Melbourne woman Lynda Britten has worked behind the scenes of the Melbourne Grand Prix for 23 years and, in an experience she will never forget, she was invited to ride one of the race cars for the first time last weekend.

For 22 of those years, she has worked as a traffic controller at the event and everyone who arrives at the Albert Park track has to go by her, through the one tunnel into the infield.

Ms Britten controls the cars and her team control the pedestrians.

She has been there so long she is a bit of a local celebrity — a landmark of the Melbourne track, loved by world-famous drivers.

"It's become a bit of a joke over the years because people stop and talk, men get out of their cars and give me a hug and a kiss saying its great to be back in Melbourne," she said.

"I've had a lot of compliments over the years.

"Stirling Moss once said I'm the smile of the Australian Grand Prix. So when people say things like that it makes you feel pretty special."

Ms Britten's employer sponsors the comparison race, a handicapped race between two different model Mercedes and a Formula One race car.

Ms Britten and driver Zsolt Baumgartner won the race travelling at speeds around 340kph. ( Supplied: Lynda Britten )

'We were wondering if you'd like a go'

When she got the call last week to ask if she wanted to take part, she was floored.

"[She said] 'we've heard you've been there for a long time and we were wondering if you'd like to go in a Formula One car' and the rest was just a blur because I burst into tears," she said.

A number of boxes had to be ticked before she could take up the offer. She had to sign an indemnity waiver, had to be a certain height to ensure she'd fit in the car and was asked how much she weighs.

"I said 'whatever you'd like me to weigh'. Because I thought if I've got to go on a diet for a week that's what I'll do," she said.

She got dressed in special fire and safety gear then climbed into the back of the "claustrophobic" car driven by former Hungarian Formula One driver Zsolt Baumgartner.

"Paul Stoddart, the owner of the Minardi team … strapped me in and just said there's nowhere for your hands, pop them on your legs," she said.

"Before I knew it the engine started and wow we were just out of the pits at a phenomenal speed. You can't describe the speed and the turns.

"It [the car] grips so beautifully to the road.

"Everything whizzes by and it took me only a few seconds really after the initial straight and a couple of turns to think I'm actually doing this and I'm alive."

Ms Britten with former Australian F1 driver Mark Webber (L), and Paul Stoddart (R), who strapped her into the car. ( Supplied: Lynda Britten )

The car did the lap travelling at speeds around 300 kilometres per hour and easily passed the other cars in the race.

"I can remember looking up and thinking we're about to overtake this next car and sure enough I looked out on the left-hand side and we went past like it was standing still, So yeah we had a good win," she said.

"It makes you appreciate what these men do. They must be so fit.

"It's just an incredible feeling."

Vettel brings chocolates for 'number one'

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel won the Melbourne Grand Prix on Sunday. ( AP: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake )

As if getting a ride in the car wasn't enough, Ms Britten was given a box of chocolates by this year's winner of the Melbourne Grand Prix, Ferarri's Sebastian Vettel, her favourite driver.

"It's quite amazing. He was riding a push bike in and undid his backpack and said 'oh, Lynda, these are for you' and the box said number one," she said.

"He said that's because you're number one. He always has time to spend talking to me which is quite amazing."

Unfortunately she left them out on the table while she was at work and her dog ate them.

"All that was left was the box and the wrappers. I didn't even get to take a photo of the box," she said.