It’s not a film, but imagine arriving at the Fiorano Circuit at around 10 in the morning. It’s all quiet and tranquil. The gate opens and they ask me where I’m going. I explain I’m looking for a quiet spot as a location for an upcoming photo shoot. Okay, they say, go ahead. They know I work on the Ferrari Magazine and they’re all well used to me poking about looking for unknown nooks and crannies.
But this time, not even I am ready for the surprise in store. You should know that you can’t see the track from the gate area because it’s elevated on an embankment just before the flyover. That means that there are a few service buildings in amongst the trees, including the gym. I take the little roadway that leads towards a thick hedge. It’s all so quiet and peaceful, I could be a hunter stalking my prey.
You can imagine my astonishment when, on the other side of the hedge, I spy the Formula 1 car sitting on a short stretch of asphalt in the shade of the acacia trees. It’s surrounded by about 20 mechanics and engineers, all dressed for the track, and about to do a pit-stop practice.
Now I know why their pit-stop times in the grands prix are getting so incredibly fast! They never stop training. They’ve even gone to the trouble of finding this quiet shady area so they can keep practicing out of the blistering July heat.
For the record, this kind of training session usually takes place in special area inside the Logistics pavilion. But in summer, it’s like an oven in there. Hence the idea of hiding way amid the trees. Good for them and an unexpected treat for the unwary visitor. But, of course, what really counts is the result!
PUBLISHED IN Editor's corner BY Antonio Ghini ON 07.24.2011
Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (www.ferrari.com)
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