VIDEO from Medialink and Diageo: Pole Position with Lewis Hamilton at Anti Drink-Drive Event

NEW YORK, May 23/PRNewswire/ --

After his astonishing first season in Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton started
the 2008 Championship with an encouraging victory in the Australian GP.
Ferrari rivals then hit back and took four consecutive wins, two each for
Massa and Raikkonen, but the excellent second place obtained by Hamilton in
the Istanbul Grand Prix gave new energy to the British driver, who is now
ready for the challenge at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix.

(See video from Diageo at
http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=35131 )

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend (Friday 23 May), Lewis Hamilton
joined former McLaren Mercedes driver Mika Hakkinen to unveil a prototype of
The Pact simulator as the latest tool in Johnnie Walker's programme to
promote Responsible Drinking. The Pact simulator, in the form of a futuristic
pod, will provide consumers with a practical demonstration to remind them of
the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol in a controlled virtual
environment.

The simulator is based on software developed by Systems Technology Inc.,
a US company that provides driving simulation programmes for driver education
and law enforcement agencies. The prototype software is still in development
and, when complete, will allow consumers to experience in a virtual world the
impacts of alcohol on the ability to drive.

Lewis Hamilton commented: "Mika and I want to use the public profiles
we've gained through F1 to raise awareness of the importance of making a
personal commitment to never drinking and driving. We know that through F1
and the sport of motor racing, fans all over Europe and the world will hear
this critical message and commit to never drink drive."

Lewis continued: "At McLaren we use the concept of simulators to model
different scenarios towards the maximum performance in a safe environment.
The Pact simulator will enable people to see for themselves how alcohol
impacts the ability to drive. I think the role we play is a bit like dropping
a pebble in a pond -- if we can start a ripple that gets the message across
to a wider audience, well that has to be success in my view."

The campaign will be formally launched in Europe later this year,
encouraging consumers to make a pact with Mika and Lewis never to drink
drive.

05U8-020

Web site: http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=35131

Source: Medialink and Diageo

Medialink, New York, +1-888-560-5578, mediadesk@medialink.com

2008-05-23 17:11:31 0369938 PRNEWSWIRE