Winning formula

Fast cars + stylish shades = true teamwork

Ray-ban’s collaboration with Ferrari is a partnership of two brands at the top of their game: Ferrari Scuderia is the most successful Formula One team of all time, while Ray-ban is the world’s most popular eyewear label. Founded just 10 years apart, both brands hold design and craftsmanship central to their ethos.

When we met in Monaco last month, Ferrari’s team drivers – or ‘pilots’ as they prefer to be called – Kimi Räikkönen (below left, fondly known as‘ The Ice Man’, thanks to his unwavering nerve) and Sebastian Vettel (below right) were kitted out in their new sunglasses. It was just moments after the qualifying race and thankfully it was a Ferrari ‘one-two’ on the star ting g rid, so the mood was relaxed. We were there to celebrate the launch of the collaboration, a collection of eight styles, including re interpretations of classic Wayfarers and Aviators.

Räikkönen, reticent at first, said ,‘ I think it’s a cool brand. The quality is high. They are very light and comfortable. I think they are quite good-looking.’ I now have a better understanding about how he got his nickname – and it’s not just because of his nerve.

Details like the addition of stitched red leather ‘temple tips’ and Ferrari’s Mode na-yellow accents give a sporty quality, while the new carbon-fibre Liteforce f ra mes a re feat her weight. The collection is a riff on Ray-ban’ s winning shapes: the Wayfarer is given a squarer frame for the RB2448NM style, while the RB3548NM is a geometric take on a signature retro shape.

But what does a Formula 1 driver look for when choosing accessories? He has the world at his fingertips, after all. ‘I think the first thing is to do with the look ,’ explained Vet tel. ‘ It’ s like wit h women: you’ll probably go and buy a drink for a woman who you think is good-looking, and maybe she’s really nice. It’s the same with products. First of all you need to like the product and then you can try it forth equality; it needs to be comfortable.’

Monaco is all about style and luxury, so it was the perfect setting to unveil the collection. The following afternoon Ferrari steamed to a ‘one-two’ finish, its first in seven years, and the first Monte Carlo victor y since 2001. So, it seems, it’s not Red Bull, but Ray-ban that gives you wings. From £197, rayban.com.