TAG Heuer Australia New Zealand and Global Company CEO Jean-Christophe Babin hosted a spectacular event and party last night in Melbourne’s trendiest harbor development, where more than 300 media representatives, retailers and VIPs gathered to welcome and honor Brand ambassador and 2007 Formula 1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen. It was Kimi's first appearance since he became F1 world champion with his Ferrari F2007 in Sao Paolo last October. Kimi, who has been partnering TAG Heuer since 2002 in developing high-tech advanced design timepieces as well as sunglasses, arrived at the venue in grand style at the wheel of a brand-new 612 HP red Ferrari 599 GT. On his wrist was a Grand Carrera Calibre 17 Chronograph, perfectly matching the GT spirit of his red supercar. He was interviewed by two major TV channels and then attended a Press Conference where he was interviewed directly by TAG Heuer’s CEO.

After the media interviews, he joined the 300 guests and received a standing ovation, before being officially presented by Jean-Christophe Babin with the new Carrera Calibre 1, a model recently introduced to the media as one of the major product launches for 2008 and soon to be released on the markets. He left the venue with both timepieces on his wrists, aptly epitomizing the TAG Heuer’s innovative DNA inspired by contemporary GT cars and traditional mechanical timepieces.

Kimi will begin racing this Sunday in Melbourne with his new Ferrari F2008 and is looking to defend his world title against 21 other drivers including no less than 4 TAG Heuer brand ambassadors: Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen, Sébastien Bourdais and local hero Mark Webber. [2008 news ;)]