Bertelli is representing Italy and racing a team under his own name. Funds are not a problem: Forbes estimates his mother's worth at US$6.8 billion ($8.5 billion). Miuccia, the granddaughter of company founder Mario Prada, runs the company with her husband, Patrizio, who is chief executive and estimated to be worth US$3.7 billion in his own right.
Lorenzo and his younger brother Giulio have not followed their parents into the family firm. In an 2009 interview with Woman's Wear Daily, Patrizio suggested his sons might come into the company at some point. "But if they do, they will start out as warehouse keepers," he said.
Evidently fashion did not beckon. Both sons have marked out careers in glamour sports - Lorenzo in rally car racing; Giulio in world-class sailing. He works for his father's America's Cup sailing team, Luna Rossa.
Bertelli will drive a Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the rally over roads in Northland, Kaipara, Auckland, Te Akau and Raglan.
His co-driver, Italian Lorenzo Granai, who has been with him only a year, is part of a team that includes mentor Piero Liatti, a WRC veteran.
Bertelli's rally-driving career began only two years ago and many wonder how far he will go. "It's very interesting," a source said. "One wonders what his motivation is to get in at [WRC] world level."
Not much is known of the young Bertelli. Media reps say his career is just taking off and there's little information on his private life. Where he is staying while in New Zealand has been kept discreet.
Bertelli's WRC racing has, so far this year, taken him to Monaco, Portugal, Argentina and Greece. He has nominated himself to complete six out of eight events in the WRC calendar and all eyes are on him.
With famous parents and a fashion empire worth billions to live up to, admiration must be granted to the young Bertelli, who is trying to carve out his own future on our dusty roads.
STILL FRIENDS
Rumours that best friends Julie Christie and April Ieremia have had a bust up "are not true" the TV producer told The Diary yesterday.
Christie said she would always be close to Ieremia, but admitted the pair were no longer working together.
"April is freelancing," she said.
Ieremia, who used to provide voiceovers and front shows on Christie's popular Living and Food networks, is now a free agent.
"April's looking for all sorts of opportunities," said Choice TV general manager Alex Breingan.
Ieremia did not return calls.
Breingan, a former Christie employee, jumped ship to fledgling network Choice TV with Julia Baylis, the former head of programming and acquisitions at the Living Channel.
They joined Vincent Burke and Laurie Clarke from Top Shelf Productions, owners of Choice TV.
"April's not fronting any shows for Choice - yet," Breingan said sounding hopeful. "But our intention is to get into local production."
Choice TV was launched in April on the Freeview platform, but from September 1 will be available on Sky on Channel 78. It will be going up against Christie's lifestyle and entertainment shows but she isn't fazed. She's behind ratings winner The GC and is producing the highly anticipated The Block for TV3, which premieres on July 4.
BOXING-RING BRAVADO
TV3 political editor Duncan Garner, who will exit the gallery in December and move to Auckland and RadioLive, is being tipped as a possible contender in the Fight for Life ring later this year.
Garner, who put out a challenge to Michael Laws for a boxing bout but was rejected, would no doubt be keen to battle with a prominent politician as a farewell to his political life.
And there's probably plenty of pollies willing to sock one to Garner after years of keeping them honest. Although we're not sure how many would actually have the goods to go up against the burly TV3 star in the ring. Our money is on Clayton Cosgrove or Trevor Mallard.
KIWI CHARITY KING
More than 1000 chief executives around Australia huddled in sleeping bags last night for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society's work with the homeless.
More than A$3.6 million ($4.58 million) was raised with Commonwealth Bank boss Ian Narev - an ex-pat New Zealander - coming in as New South Wales' top fundraiser. Narev, who replaced Kiwi Sir Ralph Norris at the bank, raised more than A$112,000.
He swapped his cosy bed for a night in Redfern's Carriageworks with a survival guide consisting of a beanie, sleeping bag, sheet of cardboard, soup, bread roll and a hot drink.
APN chief executive officer Brett Chenoweth huddled in the Carriageworks too, raising A$8175.
BATTLERS OF THE BLOCK REVEALED
Julie Christie's renovation series The Block has four couples competing to renovate four run-down houses in Takapuna to sell them at the highest price.
They include a Hamilton student and a landscape designer, an intensive-care nurse and an electrical linesman, an Auckland marketing manager and his sister from Christchurch and a Wellington radio producer and a bricklayer/musician.
The Block is one of Australia's highest-rating shows and the Kiwi version is expected to pull in the viewers, too. Mark Richardson and Shannon Ryan will host the DIY show and watch over the couples, who have to take leave from their jobs and lives and live in the houses while they renovate them.
A string of celebrities will play guest judges each episode, The Diary understands. Sources say fashion designer Denise L'Estrange-Corbet may be one who lends her expertise in an upcoming episode.
