Drift it like Beckham, in a Maserati
David Beckham and the Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV. Photo: Maserati
Ah, I remember the encounter like it was yesterday; football legend David Beckham entering the Wellington hotel foyer with his huge bodyguard … with myself, and three elderly women pouncing on him to get photos!
This was in 2007 when his LA Galaxy team was in the Capital to play the Phoenix. David (I like to think we’re now on a first-name basis) was waiting to board the team bus … while fans and paparazzi were outside the hotel waiting to get a glimpse of Mr Posh Spice.
Despite being told by the huge bodyguard that there were no photos allowed, the three older women grabbed David and gave their camera to the bodyguard to get a shot. With the pensioners risking it all a photo, I simply followed suit and demanded a photo.
Of course I had to put my arm around David’s waist for the photo, it was going to be the only time I would be near to the football star.
How wrong I was. After the bodyguard (did I mention he was huge?) intervened, David moved aside, next to where I was on the computer in the foyer, searching for restaurants. We began chatting; about the hordes of fans and paps outside, what it must be like, and me suggesting some food he could try in New Zealand. Plus, as he was standing next to my handbag, I teased him that he couldn’t steal it for Posh! Oh, how we laughed. (Actually, at this stage I think he probably signalled his bodyguard to take him to the bus and away from this potential stalker).
Over the years I’ve written a few stories about Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice being a brand ambassador for Land Rover and had helped style one of the first Evoques.
So, it was with delight that a press release on my old pal Dave (I like to think that we’re on such good terms after all these years I can call him that) today. Old Davy is now a brand ambassador for Maserati, and is promoting the Levante Trofeo SUV.
Based in Miami, David is an owner of the Inter Miami CF football (sorry, make that soccer in the USA) team.
The Italian brand just announced that “David Beckham is the perfect partner to accompany Maserati on the next leg of its journey, breaking boundaries and driving the brand forward to the forefront of luxury motoring in the 21st century”.
Paolo Tubito, Maserati Chief Marketing Officer, commented: “The Brand is moving forward, inaugurated a new Era. Maserati is driven to challenge the status quo being innovative by nature, powered by passion, and unique by design. The partnership with David is the embodiment of all these values.”
David Beckham said: “It’s an exciting time for me to begin this partnership with Maserati; an iconic Italian brand which shares my appreciation for the very best innovation and design. I’m looking forward to working closely with the brand at such a pivotal time in their history and continuing their growth on a global scale.”
Maserati has filmed a video of David “performing an audacious act of driving in a Maserati, just for the sheer joy of doing the unexpected”.
Actually, it’s David under a dodgy underpass doing burnouts. I don’t think Posh would be happy when he got home with the smell of burning rubber on his fancy clothes.
PS. David, I still have the photo of you and me. xx
Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice and her Evoque. Photo: Range Rover
