It’s been said that to pilot a Ferrari for the first time is a seminal experience. What was yours like?
I still remember that day clearly as it occurred not too long after I first joined the company. It was the Ferrari 458 Speciale and it took place on the Fuji Speedway in Japan. Since I wasn’t familiar with the car or track, I was accompanied by a female Japanese race car driver, who I believe was one of the few Japanese women to race internationally at a high level. She drove the first two rounds while I sat in the passenger seat. To be honest, I’m not the best of passengers and prefer being behind the wheel. When it was finally my turn, I remember feeling both overwhelmed and impressed by the car. Every little adjustment would have an almost immediate effect. She was sitting next to me and looked quite terrified, but gave me lots of good advice. I did try to push the limits, but that was only because the car’s solid performance gave me the confidence. It was all very exciting.
When did you first discover your interest in luxury sports cars?
I’m from Austria and, there, everyone is familiar with German luxury cars. When I was little, I had an uncle who owned two cars, one of which was the Porsche 356. I was still too young to ride in it at that time, so I don’t exactly remember all the details but I’ve seen the pictures of the car in his house. My uncle is a very colourful character, and he would always tell people that the car was “only for sportsâ€. He was also the only one in my family willing to invest in cars for fun, which I thought was very cool. He eventually sold it off, which is a real shame as it would have been worth quite a lot in today’s market.
What’s the most satisfying thing about your job?
It’s not so much a job but more of a responsibility. What I especially enjoy about working with Ferrari is the opportunity to be more involved with the expectations and feedback from our customers on what can be improved. Most of the observations usually come from a group of very important customers and gets reported directly to the Maranello headquarters in order to make things happen. A lot of time is invested into researching what our customers want, which is why Ferrari is not just any other company but the brand, with millions of fans all around the world.
What’s the best advice you can give for those who aspire to do what you do?
Everyone has a different approach. Based on my European heritage, upbringing and education, my best advice is to just be honest and transparent, have respect for others and stay true to yourself.
Out of all the features of the Ferrari 488 GTB, which is your personal favourite and why?
A lot of new things have been introduced in the Ferrari 488 GTB, most of which are meant to enhance both comfort and safety while driving the car. The real upgrade would have to be the new 3,902cm3 turbo engine. It is a real beast and something that isn’t so easy to beat. I truly believe this car will provide a lot of pleasure to customers, especially those who have been only driving other brands.
Everyone finds balance in doing something they enjoy. What do you do in your spare time?
I’m actually a family man, so even though my time is limited, I always make sure I spend enough quality time with my kids. Every year, we will travel to Europe to go skiing, especially since it’s not so readily available here in South-East Asia. I also enjoy staying active by running, but had to put that aside when I was posted in China. Now that I’m in Singapore, I look forward to picking it up again.
If you could go on a road trip anywhere in the world, where would it be and which car would you take with you?
My idea of a great road trip would be to drive somewhere vast, which gives that sense of freedom and exploration. If I had to pick, it would probably be Route 66 in the United States, although it’s mostly for bikers. I would take the Ferrari California T and just drive while enjoying the pleasure of my own company.
