Gil de Ferran visits the Automobili Lamborghini headquarters.

Sant’Agata Bolognese, June 19, 2013. 

The multiple Champ Car Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran yesterday fulfilled a childhood dream by visiting the headquarters of Automobili Lamborghini in Bologna.

Welcomed to spiritual home of the Italian supercar marque by Lamborghini’s recently-appointed Head of Motorsport, Max Welti, Gil toured the Aventador assembly line, the museum that traces the company’s illustrious 50 year history and the CFK Centre, Lamborghini’s specialist carbon fibre production facilities where the monocoque of the Aventador is hand-produced.

Gil was also briefed by Max Welti on the philosophy of the recently-created Squadra Corse which aims to build a staircase for drivers from first engagement with Lamborghini through to instruction, single make racing and ultimately professional GT3 racing. Squadra Corse represents the essence of Lamborghini’s significant new commitment to motorsport.

Having witnessed the supercar engineering and production facilities, the logical conclusion of his visit was of course a test drive in the Aventador LP 700-4, which left a very positive impression on him.

Reflecting on his visit to Sant’Agata, Gil said, “I have dreamt of stepping over the threshold into Sant’Agata ever since I first saw a picture of the Lamborghini Bertone Bravo in the mid 1970’s. What can I say – everything has lived up to that dream and the factory and the cars themselves are amazing. I can categorically say that Lamborghini simply oozes passion.”