A second place in Monaco for Vettel, hero worship for Leclerc in Monaco, can’t say life has not been hectic. In fact Charlot-as the locals called him- has been very good for business, all No 16 T shirts have been sold-there were lots of happy sellers in Monaco over the weekend .
A weekend which had everything from gloom over my old friend Niki to silliness with Mrs Kardashian parading up and down the pitlane. If you had chance to listen to FORZA’s podcast you will have heard two points of view -I thought
It was very exciting, Editor Jenkins saw it otherwise.The way a more mature Verstappen was chasing 5 times champion Hamilton all there way was fascinating. No doubt in my mind that he and Leclerc will be racing each other for many years to come.
The annual reception at the Palace was great as always with Prince Albert in tremendous form. The traditional MYYacht group party was very well attended with several astronauts present. Those people are fascinating and their new project about space travel are very exciting indeed.
But there was more excitement ahead. First the journey under impossible conditions from Monaco to Opera Due-a very special small hotel near the factory. My daughter Annabelle did as superb job in the pouring rain. All credit to her and to the excellent-truly excellent- Maserati Levante. This Italian SUV is a worthy rival to Lambo’s URUS and to Porsche’s Cayenne. Never missed a beat.
There was more excitement to follow as Ferrari have invited me not just to drive a Pista but also to the World Premiere of their new SF90 Stradale. This is their very first 1000 (!!!) horsepower car and just to sit in it was a very special experience. As we all had to hand in all cameras bearing in mind the embargo you will have to trust me. The steering wheel itself is a work of art. Loved the manettino is now featuring colors with blue at one end and red at the other.
Having just arrived from Monaco and having spent some time with the team it was mesmerizing to see Set Vettel and Charles Leclerc blazing round Fiorano in this truly stunning looking car smiling, laughing and cracking jokes.
Easy when you are F1 drivers.. The 90 degree V8 turbo-voted engine of the year for the last 4 years- delivers 780 cv the rest coming from three electric motors straight from Formula One.
The SF Stradale is the first Ferrari to be equipped with 4WD, a step necessary to allow the driver to put all the power on the road. If he has the courage..0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds is not fore the faint hearted and reaching 200 km/h in 6.7 seconds is truly mind-blowing.
Reading between the lines I think that in a way the Stradale in a test bed for the first ever Ferrari SUV which is very much in the works. Just think about it-AWD, hybrid, lots of horsepower-hello first ever SUV. Quite soon I think.
I have asked on FORZA’s behalf about delivery in the United States, apparently next year.
There is of course tons more but I wanted to share it with you as soon as possible and without breaking the embargo.
Enjoy. Andrew Frankl, Grand Prix Editor- FORZA. Fiorano, Italy.
Enjoy. Andrew Frankl, Grand Prix Editor- FORZA. Fiorano, Italy.
