Grapevine: Brundle to Drive Jaguar F1 Car in London

Former Grand Prix driver and current ITV commentator Martin Brundle will get behind the wheel of a Formula One car next month when he drives a Jaguar next Tuesday at London's F1 Regent Street event.

Brundle, who retired from Formula One at the end of the 1996 season, last teamed up with Jaguar in 1990 when he drove the British marque to victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour race.

After visiting the Jaguar Racing factory in Milton Keynes yesterday for a seat-fitting, Brundle will undertake a one-day familiarisation exercise in the F1 car next Monday at the Santa Pod Raceway track in North Bedfordshire.

"Jaguar approached me two weeks ago at the USA Grand Prix with the kind offer of driving their F1 car and I accepted it on the spot," said Brundle. "The thought of driving the Jaguar F1 car through the heart of London's West End is very exciting and together with my friends at Jaguar, I am sure we can put on an exciting show."

Jaguar also announced today a deal with Virgin Radio which will be launched in London. The deal will see Brundle providing listeners with news and views supported by exclusive live coverage of the event.

David Pitchforth, Jaguar's managing director, added: "We are delighted and privileged to have Martin reunited with Jaguar for what surely will be a momentous occasion for fans and teams alike.

"Given the British-ness of the event, Martin was a natural choice for Jaguar and coupled with our unique partnership with Virgin Radio, I am confident we can give both London and Formula One something to remember for a very long time to come."