MAGNY-COURS, France, 6 July 2004 — London is set for a thrilling Grand Prix demonstration today after David Coulthard said he would “go as fast as the street allows” when he goes for a spin down Regent Street. Eight of the 10 Grand Prix teams have signed up to participate in the event with four of the top five world championship contenders — including Ferrari, Williams-BMW and Button’s BAR-Honda — all making an appearance.
The route, which takes cars from Pall Mall to Oxford Circus via Piccadilly Circus, has been carefully planned and the event will kick off at six o’clock in the evening. And Coulthard, who debuted his new McLaren-Mercedes in Sunday’s French Grand Prix, cannot wait to join Englishmen Jenson Button, Nigel Mansell and Martin Brundle as home drivers in the event.
“I am looking forward to it and I think it is great for London to have Grand Prix cars,” said Coulthard. Former world champion Mansell, who crashed the Minardi two-seater the last time he stepped into the cockpit of a Formula One car three years ago, will drive one of team boss Eddie Jordan’s cars. Television commentator Brundle will take to the wheel of the current Jaguar machine while Jenson Button, Britain’s best hope of success in this weekend’s British Grand Prix, will be at the wheel of his BAR-Honda.
The event is intended to increase the popularity of the sport, which has waned in recent years, ahead of the British Grand Prix, which takes place at Silverstone this weekend.
