Irvine Makes his Broadway Debut

Jaguar's Eddie Irvine was the first driver to turn a wheel in a Formula One car ahead of the United States Grand Prix, as he piloted his R1 through the streets of Broadway, New York, on Tuesday.

Irvine drove along five blocks in his Jaguar whilst teammate Johnny Herbert was alongside him in a New York taxi cab, in an event aimed to promote the long awaited return of Formula One to America.

Both Irvine and Herbert were assisted by the New York Police Department to make it through the heavy traffic up to Times Square, as thousands of surprised onlookers watched the proceedings.

"I was thrilled to be given the chance to take centre stage, albeit a bitumen one," Irvine Said. "I've encountered traffic on a race track, but to be in the thick of it in a Jaguar on the streets of New York was brilliant."

"There is so much expectation among the American fans - we certainly won over a few more Formula One converts today. I am really looking forward to this weekend's race."

Formula One returns to the United States, and to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, after a nine-year absence, and has raised a lot of expectations amongst drivers, teams, and fans, as Herbert confirmed today.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable," he said. "I knew we would create a fuss, but the turnout was overwhelming, it shows that the American public are really getting behind Formula One."

The United States Grand Prix will take place next Sunday and it will be the first one to be held in America since 1991.