Formula One driver Takuma Sato arrived at the Albert Park Grand Prix racetrack this morning driving a slightly more unique vehicle than he's used to - a vintage hackney Virgin Atlantic London taxi.

Sato will be building upon his relationship with his personal sponsor Virgin Atlantic by using the red Austin A1 1976 London taxi as his personal vehicle throughout the Melbourne Grand Prix weekend promoting Virgin Atlantic's daily flights from both Australia and Japan to London.

Takuma Sato has a personal sponsorship arrangement with Virgin Atlantic out of Tokyo, and has long heralded the fun, quality and innovation associated with the airline. Speaking on why he decided to commandeer the London taxi to Albert Park, Takuma Sato stated: "When I heard Virgin Atlantic had their famous old London taxi in Melbourne, I thought it would be a great opportunity to experience a car I hadn't driven before. I always fly Virgin Atlantic between Tokyo and London, and I enjoy the fun associated with the airline. Although you could say the London taxi is slightly less responsive than a Formula 1 race car, I promise you it is still a challenge all the same, and you have to be very fit!"

http://www.totalf1.com/view-article.php?newsid=197026&rsssource=recent