Button looking forward to London event

As the Lucky Strike B*A*R Honda F1 team gears up for the challenge of its home Grand Prix at Silverstone next Sunday (11 July), over 100,000 spectators will get a rare opportunity to see lead driver Jenson Button and his B*A*R Honda race car at close quarters when 'Formula One Comes to Regent Street' in London on Tuesday 6 July.

B*A*R is one of eight teams participating in this historic event, which will see F1 cars and drivers taking to the streets of London for the first time ever and the West End reverberating to the awe-inspiring sound of Formula One. In the thick of the action will be Jenson, who has finished on the podium seven times in nine races for his B*A*R team, which is currently fighting for second place in the FIA 2004 Formula One Constructors' Championship behind Ferrari.

Jenson, who currently lies third in the 2004 Drivers' Championship and is Britain's most successful driver this season, has a packed programme for the event, which kicks off at 17.00. First up, he will take to the wheel of an S2000 road car - Honda's dynamic, 240 bhp two-seater cabriolet - for 'Free Practice', which will enable the drivers to acclimatise to the Regent Street course characteristics.

Straight after that at 17.45, he will join the seven other drivers for the Grand Parade, which will replicate the Drivers' Parade that takes place on race day at every Grand Prix.

At 18.20, Jenson will line up fourth for the start of the main attraction - the Formula One Parade - for which he will be in the cockpit of his B*A*R Honda race car with its distinctive white, red and olive livery.

The Parade will culminate with all of the cars driving together in a procession along Regent Street, the sound of their collective 3-litre F1 engines contributing to what will be an awe-inspiring experience.

Looking ahead to this exciting event for B*A*R fans, Jenson Button said: "Formula One coming to Regent Street is a great initiative for F1 fans at home and all over the world. Even those who get to go to the races won't have been this close to the cars and drivers. I'm really pleased to be participating."

"It's a very busy week in the lead up to our home Grand Prix and I know there will be a lot of support for me at Silverstone next weekend. I get to hear an F1 engine revving to 19,000 rpm every other week so I know the sound is incredible, but even I can't wait to hear the noise that will be created when eight come together during the procession along Regent Street. The atmosphere is going to be awesome!"

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