Grapevine: Paddock Life - Imola edition

Former team boss Bernie Ecclestone, the team's chief designer Gordon Murray and team manager Herbie Blash were all presented with new Alpinestars-made light blue 'Martini Brabham' jackets at the packed gathering.

Ecclestone, whose tailor had been consulted to make sure his jacket was the right fit, said he was overjoyed about Martini's return to the sport. They had backed Brabham between 1975 and 1977 before moving to rallying and sportscars.

"They should not have stayed out of the sport so long," he said on stage, reflecting that F1 had changed a great deal in the time Martini had been away from the sport.

"In those days all the teams were together and if you were in trouble then the other teams would help. It was different in those days."

Martini pulled out some of its other stars for the event - including Ferrari's Jean Todt, former F1 driver Hans Stuck and rally stars Markku Alen and Miki Biasion

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve spent much of his early career saying he was bored of the comparisons with his father, but he made sure to join a presentation in the town of Imola on Thursday night where they have named a piazza after Gilles.

The Canadian attended the event with his mother Johanna, where a panel was erected at the square depicting a picture of Gilles and Enzo Ferrari sitting together in the pits at the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix - the last race before he was killed at Zolder.

"I'm always taken aback by the affection that this area has shown towards my father," said Villeneuve. "I feel the affection too."

Formula One drivers get their fair share of freebies, but Red Bull's four drivers must be pretty pleased with their latest perks - their very own Maserati Gransport road cars.

David Coulthard, Christian Klien, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed were delivered their 4.2-litre V8-powered cars at Imola on Thursday.

Not only did the drivers get to choose their own colours (Coulthard - touring grey, Klien - carbon black, Liuzzi - Mediterranean blue, Speed - world championship red) but they have each got personalized number plates.

In deference to the Salzburg dealer who has loaned them the cars for the year, Coulthard and Klien's plates are S RBR 14 and S RBR 15, with Liuzzi and Speed getting S STR 20 and S STR 21.

Williams driver Mark Webber is widely regarded as one of Formula One's more considerate men - so it was no surprise to find out that the Australian has just dug into his own pocket to help out a kids football team.

Webber, who is embarking on a charity trek through Tasmania later this season, was asked by former Jaguar truckie Kurt Kent whether he could help out his son's side - the Old Catton under-11 squad.

As expected Webber went the extra mile, buying the team their shirts and boots - and the assistance appeared to help as they went on to lift their local cup.