MARANELLO MEMORIES

Like a marriage, our relationship with Ferrari has had its ups and downs over the years...

Tom Ford: ‘Road of Death’ in a 599

If driving a Ferrari 599 mostly off-road across Ecuador wasn’t enough, try negotiating the infamous Andean ‘Road of Death’ (basically a 180m cliff with a car-width, barrierless road stitched into the side) while suffering from intestinal issues from eating a local delicacy: guinea pig. It’s not the kind of thing you forget in a hurry. The food or the drive.

Jason Barlow: Queensberry rules

Ferrari is a company with a powerful origin story, and many plot twists. I’d met former CEO Luca Montezemolo a few times, but nothing prepared me for the moment I found myself sandwiched between LM and the man who ousted him, the late Sergio Marchionne, backstage at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. It was like being a referee at the world’s most elegant prize fight.

Chris Harris: late night travel

South of Lyon, it’s late – so late the roads are empty and the 512 TR is running like a racehorse, temps are good and the cold night air makes it feel even faster. I remember the weak red glow of the clock faces, the flat 12 yowl at high revs and punching hard for miles. Always glancing left to see the snoozing boy in the child seat next to me. He’s 11 now, and loves Leclerc. The Scuderia gets into your blood.

Ollie Marriage: cigars and cognac

A rehearsal for the F12 launch. All seven key engineers and just me. The technical briefing was still three hours, but after we did dinner at the Montana. Very convivial – there were toasts and cigars, gossip and secrets. The next day I did 500 miles in the mighty, wailing F12. I was late getting back for a chat with the CEO. I anticipated disapproval, but was offered cognac. Reader, I partook.

Paul Horrell: the bear necessities

At the 458 Speciale launch, I interviewed Luca Montezemolo. “You are looking old,” he began. Well, I’d known him a long time. So I showed a phone photo of my daughter, five at the time: “She keeps me young.” Interview done, I drove the car, returning to Maranello where a staffer handed me this teddy bear. A gift from the boss. Aaaaa.

Rowan Horncastle: spin with style

Spinning at Fiorano isn’t ideal. Spinning at Fiorano through the fast fourth gear lefthander before the bridge certainly isn’t ideal. Doing both of these things with Ferrari’s test driver Raffaele de Simone sat next to you is pretty much nightmare fuel. “You avva very quick handz” he said as I gathered up a 488 shaped tank slapper. New pants, please.