzo, a triple world champion, drove the same car that Lewis Hamilton sped to his second F1 title in, despite limited experience on four wheels. "A dream come true!" Lorenzo tweeted, thanking Mercedes for the opportunity. The 29-year-old follows in the footsteps of MotoGP rival Valentino Rossi, who famously flirted with Ferrari at various points between 2004 and 2009 but opted to stick to two wheels. Italian Rossi, who has won motorcycling's top class seven times and is widely considered the best rider ever, was nearly lured into racing for Ferrari at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix before declining. Ferrari were looking to replace test driver Luca Badoer, who had struggled in his two races after coming in for the injured Felipe Massa. Mercedes rivals Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are locked in a furious battle for this year's Formula One title. The German currently has a 23-point lead with five races left, starting with Sunday's clash in Suzuka.