Although my passion and love of motor racing was born in Italy—at Monza during the 1969 Italian GP—my first real introduction to the sport was at Goodwood Racing Circuit, in England, a few years later. In Italy, at that time, we lost many things, including our identity, with motor racing.
Yes, we have Ferrari, but no opportunities like England. It was a big decision for me, but I was following my dream. At the station, I called my father. I told him I was in London, he didn’t believe me and said, “Don’t be so stupid, come home.” I tried to convince him where I was, we had a fight over the phone, he was not happy with me.
As I say, I had to follow my dream. Eventually, he came to understand. In this world there are drivers with money, but do they have a passion? Perhaps not. There are still openings for drivers who are passionate. I believe if you want something bad enough you can get it. Yes, we lose some drivers through a lack of money, but do they lack passion too? You have to ask that question. I believe if you have determination to succeed and make the necessary sacrifices, whatever your walk in life, you can succeed. Motor racing doesn’t just ask the question, how fast are you, it also asks how committed are you and how strong is your character?
My motor racing took a natural step from the lower formula cars and slowly climbing the ladder, obviously the aim, as for every young driver, was Formula One, especially driving in my home Grand Prix at Monza; but you have to remember that there are only 22 drivers, or so, on that Formula One grid during any year. It was the same in my day.
