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Meeting Fernando in Maranello

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by slice, Jul 26, 2010.

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  1. slice

    slice Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2008
    312
    Connecticut, US
    #1 slice, Jul 26, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Went to Maranello 2 weeks ago for a factory visit and made it a point to go to Ristorante Montana for dinner one night, Cavallino the other... .

    Maurizio (Montana owner) tells us that Fernando had been in earlier for lunch and for dinner the night before, but could not guarantee he would be back...there is a large party in the front room, so he puts our party of 5 in the small, private room in the back. I jokingly tell my 10 year old "If Fernando does come back, I bet they will put him in this room and shut the door for privacy."

    Two hours and no Fernando, so I tell my son "Ok, we will wait until 10P and that's it." Literally at 9.50 we hear applause from the front and turn around to see Fernando directly in front of us...Maurizio sits him, his wife and manager right next to us and shuts the door.

    I've met a few famous folks from time to time and know they want their time alone so I explained to my son "He may not want to sign anything, so don't be disappointed."

    Turns out he had been in the simulator all day and one could tell he was exhausted, but after we told him my son had been pacing the room for 2 hours waiting, he signed 3 autographs for us and took this photo.

    My son, who is 6 years too young for the Factory Tour didn't seem to mind and his first trip to Maranello will never be forgotten.
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  2. JoeRockhead

    JoeRockhead Karting

    Dec 13, 2007
    114
    #2 JoeRockhead, Jul 26, 2010
    Cool stuff. He'll remember that for years to come.
     
  3. 96redLT4

    96redLT4 Formula Junior

    Feb 20, 2009
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    Jim
    #3 96redLT4, Jul 27, 2010
    Wow. He is almost 'kid-like' in his build. Must have to be in pretty phenomenal condition though. What an experience!
    Jim
     
  4. slice

    slice Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2008
    312
    Connecticut, US
    #4 slice, Jul 27, 2010
    Yes, very fit and not large at all. Then again, look at the size of the cockpit. At the Galleria Ferrari my son went in the F1 (game) simulator and it fit a 10 year old fine!
     
  5. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
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    #5 Monteman, Jul 27, 2010
    Very cool!
     
  6. Dohangs

    Dohangs F1 Rookie
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    #6 Dohangs, Jul 27, 2010
    What a great experience. We were there for lunch back in June. Didn't recognize anyone at that time. Had a great lunch though.
     
  7. starboy444

    starboy444 F1 Veteran

    Oct 7, 2006
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    Toronto, Canada
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    #7 starboy444, Jul 27, 2010
    Great timing!

    I saw Massa 2 years ago when my wife and I were eating at Montana's. That was the highlite of the day.

    (no pics!)
     
  8. futureowner

    futureowner Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2006
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    Thad
    #8 futureowner, Jul 27, 2010
    Great story! No one when I went there unfortunately (everyone was at the World Finals), nice of him to spend some time with you guys.
     
  9. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 ross, Jul 27, 2010
    very cool. glad you could get that for your son, and glad alonso was nice about it.

    maybe he isnt such a bad guy after all ;)
     
  10. Ney

    Ney F1 Veteran
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    Apr 20, 2004
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    #10 Ney, Jul 27, 2010
    Shirt is ironic in light of this past weekends German GP.
     
  11. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2008
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    #11 VIZSLA, Jul 27, 2010
    As is him standing next to the Massa photo.
     
  12. slice

    slice Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2008
    312
    Connecticut, US
    #12 slice, Jul 27, 2010
    Our experience, as well as from what all the local folks in and around Maranello told us, is that Fernando is very accommodating and friendly.
     
  13. lmunz22

    lmunz22 Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2007
    1,224
    #13 lmunz22, Jul 28, 2010
    I got a little chuckle out of that too.
     
  14. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
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    #14 GrayTA, Jul 28, 2010
    Very nice!!!!


    PDG
     
  15. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
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    #15 AceMaster, Jul 28, 2010
    cool
     
  16. EVILZ33

    EVILZ33 Formula Junior

    Feb 2, 2007
    258
    chicago
    #16 EVILZ33, Jul 29, 2010
    cool little story. people always talked crap about fernando. people that never met him said he was a jerk but this is solid proof that hes a decent dude.
     
  17. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
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    #17 tatcat, Jul 29, 2010
    met and spoke with him twice at indy. seemed pleasant considering.
     
  18. ag512bbi

    ag512bbi F1 Veteran
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    Nov 8, 2003
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    #18 ag512bbi, Jul 29, 2010
    Very Cool. That's a day he'll NEVER forget!!!!!!!!! Good Job Dad!!!!!
     
  19. NWaterfall

    NWaterfall Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2009
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    Waterfall
    #19 NWaterfall, Jul 29, 2010
    Very cool!
     
  20. Ferrari Envy

    Ferrari Envy Formula Junior

    Apr 27, 2009
    708
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    Cameron DeMille
    #20 Ferrari Envy, Jul 30, 2010
    I dont blame celebrities when they want to be left alone, but it's very cool when they take the time for fans. Thats an awesome experience for a young guy.
     

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