Latest news with #AlainProst
Times
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Times
A grand design — the watch that captures the spirit of Ferrari
'And this is Alain,' says Amanda Mille, the brand and partnerships director at the company her father, Richard, founded. We are in Paris at the Palais de Tokyo to see the unveiling of Richard Mille's new collaboration with Ferrari. And the Alain who has just been so insouciantly introduced is none other than Alain Prost, racing legend and winner of four Formula 1 world championships. Between 1990 and 1991 the Frenchman was a Ferrari driver, and this is why he is here today, along with a more recent alumnus of the team's school, the Brazilian Felipe Massa, who raced for Scuderia Ferrari from 2006 to 2013. Massa also has the distinction of being the first brand partner to sign up with Richard Mille, back in 2004 when the company was a fledgling business making only about 300 watches a year. He talks fondly of how he agreed to wear a watch as a test driver at a time before Richard Mille had any formal budget for such things. The relationship has endured, and Massa always raced wearing a Richard Mille. The RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, POA, The luxury Swiss watchmaker launched in 2001 with the aim of crafting thoroughly modern timepieces. A fan of motors and motor racing, Mille described his supertechnical lightweight designs as being like 'a racing machine on the wrist'. His son Alexandre, the company's commercial director, says, 'For my father, this partnership with Ferrari is a dream come true.' Beyond the synergies of quality, technology and innovation that connect the two firms, both are also clearly about passion. Massa puts it well: 'It is a great pleasure to be part of [Richard Mille] history, being part of the family. It is like when you enter Ferrari — you are always a Ferrari driver from the beginning and part of the 'religion'.' The Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who now drives for the team, would surely agree. He has been supported by Richard Mille since 2009, when he was karting. Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's chief design officer, sees the two brands as natural partners. 'A collaboration like this is as much predicated on similarities in values as it is on the visual similarities between a Ferrari engine or component and the elements in a watch.' The first Richard Mille and Ferrari joint effort, 2022's RM UP-01 Ferrari, is a 1.75mm-thin timepiece, a curious and distinctive design that references dials on a dashboard. But the new launch is more recognisably Richard Mille. The RM 43-01 has the firm's signature barrel shape and skeleton construction. But it is not a piece that has simply been badged with a Ferrari logo: the watchmaker worked closely with Ferrari's Centro Stile in Maranello, near Modena, for three years to express the spirit of the cars in the form of a timepiece. It is the beauty of the RM 43-01 as much as its performance that captures the attention. The oscillating tourbillon compensates for the impact of gravity and the chronograph can measure split times with its two seconds hands, but it is the crafted look and feel — and the echoes of the driving machines — that really set it apart. The clutch wheel of a Ferrari V8 engine inspired the barrel jewel setting, while x-shaped supports combined with screws in gold with hexagonal socket heads reference details on Ferrari crankcases and engine blocks. The pushers, case and indices take styling cues from the geometry of the bodies of Ferrari's SF90 Stradale, Daytona SP3 and 488 Challenge Evo models, while a titanium plate shaped to recall the rear wing of the 499P hypercar is engraved with the firm's famous prancing horse motif. 'In terms of performance, anything that has a technical purpose can also be beautiful,' Manzoni says. 'The concept of functional beauty is something that we really love.' And clearly Richard Mille loves it too.
The Age
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Age
Prost wins title after Senna clash
Alain Prost sealed the 1989 world championship after a collision with McLaren teammate Ayrton Senna at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Sydney Morning Herald
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Prost wins title after Senna clash
Alain Prost sealed the 1989 world championship after a collision with McLaren teammate Ayrton Senna at the Japanese Grand Prix.
France 24
2 days ago
- Automotive
- France 24
South Africa moves closer to hosting Formula One race
He told reporters the venue that last hosted a F1 race in 1993 had been given the green light by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to implement design proposals. "Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami. We are ready for the return of Formula One to African soil," said Venter. "When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across Africa. "The acceptance by the FIA of our grade one design is a major step forward in that journey," added Venter, an importer of luxury vehicles. Kyalami and Cape Town in South Africa, Rwanda and Morocco have expressed interest in bringing F1 racing back to Africa. The British company charged with doing the upgrades said they were "minor", and could be completed within three months. FIA has given Kyalami a three-year deadline for completion. Upgrades, which will not change the 4.5 kilometre (2.8 miles) circuit layout, include enhancing run-off areas and barriers. "The proposed FIA grade one upgrade focuses on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs, and drainage," a company spokesman said. "This is a light-touch upgrade in engineering terms, but one that enhances the already excellent circuit standards to meet modern grade one requirements." More spectator zones and grandstands have also been earmarked as part of a bigger upgrade, leaving Kyalami as the only grade one certified venue in Africa. Kyalami has hosted 21 F1 Grands Prix, the last in 1993 won by Alain Prost for Williams. The annual event was discontinued because it proved too costly for the then owners to host.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Alain Prost Confirmed for Historic McLaren Reunion
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former McLaren driver Alain Prost returns to the Woking-based team for a one-off event at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Goodwood Festival of Speed hosts a celebration of motor sport history, displaying cars raced throughout the years. A variety of people around the sport are allowed to drive them at the event. This year, Prost is returning to racing for a special appearance, coming back to the team where he made history. Alain Prost, McLaren-Honda MP4/5, Grand Prix of Monaco, Circuit de Monaco, May 7, 1989. Alain Prost, McLaren-Honda MP4/5, Grand Prix of Monaco, Circuit de Monaco, May 7, 1989. Photo by Paul-Along with Prost returning, McLaren is also rebuilding a special edition of the McLaren M23, which Emerson Fittipaldi used to win the 1974 Drivers' Championship. McLaren announced the occasion along with a statement from chief operating officer Piers Thynne. "It's great for McLaren to be back at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It's the perfect occasion to showcase our own heritage alongside our more recent achievements and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Formula 1," Thynne said. "30 years on from our victory at Le Mans, it's great to be able to have J.J. Lehto driving the F1 GTR, and it will be special to see Alain Prost drive his 1988 MP4/4. "It's also fantastic to be able to run the MP4/2B to commemorate 40 years since Alain's first Drivers' Championship victory. "It's an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to drive the M23-15 and showcase the team's hard work and talent. "To be able to bring such a challenging project to life, involving such a wide range of team members across departments, is a special moment, and is a great way to recognize the team's first Championship win. "We really enjoy being part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, so we look forward to seeing it all come to life for another year." Thynne is scheduled to drive the M23. Goodwood is held in Chichester, England, on July 10 through July 13, holding a walk through memory lane for old and new fans alike. What is Alain Prost driving? Prost was the teammate of the legendary Ayrton Senna, one of the most iconic drivers of all time. Both drivers drove the MP4/4 in 1988, which was the title-winning car that season. The car won 15 of 16 races, dominating the field unlike any car before. Prost will drive the exact model he used to win at Monaco, France, and Mexico. Nicholas and Shelley Schorsch of the Audrain Collection own the chassis of the car and are providing it for the special event.
