Grapevine: Coulthard Raring for London Event

David Coulthard said he will "go as fast as the street allows" when he takes his new McLaren-Mercedes car for a spin down Regent Street in a Grand Prix demonstration on Tuesday.

Coulthard, who debuted his new machine in Sunday's French Grand Prix, cannot wait to roar through the streets of the capital as eight of the ten Grand Prix teams put their cars on show.

The Scot, who joins Englishmen Jenson Button, Nigel Mansell and Martin Brundle as home drivers in the event, promised that the fans who pack the pavements along the route will not be disappointed.

"I am looking forward to it and I think it is great for London to have Grand Prix cars," said Coulthard. "We'll go as fast as the street allows - I am not sure if we will get someone out there with a speed camera! "I hope the spectators will turn out and enjoy it.

"I suppose that those who are commuting home will hate it but I hope they come out and see the cars because there is nothing quite like the sight of a Grand Prix car."

Almost all the 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. Former World Champion Nigel 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 charismatic 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.