Villeneuve brings F1 back to London.

1997 F1 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve brought Formula One back to the streets of London on Tuesday, when he drove last season's BMW Sauber C23B on a custom-built track near Hyde Park.

While the turn-out for the 'Intel London Grand Prix' was not spectacular, several hundreds of people gathered to watch the Canadian as he performed demonstration runs in the C23B, powering past the Albert Hall and Albert Memorial.

"It is great to be able to get the fans close to the car and close to the action, which is impossible at the race track. So it is nice to do it at a venue like this," said JV.

"[As for] the driving part there is not much you can do as it is not that fast. You can do a few donuts, which is fun but apart from that it is more just to get the fans close to the car."

Villeneuve was joined at the event by World Touring Car champion, Andy Priaulx, who did several runs in his BMW 320si and Michael Patrizi who drove a Formula BMW car. ITV F1 commentator and former grand prix ace, Martin Brundle was the other 'big' name at the event keeping the public and corporate guests up to speed on the day's action.

The event, which also featured the 'Intel Power Paddock', with race simulators and other attractions, mirrored that held in Regents Street back in July 2004, although admittedly it was on a much more modest scale.