MIKE RUTHERFORD

"JUST AS LEWIS HAMILTON CAN BENEFIT FROM THE EQUIPMENT AND MEDICAL EXPERTISE AT FERRARI HQ, A LOCAL SCHOOLBOY CAN ALSO BE ACCOMMODATED"

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OF all the car makers I've visited, a tiny firm with a quirky, almost village-like atmosphere effortlessly stands out as the best, coolest and classiest.

How could I not be honoured and impressed to be invited to Ferrari's Maranello HQ-cum-factory, before being so warmly welcomed? My highlights included: a personal tour of Enzo Ferrari's frozen-in-time residence overlooking his secure test track where I witnessed the sound, sight and smell of a Formula One car driven in anger by a Ferrari test pilot; lunch at the 'works canteen' (Ristorante Cavallino, so good it has a Michelin Star); and an invitation (gratefully accepted) to drive whatever car I fancied from the production line. Best day of my working life? Probably.