Formula One world champion Mika Hakkinen was in Romania this week to attend an event informing divers about the risks of drinking and driving, and to make a demonstration driving a Caparo T1.

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who is passionate about motor racing in his free time, joined Hakkinen as co-pilot in the demonstration.

Hakkinen, who holds two world titles from 1998 and 1999, came to Romania as ambassador of whiskey producer Johnnie Walker, to promote the campaign Join the pact, which promotes responsible drinking, as well as refraining from driving after consuming alcohol. The driving demonstration was organized at Baneasa Shopping City in the northern area of Bucharest.

The Caparo T1 that Hakkinen and Ponta drove was exhibited together with a McLaren MP4-23, the car with which Lewis Hamilton won the Formula One world title in 2008. The Caparo T1 is a British mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat automobile built by Caparo Vehicle Technologies.

The Finnish champion Hakkinen has been a Johnnie Walker ambassador since 2006.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Victor Ponta on Facebook)