From 2005 to today, PUMA and Scuderia Ferrari celebrated their two-decade milestone in Maranello, a partnership that has become a bold imprint in the contemporary sports imagination. Surrounded by the striking ASTG Building and mesmerized by the futuristic Hypercar designs and legendary single-seaters, we had the honor of joining an invaluable family reunion, painted in Rosso.

Timeless champions and young heirs. Contemporary masters and revolutionary professionals. At this elegant celebration, marked by Italy’s ‘Cavallino Rampante’ and the German feline, we spoke with key figures from Ferrari’s world, gathering insights, memories, and even profound emotions. Dancing between past and present, both individual and collective, we grasped the cultural significance of this Scuderia, the cornerstones of the new Hamilton-LeClerc era, the reasons behind its glorious resurgence in the Endurance universe, and the shared genetic code that unites the entire Ferrari family.

The voices we captured: Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal and GM of Ferrari; Jean Alesi, a legend of the ‘Rosso’ wheel; Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Endurance and mastermind behind Ferrari’s new, dazzling direction in the sector, which includes historic triumphs like the 2023 and 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours double; Pier Guidi and Giancarlo Fisichella, noble drivers who played key roles in the recent endurance success.

Frédéric Vasseur on his motorsport childhood and the Hamilton-Leclerc duo

“When I began studying at the École supérieure des techniques aéronautiques et de construction automobile, I was already running my own team in Formula Renault. In the early ’90s, I juggled both work and study, already deeply embedded in the system. My sole focus was on winning the next race. I then moved to Formula 3, and even at that point, I wasn’t thinking about Formula 2; I was all about winning in the moment. After a couple of successful seasons, I started to think about taking the next step. I’ve always enjoyed the environments I’ve worked in, and the only reason I would leave them was the promise of better overall conditions. I’ve stuck to that philosophy throughout my journey. Once you’re part of the racing world, your thoughts inevitably turn to Ferrari. Honestly, in the past, I never imagined a future with this team—I only dreamed of being a part of it.

Managing champions like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is not so hard. I think sometimes it’s easier to manage drivers like them than those further down the grid. I have a long personal relationship with both. I’ve known Charles for 14 years, and Lewis for over 20. What helps me a lot is that I started working with them before they reached this level of status. I don’t consider myself a father figure to them; we don’t have that kind of relationship. But it’s true, I remember them as kids. Today, I could be their father—I could even be the grandfather of some drivers. Even for a seven-time world champion, starting at a new team can be difficult. You need to get used to new software, new processes, and the characteristics of what’s around you. With Lewis, we’ve shared opinions from day one. I’m confident that Charles will also benefit from his presence. On one hand, he’ll feel relieved of some pressure, and on the other, he’ll learn new things from a true professional.

Hamilton and Leclerc are champions with the right enthusiasm and motivation. They are demanding, pushing the entire team to its limits. I believe in the internal competition and the emulation process that naturally arises between drivers and the team because performance is born from this. When you’re in this business, your first comparison is with your teammate; it drives you to compete every session. This has been the case in recent seasons, and it must continue in the next one. We have room to improve in every area, but every team is in the same situation. It’s not just about the potential of the car, but what you do with it. It will be a long battle, starting with circuits that offer grip and temperatures that are extremely different. After the first five Grand Prix, we’ll have a clear picture of the situation.”

Jean Alesi on the Ferrari Family and the Formula for the Perfect Driver

“For me, joining Ferrari was something truly monumental. I had been in F1 for only a year and a half, and I found myself with a legendary teammate like Alain Prost… Then, the Ferrari effect is something you can’t even explain. The ‘Cavallino’ is everything to me. I was a fan as a child, I was one as a driver, and I remain one. It’s not just my beloved Scuderia, it’s my family.

As a driver, Ferrari gives you an added ‘planetary power.’ We see this with a seven-time world champion like Hamilton: he arrived in Maranello with an already massive level of popularity, and yet it seems to have doubled. There’s a following and a passion here that you can’t find anywhere else, even if you’ve won races and championships. The secret to handling this pressure is to remain the person you are. The F1 world can change you. If Ferrari has chosen you, it means the qualities you’ve shown up until that point have been appreciated. You don’t need to change them, you must seize the enormous opportunity, making it your own and working in the best way possible. I think I’ve done that since my debut in ’89 until today…”

Antonello Coletta on the Culture of the ‘Cavallino Rampante’ and Endurance Excellence

“I’ve spent my whole life in motorsports, starting at the age of 10. I raced until I was 20, then I stopped, dreaming of staying in the field. My journey began in Formula 3, then I worked with Peugeot and Alfa Romeo, and in 1997, I joined Ferrari. I’m proud of this long relationship; it’s rare in any company, especially in motorsport. I believe passion played a crucial role in this decision. When opportunities arose, I did everything I could to stay the course. Not only because I always wanted to bring Ferrari back into Endurance racing, to win, but also because of the company’s culture. To achieve certain results, you need to understand the working environment, and try to redirect it when it’s not aligning with the history or values of the company. My goal, in my own small way, has always been to carry forward this philosophy, respecting and nurturing the Ferrari myth, while always keeping in mind our Founder.

When I stood on the podium at Le Mans, after more than half a century, everything passed before me. Without the efforts of a united team, made up of great people, you cannot achieve such a result. In those moments, you process this and much more, and you truly realize what has been accomplished. In 2023, we returned to compete and win, and the following year we even placed two cars on the podium, with a 1st and 3rd place finish. It was even more beautiful: a confirmation of the strength of our project. Honestly, I never dreamed I would be where I am today. Of course, I hoped to reach the top of any team, but I never imagined Ferrari. It’s an incomparable satisfaction, one that also carries an enormous responsibility. We represent one of the most famous brands in the world, the most renowned in motorsport… I try to do my best with the utmost respect, passion, and sense of duty.

The factor that has helped me the most in this profession is having a background as a professional driver. I can recognize the thoughts that cross a driver’s mind or identify technical issues that may arise: the combination of these elements helps me avoid making hasty decisions, to reflect, and to remain calm in moments when, following only my instincts, I could make wrong choices. Constant collaboration with my team is essential. And so is calmness. In a rush, mistakes are made, and nowadays, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to recover them within a race. In today’s world, a 24-hour race can end with the top 10 cars within 50 seconds. It’s no longer like it used to be. You can’t let your emotions take over.”

Pier Guidi on the soul of every car and the successes at Le Mans

“My entire life is tied to cars. It’s what I started doing as a child, with go-karts, and then climbing all the way up to the HyperCar, the most important car I’ve driven to date. Like many other drivers, I’ve always felt a special connection with the cars, especially those with which you feel a particular bond. They stop being objects, and become like companions in life. Sometimes, you even talk to them. People outside this world might struggle to understand, but for us, they have a soul.

As a kid, I always followed Endurance racing just as much as F1. Both were regular appointments for me and my father. My journey obviously passed through single-seaters, then they asked me to race with closed-wheel cars. I hesitated, but it seemed like the best choice, and it opened up an incredible career, which led me here. It’s a matter of sliding doors, of luck. Everyone wants to race for Ferrari: children draw red cars, they are the dream of anyone. Bringing the ‘Cavallino’ back to Le Mans after over half a century and winning on the first try was a great feat… We worked tirelessly to make it happen, day and night, even on Sundays, to put a competitive car on the track. That achievement carries with it a sense of fulfillment built through collective effort.”

Giancarlo Fisichella on the relationship with the asphalt and its evolution

“Every child dreams of making it to F1 and Ferrari, especially an Italian child… My dreams came true, I couldn’t ask for more. Considering where I came from, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and the milestones I’ve reached. And I’m happy to be part of the Ferrari family since 2009. Throughout my career, I always believed that being a driver also means being a team player. I’ve always been ready to support my teammates and the team. In my 14 years in F1, I might have won more if I’d had a different mindset, but I’m satisfied with what I accomplished, the great individual results, and the various constructors’ championships I helped win.

What Formula 1 gives you, nothing else can. But joining the Endurance world and winning a 24 Hours of Le Mans is something equally unique. These are beautiful, fascinating races to watch or be part of. Recently, the level of teams, cars, and drivers has grown tremendously. These races are grueling; 24 hours of qualifying tests you both physically and mentally: it’s this combination that makes the difference.

I still love the scent of the asphalt. It’s the first thing I smell when I arrive at the track: the gasoline, the tires, the brakes, the clutches… When I’m away from the circuits for a longer period, I miss their scent. That’s why ‘The Scent of Asphalt’ is the title of my book. It’s what has always welcomed me. It’s what has always made me understand what I wanted.”