F1 stars wow Princes Street Gardens crowds

Mika Hakkinen at Princes street Gardens. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

The Edinburgh beauty spot was transformed into a racetrack so that the racers could show off their skills.

The event was sponsored by whisky favourite Johnnie Walker, and scheduled to coincide with new legislation coming into effect tomorrow that will see the alcohol limit slashed for Scottish drivers.

Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay was on-hand to watch all three F1 stars publicly sign Johnnie Walker’s Join The Pact campaign to never drink and drive.

The racers then dazzled hundreds of fans in a rare Caparo T1 supercar and two McLaren MP4-650S sports cars.

Two-time world champion Mika Häkkinen said: “We each know that driving a Formula 1 car is about staying in control, all of the time.

“Join the Pact is a commitment to staying in control and putting the safety of yourself, your passengers and other people ahead of everything else.

“It’s a choice that guarantees that everyone can enjoy their festivities and get home safely – we appeal to you to make that choice and Join the Pact to never drink and drive.”

New government legislation will come into affect at midnight reducing the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol in every 100mL of blood to 50mg – limiting drinkers to less than a pint of beer prior to getting behind the wheel.

Mr Mackay said: “The Scottish Government’s new drink drive limit comes into force tomorrow and we believe that it will save lives and help make Scotland’s roads safer.

“Drivers have a responsibility not to get behind the wheel when they are under the effects of alcohol, so the best approach is to have nothing at all. Don’t risk it. Don’t drink and drive.”