The trip from Monaco to Maranello in Maserati's finest is
always a treat and also a prelude to what we should expect in Italy's motoring
Mecca. The F12 was waiting inside the gates as promised and we were looking
forward to a quick blast to the Med. Forte dei Marmi. Instead we got as far as
Abetone in a snowstorm. The locals were a bit puzzled as they were clearly not
expecting a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, worth between them a good 600 thousand
dollars. Not mentioning over 1400 horses from the two. The full story will have
to wait for FORZA but let me assure you that good, dare I say great cars will
get you to your destination come rain come shine.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the latest
Quattroporte which is a serious piece of machinery. Elegant to the nth degree
it has a presence that makes BMWs and Mercedes look positively pedestrian and
dull. You only have to come up behind other cars, the drivers take one look and
the strada opens up a bit like the Red Sea. Is it perfect? No. The gearbox is
not intuitive but once you are on the road it is just fine. Cruising at 100
miles per hour the noise level is minimal and the fun factor is 100 per cent.
I hate to finish on sad note but I have to pay tribute to
the Marshall who lost his life in Canada during the Grand Prix. These
volunteers work 12 hour days, take their own sandwiches and do a superb job for
the love of the sport. I do hope that the extremely well paid drivers will
reach into their pockets and made major donation to the family.
http://www.franklyfrankl.com
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