For Federica Colombo Marzorati, the car isn't a status symbol, but a place where she can rediscover herself. From the roads of the Engadine to the sound of her Ferrari F8 Spider, to the discovery of the new Ferrari Amalfi, the story of a passion born in the family and transformed into a way of life.
When you're alone in the car, what do you do?
I sing. At the top of my lungs. I'm a failed singer: I studied music, I even recorded a song, and as soon as I'm alone in the car, the concert starts. The car is my space, almost a comfort zone. There I can do things I never do during the day: think, reflect, organize my thoughts.
What if tomorrow morning I had a full tank of gas and no destination?
In the summer, I'd head to the Engadine or the Dolomites. I love the mountain passes, the curves, the technical driving. In the fall, I'd choose Tuscany instead. I'm not looking for speed at all costs: I enjoy the pleasure of driving, of building a perfect trajectory.
So the journey matters more than the destination?
"Very often, yes. I like driving late at night, when there are fewer people on the streets. It's a time all my own, filled with freedom and silence."
When you drive, do you prefer music or the sound of the engine?
It depends on the car. If I'm in my Ferrari, the engine always wins. I roll down the rear window behind the seats just to hear the sound, and, I admit, in the tunnel, a little revving always happens. With my everyday car, however, I listen to music, especially if I have someone next to me.
Is sound really that important?
"For me, yes. Horsepower matters, but the sound matters even more. It's one of the reasons I struggle to get passionate about electric cars. I appreciate their performance, but I miss that vibration that only an engine can convey. A car is emotion, and emotions are also conveyed through sound."
What does your Ferrari say about you?
"My most adrenaline-filled side. I like to drive it open almost all the time, even in winter with the heater on. Hearing the wind, the sound of the engine, the road... it's a feeling of freedom that's hard to explain."
How important is style?
"Very much. A car is like a dress: it must belong to the person who drives it. Sometimes you see beautiful cars that look like they're worn by the wrong person. The color, the interior, the details say something about us. Mine is green, my favorite color. It wasn't a random choice."
And your everyday car?
"It's the opposite of a sports car. If a Ferrari is the elegant weekend suit, a daily car is much more chaotic. Ultimately, it's like me: I'm precise at work, but I have few rules in life. My daily car lives the same way."
You just drove the new Ferrari Amalfi. What were your impressions?
"I was impressed by the comfort. Compared to my F8 Spider, it's softer, more welcoming, with a driving position that immediately conveys confidence. It absorbs road bumps better, making it easier to drive every day, but without losing its Ferrari character. When you step on the accelerator, you immediately understand that it has the same DNA."
So two Ferraris with different philosophies?
"Exactly. The F8 is more extreme, closer to a track car. The Amalfi, on the other hand, was created to accompany you everywhere: it's a Ferrari you can use every day without sacrificing the pleasure of driving."
Where does this passion come from?
From my grandfather and my father. There have always been cars in the house, and I grew up with them. As a child, I received model cars instead of dolls. For me, it was completely normal.
It's not just driving them that fascinates you, though…
"No. I'm curious about everything that goes into it: the design, the construction, the technical complexity. When I can, I visit the factories and assembly lines. Watching a car being created is almost as exciting as driving it."
Do you remember your first car?
"Great. An Opel Corsa delivered on my eighteenth birthday. For my generation, a driving license represented freedom. My first major trip was to Freiburg, Germany. I left at night: I've always loved driving at night."
Do you have a driving tip that you feel is your own?
Always look ahead. It's as true in a car as it is on skis: if you anticipate what's going to happen, everything becomes more fluid, more natural. You brake less, drive better, and even feel more confident.
After all, what is a car to you?
"It's much more than a means of transportation. It's a refuge, a place where I can rediscover myself. I have to feel it, I have to trust it, I have to become one with it. When that happens, you're not just driving: you're experiencing an emotion."
Federica Colombo Marzorati, a passion that comes from afar
With a degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures and an Executive MBA from Bocconi University, Federica Colombo Marzorati works in her family's steel company, where she oversees sales and is a member of the Board of Directors. Her first professional experience took place in Germany, near Stuttgart, one of the world's automotive capitals.
Her passion for cars, however, began much earlier. It was her paternal grandfather who passed it on to her, followed by her father: both were great enthusiasts, so much so that her grandfather even received an award from Ford after replacing an impressive number of cars in the post-war period. A family tradition that Federica has embraced.
When it comes to sports cars, there's only one choice: Ferrari. After the California and Portofino, came the F8 Spider, which she still considers the ideal companion. Mother of Luca and Emma, she loves traveling by car, playing golf, and skiing. And in every car, she always keeps a spare pair of flats: heels can wait, but the pleasure of driving cannot.
Ferrari Amalfi, the sports car that combines emotion and everyday life
The new Ferrari Amalfi builds on the legacy of the Ferrari Roma by reinterpreting the V8 2+ berlinetta concept with a contemporary twist. The 640-horsepower twin-turbo V8, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,3 seconds, while still maintaining surprising ease of use.
The project aims to balance performance and comfort. The essential and sculpted design integrates an active rear spoiler and advanced aerodynamic solutions, while the cockpit introduces a new steering wheel with physical buttons, the return of the ignition button, and a 2+ configuration that makes the car more versatile even in everyday life.
Technical innovations include the brake-by-wire system, ABS Evo, a further refined steering box, and a front lift that allows for easier handling of urban obstacles. The package is completed by the infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and the optional Burmester® sound system. This Ferrari is designed for those who want to be thrilled every time they get behind the wheel, without sacrificing comfort, elegance, or practicality.
