Australia’s first ever female Porsche Carrera Cup driver Renee Gracie starred as a special guest at last night’s Corporate Launch of the 2014 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
Held at Australia’s premier Mercedes-Benz Melbourne showroom on the fringe of Melbourne’s central business district, the Corporate Launch event saw the unveiling of corporate hospitality packages for the 2014 event, set to be the 19th World Championship round held on the Albert Park street circuit since 1996.
Gracie was interviewed on-stage by Network Ten motorsport personality Greg Rust before an audience of approximately 200 VIP and high-profile corporate guests. The 18-year old was joined as a special guest on the night by 1980 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion Alan Jones. In addition to providing guests with an insight into her maiden Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season and career aspirations in motorsport, Gracie enjoyed a rare opportunity to meet and speak with a number of influential sporting and business figures, including a special chat with 12-time Grand Prix winner Jones.
“I am honoured to have been invited by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to be part of the Corporate Launch event and am very appreciative of the opportunity to talk about my motorsport career to the audience on the night. Meeting and spending time with so many respected business leaders such as Andrew Westacott (Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO) and Alan Jones was an eye-opening experience and one I am very grateful for. Chances to listen to a Formula 1 World Champion don’t come often, and I will definitely be taking Alan’s advice on board.
“It was an incredible experience to race at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix this year and I can’t wait to return in 2014 when we are racing the new 991 model Porsche Carrera Cup car.”
The 2013 event was only Gracie’s second ever start in the top-flight Porsche series. The former karting star finished all three races in her Fujitsu Racing Porsche with a best finish of 16th place in Sunday’s third and final race.
Gracie will be looking to continue her climb up the grid when Porsche Carrera Cup Australia heads to iconic Mount Panorama for Round 6, supporting the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 10-13.
The 2014 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix will take place from March 13-16, 2014.