Porsche Supercup
This weekend (9-10th September) sees Tamara Ecclestone, eldest daughter of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone proving once and for all that she has what it takes in front of the camera at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
The gorgeous 22-year-old has been contracted by the Porsche Supercup to cover the final race of the 2006 season at the Italian high-speed circuit. The German organised race series celebrates its 15th birthday next year and is the only GT racing series to run exclusively as support to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Although the championship was decided back in July at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim where British talent Richard Westbrook took the title, this weekend’s racing still has plenty to offer fans plus an added extra twist with the addition of a special VIP to the driver line-up.
Tamara will have the honour of reintroducing former Formula One driver Italian Arturo Merzario back into the world of motorsport. Between 1972 and 1979 Merzario drove a total of 57 Grands Prix, mostly at the wheel of either a Ferrari or a Williams-Ford and despite being a talented driver in his own right, Merzario is perhaps best remembered for helping to save the life of fellow Formula One legend Niki Lauda at the German Grand Prix (Nürburgring) back in 1976.
Commenting on the weekend ahead Tamara said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing Arturo race – what he did all those years ago when he helped to save Niki’s life was extraordinary – he demonstrated a huge amount of courage and it’s going to be great to see him back out on the race track in front of a home crowd this weekend.”
Back in 1976, just three races after the accident, Lauda returned to compete in Monza. This weekend, 30 years later, one of Lauda’s rescuers returns to the Grand Prix circuit of Monza driving the 400 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with starting number 88.
The World-famous Italian track has a special place in many people hearts, drivers and race fans alike and the circuit holds a particularly sentimental significance for this weekend’s host presenter – Monza is where her father Bernie, first met her mother and his wife to be, Slavica back in the eighties.
So contrary to popular belief it’s not such an easy life being an Ecclestone girl, Tamara will have her work cut out this weekend as she not only reports on the on track action and the three-way battle for second place in the championship she will also be reuniting Merzario and Lauda as the Italian makes his guest appearance behind the wheel of a Porsche racing sportscar.