F1 legend urges Scots to Never Drink and Drive

Formula One legend Mika Häkkinen has launched the festive campaign to encourage Scots to Never Drink and Drive.

The two-times F1 World Drivers’ Champion brought the Johnnie Walker Caparo T1 supercar to Holyrood for the launch of the #JOINTHEPACT Never Drink and Drive campaign and he was welcomed by MSPs of all parties who backed initiative.

#JOINTHEPACT is a global campaign which encourages people to make a commitment to Never Drink and Drive. So far in 2018, more than seven million people around the world have signed up to #JOINTHEPACT and more than 14 million people in total have made their commitment since 2008.

Mika Häkkinen leads the campaign globally for Diageo and Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky in his role as the brand’s Global Responsible Drinking Ambassador, using the enormous popularity of Formula One to reach millions of people with the important Never Drink and Drive message.

Mika said: ‘I am delighted to be back in Scotland with the Join The Pact campaign, particularly at this time of year as people prepare for Christmas and New Year, which I know is a major celebration for Scots.

‘We want everyone to enjoy the festive season safely and responsibly, and that means never drinking and driving. We want to reach as many drivers as we can in Scotland with the campaign.’

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, who supported the parliamentary event as official MSP sponsor, said: ‘The anti-drink drive message is a crucial one all year round, but it is particularly important at this time of year as people prepare to celebrate the festive season. That’s why I’m delighted to support the Join The Pact campaign and to welcome Mika Hakkinen and Diageo to the Scottish Parliament to help encourage people in Scotland to never drink and drive.

‘Formula One is enormously popular and it is great initiative to use that power to reach as many people as possible throughout Scotland with the never drink and drive message.’

Chairman of Diageo in Scotland David Cutter said: ‘We are very proud of the impact we’ve made around the world with the Join The Pact campaign, with over 14 million people making the pledge to Never Drink and Drive.

‘We’re delighted to bring the campaign to the home of our Scotch whisky distilling business and to support the efforts of the Scottish Government to tackle drink driving here in Scotland. We would like to thank parliamentarians of all parties for joining us to promote this vital public safety message during the festive season.’

As part of the Scottish campaign, Mika and the Johnnie Walker supercar Caparo T1 will also visit prominent spots around the capital over the next few days, including the Ghillie Dhu at Rutland Place and Edinburgh Airport, where the car will be on display over the weekend.

People can make their pledge to never drink and drive by signing the Caparo at Edinburgh Airport or by posting #JoinThePact on social media channels.