Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Marc Gené inaugurate the first Ferrari Store in Spain

Barcelona, 19 May – The first Ferrari Store on Spanish soil was officially opened today at number 44 Paseo de Gracia in the heart of Barcelona. Watched by a large crowd of Ferrari enthusiasts, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Marc Gené cut the ribbon on the new Store. Also present at the opening was Lorenzo Bassetti, the General Manager of ARP, already partner of Ferrari with numerous other stores.

Alonso and Massa’s arrival in the new FF received a rapturous welcome from the tifosi and enthusiasts gathered outside the Store. At the end of the ceremony, the drivers posed for the dozens of photographers and TV cameras covering the event. However, before leaving for the circuit, they also met with the media and a select number of Ferrari clients inside the Store, but stopped off to sign autographs and greet the delighted fans that had been waiting for them since the early hours of the morning.

The Barcelona Ferrari Store, with its around 300 square metres on two floors, embraces the Ferrari spirit with its dual heart in competition and luxury. Its four great windows are facing one of the most important shopping streets in Barcelona. Inside, the new Store’s different areas have been planned like unique and special spaces: the Fan line, dedicated to the fans of the Scuderia, is presented on the ground floor. The luxury and lifestyle lines, stylish men’s, women’s and kid’s clothing - reflecting the values of craftsmanship and quality of the world of Ferrari, interpreted in a contemporary way - can be found on the upper floor. A selection of different items topped off with accessories, technology and memorabilia, original components, unique and certified by Ferrari GT and F1.

Graphic works and images accompany the clients on their way through the Store, narrating the history of the Prancing Horse. The interior design picks up the dynamic and sinuous forms of the road cars, while the important aspect of energy conservation has been implemented by using LEDs of the latest generation for the Store’s lighting.

The shop in Barcelona is the 46th point of sale Ferrari in the world, and joins others in prestigious locations such as Rome, New York, London, Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi. The Store is managed by ARP, Advanced Retail Project, operating in the retail sector in Italy and all over the world.


Source: Ferrari.com

Interview with Marc Gené: I could race with Kimi and Loeb in 2012

Peugeot have unveiled their team for the 24h of Le Mans. It has the same line-up as last season, a line-up where the Spaniard Marc Gené is one of the main stars

What’s different this season in Le Mans?
Unfortunately, the V12 engines have been banned and now we have 150-200 less horsepower. But we have improved the aerodynamics, chassis and ergonomics, so the car has a very similar behavior to a Formula 1. But Audi will also have a new car and, as always, we will have to take them into consideration. We will also have to see where the “gasoline” Aston Martin will be with the new rules. We would like to forget what happened last year. We were the fastest, but you know what happened.

What about the chance of racing with Räikkönen and Loeb?
It is something very logical, and it could happen in 2012. I had already been told, that if Loeb had raced (in 2011) we would have been team-mates, because we have already worked together in the past, and because he’s out of the ordinary. If Kimi also comes, well, I’m the one who knows him the best. As a matter of fact, he has asked me several times about Le Mans and I have told him that this is the most beautiful race in the world. He’s a very fast driver and he would fit perfectly, as Loeb also would, but we will have to wait until he (Loeb) retires from rallying as rumors say.

What does Alonso think about the new Ferrari?
In the racing world, if you do the best time, that’s indicative. It’s easy to see that the new car was well born, it gives good results and it is reliable. I don’t have much more information about that, but I have a good feeling after what we’ve seen in Valencia.

Source: AS.com
Courtesy: Mar

Vettel penalty 'was disproportionate' - Marc Gene

Sebastian Vettel should not have been penalised for losing control at Spa-Francorchamps.

That is the opinion of an unlikely supporter of the 23-year-old Red Bull driver: Marc Gene.

Spaniard Gene is Ferrari's occasional test driver, who said the drive-through penalty after Vettel crashed into Jenson Button on Sunday "was totally disproportionate".

"It is true that he was too aggressive, but for there to be a penalty ... he did nothing wrong, it was an incident of the race," Gene wrote in his El Mundo newspaper column.

Niki Lauda's is a harsher critique, predicting that one more mistake for the young German will end his 2010 title chances.

"You're an absolute super-talent but you've taken excessive risks," the former triple world champion wrote in Bild newspaper.

"One more mistake and your world championship will be over. Then you will have to drive for your teammate, which would be the ultimate penalty," said Lauda.

He thinks Vettel is struggling with the pressure.

"You're in the fastest car," Lauda said, addressing Vettel personally. "The pressure can be paralysing, because everyone expects you to be in front and everything else is a disappointment."

Lewis Hamilton, who according to British commentator Martin Brundle is driving better today than in his championship year in 2008, said Vettel's lack of experience is showing.

"The older I get, the more I understand about experience. Mark (Webber) is a very mature man and that definitely helps," said the McLaren driver.

David Coulthard advises his Red Bull successor Vettel to get used to the criticism, observing that "the knives seem to be out for him" now.

"I want to make it clear I am not trying to excuse Sebastian's recent high-profile errors," he wrote in the Telegraph.

"I see a young man who is suffering from his first spell of growing pains," added the veteran of almost 250 races.

"I am not excusing them (the mistakes) - as I have said before, F1 is no finishing school - I'm just saying they are understandable," said Coulthard.

Source: F1 Complete