08/02/2005
NEWS STORY
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The Mark Webber factor is creating enormous interest ahead of Melbourne’s 10th Formula One race – the opening round of the world championship in Melbourne on March 3-6.
Australian driver Mark Webber will have a head start when he arrives from Europe for the race, his first with the WilliamsF1 team.
The Mark Webber Supporters Club has made a giant replica of its hero's helmet. In fact, the 1.5-metre high helmet, made of fibreglass, is mounted on a cart.
The latest addition to the burgeoning group of Webber supporters in Australia is four-year-old Georgia Giles, of Armadale in Melbourne.
She has Ferrari blood in her veins – her grandfather, Donnino Marsili, and eight-year-old brother Jack are two of the staunchest Aussie fans of the Italian team – but it is Webber who now shares equal favouritism in Georgia's heart.
She got up close and personal with the giant Webber helmet as she 'drove' a BMW 'baby racer' at Albert Park.
Although Webber is talking of challenging seven-time world champion Schumacher now that he’s in a top team, his close associates vow that he won’t be getting a big head!