On Wednesday 4th July, less than 24 hours before Love Island Adam Collard was dumped from the Love Island villa, all three of his TV exes mingled with the stars and London’s elite at the exclusive 8th Annual Grand Prix Ball.
The Hurlingham Club in London’s well-heeled Fulham hosted the prestigious event, organised by GP Management, at the only time of year where Formula 1’s snazzy cars are driven in London.
Legendary Formula 1 stars Mark Webber, Simon Lazenby and David Coulthard MBE hosted the glamorous televised event, moments from the Thames at Hurlingham Club’s striking 42-acre estate – considered to be one of the world’s
most highly revered private member’s clubs.
The star-studded event started in true showbiz style, as fashionably-dressed F1 fans and celebrities sashayed up the red carpet, including Adam Collard from Love Island’s gorgeous TV exes, Kendall Knight, Rosie Anna Williams and the endearingly demure, Zara McDermott – who according to recent reports is soon to be reunited with the once naughty lothario.
After Adam’s latest confession that he still holds a candle for Zara on Wednesday’s Love Island, could a romance soon be on the cards? “I speak to his family every day, I think he’s an amazing guy.” She revealed, whilst seated next to me at dinner, expressing how she still had high hopes for a future with the handsome personal trainer. Has this softly-spoken government advisor, possessing both beauty and brains finally tamed this northern lady-lover? Watch this space…
David Coulthard MBE, also drove and wowed the crowds on the Hurlingham Club’s grounds in an awe-inspiring Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB8, before a chic black-tie drinks reception commenced at 7pm with chilled glasses of champagne served as guests were treated to an F1 demonstration, igniting the tarmac – and quite a few Instagram feeds at the same time…
A gourmet three course dinner was served at 8pm featuring a smoked salmon starter, a main of slow cooked beef and seasonal root vegetables and a refreshing fruit sorbet nestled next to a miniature meringue tart for pudding. As we ate and nursed glasses of fine wines, a live auction was held and we heard the inspirational story of Nathalie McGloin – a paralysed driving fan who fought against all odds to excel in her career as a racing driver.
After dinner, the real fun and frolics began, with the world’s-famous Gipsy Kings taking to the stage and getting the crowd to their feet. Numerous twirls and attempts at adventurous salsa moves later, DJ Seb Fontaine caused merry mayhem on the decks, as champagne-fuelled party-goers danced until the early hours.
I discovered on the night that GP Management organises money-can’t-buy experiences such as two days of luxury hospitality on a Monaco super yacht, hosted by F1 legend Eddie Jordan – who also wowed the crowd at the ball by playing the drums on stage – and rather interestingly, the spoons. The elite events brand can also arrange for you to visit Antarctica, fly in a fighter jet above a former communist air base in the Czech Republic, or give you the chance to drive in a Supercar Rally from London to Croatia.
The Grand Prix Ball 2018 was a true joy to attend. I danced voraciously to my favourite Gipsy Kings classics, got the Love Island goss from my fellow diners and posed shamelessly for photos against a plethora of supercars. Fun and frolics aside, it’s important to remember that this world-famous event has an important charity mission. It supports Wings for Life – an international, not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation, which funds research globally to help find a cure for spinal cord injury – a life-changing condition.
Bring on the Grand Prix Ball 2019…
