Designer at Ferrari – part 2

2-nd part of Interview with Miroslav Dimitrov, designer at Ferrari.

Това интервю на български.

Riznlog: What are you working on at the moment, a new Ferrari?

MD: This is a kind of tempting question for every designer! Yeah, it’s a Ferrari, for sure As many people know, for years Pininfarina has been in charge of the design of Ferraris. However, parallel to this, in the last few years a little team was created here in the factory that also contributes to the design process. The last thing that was made here was the Ferrari 599XX, which was shown at the Geneva Motors Show earlier this year. I had little contribution to this one, as I had another project to undertake here. Cars made here also include the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Maserati MC12 and few more that you will discover in the future Unfortunately, I cannot speak much on this topic as this is very sensitive information.

How do you feel in Italy? How is life in Maranello, one step away from Scuderia Ferrari?

Frankly, I feel great everywhere! I think a man should appreciate the best of every place and moment that is; otherwise he will never be complete and satisfied. Italy is a good country to live in. There is exceptionally rich culture left here, and many places to see too (something that I have started to do already). Weather is cool and the Italians enjoy communicating, they are passionate and I also think they are quite friendly! I think I am well accepted here, so I feel good

Maranello is a little place, known to the world because of only one thing – Ferrari! It’s feels like magic walking through the factory and seeing the cars being built and then “walked” around the corners of the factory. I had the chance to watch, up close, how the engines are put together, standing close to the people on the production line assembling the car, and also visiting Ferrari Classice – the place where the old, classic models are restored into their original condition! It’s absolutely incredible! I should also mention that making & designing a car here is a great experience because at any point you can go and see how they make it. It’s very much the old school type of thing!

Sometimes during the day we can hear also the Scuderia testing the Formula 1 cars – the Scuderia is based just on the opposite side of the main road. The Ferrari factory is just a place second to none!

Maranello itself is a very small and there isn’t really much to be seen here. I just remembered – if you watch F1 and support the Scuderia Ferrari you should come here to watch the last race! I had this chance last year and being part of the “tifosi” group screaming and jumping is amazing!

We know you love good kitchen. What you like and dislike about the Italian dishes?

One of my most favourite topics – food! I love cooking as much as I love consuming For people who appreciate well prepared food, Italy is a paradise! Undoubtedly, the best kitchen in Europe is here in Italy and one of the best in the world too, so I have nothing to complain about…even if I wanted to. The area where Maranello is (Emilia Romagna) is well known for the best food in the whole country and the Italians themselves say Bologna is the place to go. Starting from the pasta, prepared in hundreds of different ways, continuing with the main courses, deserts and wine – everything is made with love and attention towards the food here. Products are natural and many of them (even in the supermarkets) are home made: such as pasta, meat, cheese and deserts.

From the pasta I’ve tried, I mostly love tortelloni with pumpkin and lasagne of course! From the main dishes I find it difficult to say which one I like best because I tried a lot and they are too many and I don’t remember their Italian names. Finally let’s not forget the home made deserts or ice cream. Shortly after that, there is always a cup of fantastic Italian coffee. Life is beautiful isn’t it?

Final words as recommendations to the young designers who wish to chase a career in car design?

I’ll be short here as I already spoke too much )))). My advice for the young ones is to work hard and never doubt their skills! The path to becoming a car designer is not always easy and trouble free, but not impossible and when you get to the end the joy and satisfaction is marvellous! For a start I think a piece of paper and a pencil are more than enough…and fresh thinking of course!

Good luck to the young ones!

Thank you  and good luck to you!

Pictures courtesy of Miroslav Dimitrov.

< 1-st part of the interview