The 32-year-old athlete from Alessandria in Italy paid the Maserati factory a visit today and was enchanted by the new Spyder. He took the car out for a spin on the roads to Abetone and was highly impressed by the performance of the naturally aspirated 390-bhp 4.2-litre V8 engine and the Spyder's sporty handling.

Will the Maserati be his Christmas present to himself? If it is, and he drives it with the top down, the traditional driver's cap will probably be replaced by the famous 'clown' mask he wore at the finals in Nimes for good luck. What will the other drivers have to say about that?