Jaguar Racing and ITV's Formula One front-man, Martin Brundle, have teamed up to contest the Grand Prix of Regent Street next Tuesday 6th July in London. Jaguar last teamed up with Martin in 1990 when he drove the marque to victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race, and finished a unique first and second having co-driven both the stunning Jaguar XJR14s at the 1991 Monza 1000kms.
After the visiting the Jaguar Racing factory in Milton Keynes yesterday for a seat-fitting, Martin will undertake a one-day familiarisation exercise in the F1 car next Monday at the Santa Pod Raceway track in North Bedfordshire.
Martin Brundle said: 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! I have a special relationship with Jaguar that first began in 1982 in the European Touring Car Championship and ended in the early 90's, the highlights including a World Driver's Championship and Daytona and Le Mans 24 hour victories. 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. In addition, it represents a great opportunity for me personally to see many tens of thousands of fans from the millions who regularly tune into the ITV Formula One broadcast - only this time I am driving and commentating at the same time.
All the Formula One drivers on the day are required to undertake a practice of the course in a road car prior to the F1 runs and Martin will use the 'Shaguar' – as driven in “Austin Powers 3: Goldmember.
In addition to featuring as ITV's exclusive 'behind the scenes team' for the British Grand Prix, Jaguar Racing has teamed up with Virgin Radio in a ground breaking deal to offer sponsors joint marketing opportunities. The partnership will be launched at F1's Regent Street event prior to this year's British Grand Prix and will generate value for fans and sponsors alike through the nation's rock and roll station in the four days leading up to the Silverstone weekend. Martin Brundle will be providing Virgin Radio listeners with unrivalled behind the scenes news and views supported by exclusive live coverage of the event. This will be coupled with a ticket give-away for the British Grand Prix and pitlane and paddock hospitality passes on the Virgin Radio Drivetime Show in what is a unique, money-can't-buy promotional tie-up between Jaguar Racing and Virgin Radio from Tuesday 6th July through to Friday 9th July.
David Pitchforth, Managing Director, Jaguar Racing said: 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.
John Pearson, Chief Executive, Virgin Radio said, This partnership will enable sponsors to reach huge audiences in partnership with two of the world's premier brands. Virgin Radio and Jaguar Racing can offer an unrivalled promotional package reaching a complimentary audience - a fantastic way of adding value for fans, listeners and advertisers.
