two boys from Oxfordshire had an extra special Grand Prix experience when they met the world’s best F1 drivers.

Great Ormond Street Hospital patients Jamie Remedios, from Oxford, and Bailey Copcutt, from Thame, were in pole position at Silverstone during the Grand Prix weekend, as VIP guests of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone through the hospital’s Children’s Charity.

During a behind-the-scenes tour, the boys met drivers including past world champions Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, as well as current title holder Sebastian Vettel.

Jamie, 16, a pupil at Iffley Mead School, had open heart surgery when he was 10 days old, but that led to renal problems.

He was on kidney dialysis for two-and-a-half years before having a kidney transplant in April 2009.

However, the first transplant failed, so he had another in November 2010.

The new kidney is now working, but, because of infection problems, Jamie still visits Great Ormond Street Hospital for regular check-ups.

Jamie’s father Clive Gillam, 63, of Minster Road in East Oxford, said: “The Great Ormond Street charity does fantastic work and they have a great relationship with Mr Ecclestone.

“Friday was a practice session for the drivers in the run-up to the race on Sunday and there were 60,000 people at the track.

“Jamie met David Coulthard, a former F1 driver, and Lewis Hamilton’s brother Anthony Hamilton in the paddock area.”

Bailey, four, was born with a rare eye condition called congenital glaucoma.

After more than 30 procedures, he developed an infection which resulted in the removal of his left eye.

He now has a prosthetic eye and visits Great Ormond Street Hospital regularly, so doctors can monitor his right eye.

Bailey attends pre-school and takes part in the same activities as his peers.

His brothers are also regularly monitored for glaucoma, due to a family history of the disorder.

He went to Silverstone with his parents Lucie and Shane, 35 and 33 respectively, and brothers Taylor, eight, and Reagan, six.

Mrs Copcutt, of Michaelis Road, Thame, said: “They are still going on about it now.

“My eight-year-old said he feels famous because everyone at schools wants to look at the pictures.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk