'Formula 1' Heiress Petra Ecclestone Files To Legally Change Her Kids' Names

Formula 1 heiress, Petra Ecclestone, is asking a judge to legally change her children's names to "Eccelstone" claiming her ex-husband is an "absentee father" who is subject to negative media attention.

According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, Petra filed the request in Los Angeles County Courts asking to remove her ex-husband's last name -- Stunt -- from all three of her children's names. The former couple shares two sons and one daughter -- Andrew, James, and Lavinia. Petra is the daughter of F1 tycoon Bernie Ecclestone. 

In the request, Petra claims the reason for the name changes is "to conform children's last name to mother's last name (difficult in both daily life and traveling with children with a different name to mother) and change and remove the last name of an absentee father who is subject to regular negative media and tabloid articles and criminal investigation."

It should be noted, Petra gives zero details of her allegations against her ex-husband -- James Stunt -- who has yet to respond to this request. According to reports, James is awaiting trial for "money laundering, forgery, and racially abusing a black police officer." Eccelstone's ex-husband has denied the allegations.

James Stunt is reportedly dating a new woman, Helena Robinson, and was spotted sporting a gold ring around his finger. Petra's ex-husband credits Robinson for straightening out his life, saying, "She saved my life – and is even willing to let me fake credit for my children's Lego. I've never met anyone more beautiful, on the inside and out..." Adding, "She is my Helena of Troy. She saved my life when people who have known me my entire life didn’t lift a finger. She got me off drugs and lit the fire in my soul once again."

According to reports, Petra's father touched on his daughter's ex-husband's drug use while trading jabs with him during the ongoing divorce. "He got heavily into drugs and that has changed him and they have taken their toll. It is a great shame as James was a nice man when he got married. I hope he stands out as an example to young people who can see the damage that drugs can do," Bernie said.

Stunt reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement that included a $16 million payout, but it's unclear if keeping the children's last names is included in any legal documents. While together, the couple bought the largest home in L.A. County -- and formally owned by Aaron Spelling. In 2019, the house was sold to an anonymous buyer for $120 million.

At this point, James will have the opportunity to fight the name changes for his children -- and answer the allegations of being an "absentee father."  Unfortunately for Eccelstone, it is going to be an uphill battle to change the names of your children, just because you don't like the media coverage of their father.

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