Ah, the perks of being a Ferrari driver.
At Renault, Fernando Alonso used to drive a Megane. Now he’s joined the Scuderia he can have something a tad more elegant.
As Ferrari and Maserati share the same owner, Fiat, Alonso has opted for this Maserati GranCabrio, finished to his specification in Grigio Granito (grey) with a Pearl Beige and Bordeaux interior and a matching soft-top roof.
I had the fortune to sample its 4.7-litre, 440bhp V8 engine in a Maserati Quattroporte once – it has a wonderful, earthy bellow and is magic for overtaking. Felipe Massa got one of these saloons when he joined Ferrari.
Alonso’s not the only F1 driver expecting a new road car soon – Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will both be getting McLaren’s new MP4-12C supercar once it goes on sale.
In his McLaren days Alonso had a limited-edition Mercedes SLR McLaren 722. See below for more.
Read more: F1 drivers’ road cars
Tombong
22nd March 2010, 11:53
From Megane to Gran Cabrio… hmmmm
Tombong
22nd March 2010, 12:10
He is already given the 458 Italia!!
http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/2895/fernando-alonsos-ferrari-458-italia-spy-pics
Bartholomew
22nd March 2010, 13:25
I dont really like the 458 too much, and even less in white. The colours chosen for the Maserati are a little “pimp-ish”.
I think the nicest car that Alonso owns, by far, is the SLR MM. This might be the most beautiful car ever made !
If I were Alonso, I would look forward to a second career in the U.S. driving some type of Chrysler racing car. It is the same company — will we see Fast Fred at Indy one day ?
Roger Carballo AKA Architrion
22nd March 2010, 13:27
Nope… the most beautiful car ever made is Ferrari F-40…. hands down
his_majesty
22nd March 2010, 14:00
You’ve got to go farther back than 1988 for the best car. You need to go back before they were too concerned about where the air goes. look up the alfa Tippo 33 stradale. Or the Bugatti type 57s atlantic. I’ve driven some beautiful women around in beautiful cars and had beautiful times with those women in those cars, ha ah.
DanThorn
22nd March 2010, 14:51
Cars stopped being truly elegant in the early 70’s. The Alfa T33 has long been one of my favourites, but I think this has to be the prettiest car ever: The Ferrari 250GT Lusso. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Ferrari_250_GT_Lusso_Berlinetta.jpg
Bartholomew
22nd March 2010, 15:47
The 250 Lusso that Dan shows is difficult to beat. Steve McQueen I believe had one.
I personally like the original Jaguar sports car, and also adore Triumph bikes of the 60s
VitaRedux
22nd March 2010, 20:08
I’m always late to these blogs. Anyway for what it worth I reckon (almost) anything by Pininfarina is gonna look stunning: http://www.oobject.com/category/classic-pininfarina-designs/.
Personally I like the Rolls Royce Hyperion (not on that page).
Oh and I’ve also got a thing for the Shelby Mustang, but thats a very different kind of taste.
ajokay
22nd March 2010, 12:15
Alright for some, I guess.
Maybe they should all just drive these every second Sunday.
Icthyes
22nd March 2010, 12:21
The look on Alonso’s face in the second picture is exactly how my (bit of a poser) brother would look if he was given one of those!
I hope and think Nando will have lots of fun in it!
cyanide
22nd March 2010, 12:50
The things I would do to that car…….
BarneyDaGumble
22nd March 2010, 12:54
Ha ha, oh dear! Funniest mistake ever!
RandomChimp
22nd March 2010, 16:43
Hpw do you know it was a mistake? :)
cyanide
22nd March 2010, 12:50
The things I would do to GET* that car….. :D
BarneyDaGumble
22nd March 2010, 13:04
I pass a Maserati in Newcastle on my way to Uni all the time. It’s nice, but Maserati’s don’t have the same aura as Ferrari’s.
Also, a bit off topic, but I heard once that from a financial perspective there is little need for Ferrari to be in F1, they sell enough cars as it is, and that what FIAT should do to is change their name to Maserati to boost their sales. Obviosuly, renaming Ferrari is easier said than done, but who knows what the future may bring…
Jules Bianchi will win the 2016 F1 championship in a Maserati. You heard it here first!
steph
22nd March 2010, 14:17
We have white vans at our uni. Think I made a really big mistake with my ucas form.
You might be right about Jules but I think Ferrari will pretty much always (unless something goes hoprribly wrong internally) stay with F1 nor will they ever give up their proud name :P
BarneyDaGumble
22nd March 2010, 14:58
It’s typical of Jesmond, it’s a money place. A few Newcastle United players live there as well. I’ve seen two Ferrari’s, a Maserati, an Aston Martin and a Porsche.
And I doubt the Ferrari will name will change too. I respect Ferrari for staying in F1 even though they though it would make more financial sense to use the Maserati name instead. I suppose it goes back to the old argument- does F1 need Ferrari, or does Ferrari need F1?
steph
22nd March 2010, 17:15
“does F1 need Ferrari, or does Ferrari need F1”
Ferrari needs F1. F1 doesn’t need Ferrari but it benefits greatly from having a team like Ferrari who has always been in the sport.
Oh and start taking a camera with you to uni Barney so we can all see these nice cars! :P
“I thought its the other way round. They sell cars to so racing. At least that is what Enzo, the founder of the company told”
Ferrari did do this and existed solely to race but because of their fame due to f1 probably it isn’t surprising if they’re making so much more esp after the Schumi years and building up that brand/relationship. They may sell more but their real passion is still F1 in my opinion.
Mouse_Nightshirt
23rd March 2010, 0:23
Go to Gosforth or Darras Hall to see a serious number of flash cars. Jesmond is pennies quarter compared to Darras Hall.
Rits
22nd March 2010, 21:15
And we had brighton & hove buses at ours!!! LOL…
I think Maseratis are a bit more exclusive than Ferraris.. tht’s what I feel.. maybe ‘cos I see a lot of Ferraris but very rare to spot a Maserati (not the saloon)..
Farrokh Bomi Bulsara
22nd March 2010, 14:56
I thought its the other way round. They sell cars to so racing. At least that is what Enzo, the founder of the company told us.
But Ferrari have changed so much ever since that lunatic LDM took over.
BarneyDaGumble
22nd March 2010, 15:04
Apparently the Ferrari brand is so strong that it doesn’t need the publicity F1 brings to hit its sale targets. Maserati, on the other hand, sell (relatively) cheap cars in far greater numbers, so it would make sense for them to take over the team to try and promote their company and sell as many cars as possible
Farrokh Bomi Bulsara
22nd March 2010, 15:31
I thinks its for their own good that Ferrari split away from FIAT. I say that because FIAT sells some of the worst brands in the auto sector like the Uno & Palio.
Surely Ferrari wouldn’t want to be bracketed in the same list.
Dan M
22nd March 2010, 17:00
What if Fiat brought in a customer team similar to RBR and TRR.
Rishi
22nd March 2010, 17:02
FYI FIAT owns Ferrari.. And I am quite a fan of their cars especially the Palio 1.6 GT and the Punto Turbojet. They are I think the most powerful small cars I have driven and owned in that category.
BarneyDaGumble
22nd March 2010, 17:24
Dan M- Ferrari have been going on an awful lot about renting out a third car to a customer team- perhaps you’ve just stumbled upon the reason why. Mabye they’re looking to run a 3rd car as Maserati/ FIAT/ some other Italian brand
DamionShadows
22nd March 2010, 22:00
I think it’s ironic that some of the greatest performance brands in automotive history are owned by the greatest non-performance brands, such as Fiat-Ferrari and Maserati, as well as Volkswagen- Lamborghini, Audi, and Bugatti.
Icthyes
23rd March 2010, 1:52
And to think I spent all that time in Rowlands Gill looking at people carriers, when I could see Maseratis instead!
Osvaldas
22nd March 2010, 13:07
Personally for me this Maserati is one of the most beautiful cars in the world.
BasCB
22nd March 2010, 13:33
Alonso looks happy to be driving around in his Massa!
So a maserati for his first win, then what will he get for the championship?
Personally I would like to be with Lewis and Jenson getting their hands on a McLaren MP4-12C. What about Schumacher, did he get his special edition Mercedes Gull wing?
cyanide
22nd March 2010, 13:36
A Special Ferrari FXX, I presume. Or perhaps the hypercar that’s coming out to replace the Enzo.
LewisC
22nd March 2010, 21:03
If you saw the black FXX featured on Top Gear a little while ago, that was Schumacher’s.
Calum
22nd March 2010, 18:42
Doesn’t Ron Dennis want to give an orange Mclaren F1 lm if he wins another 2 titles?
newnhamlea1
22nd March 2010, 21:13
yeas i beleive that is true.
steph
22nd March 2010, 14:19
Beautiful car! So many possibilities but I think he made the perfect choice. Once saw a Gran Turismo in Rome and I nearly melted.
Farrokh Bomi Bulsara
22nd March 2010, 14:25
What does Kubika get?
A Lada?
http://judey.dasmirnov.net/lada.jpg
Mike
22nd March 2010, 17:32
Hey don’t bag it till you try it, ^^
DanThorn
22nd March 2010, 14:59
I’ve never really liked Maserati’s, the Sebring was quite pretty and the Ghibli Spyder (http://www.maserati.org.au/images/MaseratiPhotos/ROAD_Cars/Ghibli_Spyder/Ghibli_spyder_wsc1.jpg) is one of the most beautiful cars ever, but other than those, I can take em or leave em.
steph
22nd March 2010, 17:25
I much prefer older models. I really quite liked the Gran Turismo but thought the Quattroporte was pretty dreary and lacked a bit of passion. Alfa’s tend to be my fave cars.
Thanks for these picture links Dan :)
Julie
22nd March 2010, 15:15
I love the GranCabrio! I suspect Alonso gets the pick of any Ferrari/Maserati he fancies.
Farrokh Bomi Bulsara
22nd March 2010, 16:11
Does anyone drive a delorean dmc-12?
Calum
22nd March 2010, 16:13
Dam, I want one! The cap that is! However the Ferrari shop and online stores don’t have any yet :( Car ain’t to shabby either, although I would have opted for a top of the range Fezza!
Tombong
22nd March 2010, 22:39
This year Ferrari’s cap look really rubbish to me. it just doesn’t match the price with it looks. Much better if you go for the last year cap or take the Ducati’s cap instead.
By the way it’s just a matter of opinion
Electrolite
22nd March 2010, 22:52
haha! I remember when they showed the Megane Scenic in the F1 car park amongst all the Bentley Continental GTs :P At that point he was world champion so I love it how he still chose to drive around in a family MPV =P
wasiF1
23rd March 2010, 1:57
Where is Schumacher’s FXX?
DomPrez
23rd March 2010, 12:10
UPDATE:
He is also on the verge of receiving a 458 Italia.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/22/alonsos-other-other-ride-ferrari-458-italia/
Schumi_the_greatest
23rd March 2010, 16:00
what he cant afford to buy his own on $20 million a year?
José Baudaier
24th March 2010, 3:49
Poor guy, can’t drive his Megane anymore, instead has a Maserati now. That’s a shame.
Number 38
24th March 2010, 23:26
GrandDad talking here ……. none of you kids were ever exposed to the BEST of beautiful cars.
1958 Ferrari (full wing) Testa Rosa, 1955 Ferrari Monza 750, Jaguar long nose D-type, and the crown of the lot, the 1959 Aston-Martin DBR-1. I can watch these cars for hours at a time and never blink.
Chaz
31st March 2010, 13:29
The car looks quite good. But tell me, and this is a genuine question, what is the quality of Italian cars these days as there reputation has been less than flatering for as long as I can remember…
Lonnie
4th November 2010, 5:31
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