Andrea Bertolini talks about the MC12, GT Racing and Maserati's 'Folgore' push

No one knows the Maserati MC12 better than Andrea Bertolini. Having helped with the development of the car and won multiple championships in it, he has a special bond with the racing machine.

During one of the Maserati events at Monterey Car Week, we had a conversation with Andrea about the MC12, GT racing, the MC20 variants, and his interests outside of motorsport.

Tell us about yourself

From a young age, my passion for motorsport was boundless. Living near Fiorano, Maranello, and Modena, I spent countless days watching Formula One tests at the Fiorano track. Fueled by this passion, I began with go-karting, just like many others who dream of a career in motorsport.

With dedication and hard work, I was able to follow my dreams and become part of the Maserati and Ferrari family. With Maserati, I achieved great success, winning the World Championship four times in the GT1 category. The iconic MC12 GT1, a remarkable car of its era, played a significant role in making that chapter of GT history unforgettable.

Tell us about your current role as a test driver for Maserati. What does that involve?

As Chief Test Driver for Maserati, I oversee a team of exceptional drivers who provide invaluable feedback throughout our car development process. My role involves closely monitoring their performance from the very beginning, starting with our advanced simulation tools in Modena. Our cutting-edge simulator serves as a benchmark for our development, allowing us to fine-tune our vehicles before they hit the road.

Once we transition from simulation to the actual car, I receive detailed targets from our project manager for each model we develop. My core philosophy is that our cars should evoke emotion and deliver an exhilarating driving experience. For me, a car should be more than just a machine—it should be an extension of the driver.

To ensure this, our cars must be easy and predictable to drive, offering both a strong connection and an enjoyable experience. Whether it’s a GranTurismo, MC20, or any other model, our goal is to create a vehicle that drivers will look forward to driving every day.

Our cars are designed for daily enjoyment, combining performance with an engaging and memorable driving experience.

So, are you always the first person to drive a car once it comes off the production line?

Usually, I’m quite busy testing race cars. We have an exceptionally skilled team of test drivers—truly the best I know. They often reach out to me with questions, saying, “Andrea, when can you come by? I’d like to test the car during development.” One key figure, my primary contact, oversees all the test drivers in the company. We’ve worked well together for a long time, and he knows exactly what to expect from the car. We’re always happy to collaborate.

You were in an MC20 Notte commercial with David Beckham. What was that like?

Meeting David was a pleasure. It was truly a fantastic time. He is exceptionally professional. I remember spending two days together, during which we took the time to discuss the MC20 Notte’s striking and bold design.

Additionally, I spent a night on the track filming videos in the dark. It was an amazing experience, and I had the honor of meeting one of the most prominent names in the sport world.

You have a lot of experience with GT and endurance racing. Tell us a little about that.

With more than 25 years in GT racing, I've been fortunate to work with outstanding teams, talented individuals, and powerful cars. Ultimately, it’s the people who make the difference. When you collaborate with a strong team, the path to success becomes significantly smoother.

As a driver, my role is to bring everything together on the track. However, the foundation for success is built behind the scenes. Over the years, I've won ten international championships, including five World Championships, four European Championships, and one Asian Championship. But let me assure you, achieving these milestones would have been impossible without a high-performance vehicle and a dedicated team.

If you didn't choose a career in racing, what would you have done?

That’s a great question. It’s hard to say for certain. I do have a strong passion for other sports, such as soccer and cycling. I also enjoy walking to work and taking care of my home. However, imagining a life without motorsport is challenging because I thrive on competition. Perhaps, if I weren't involved in motorsport, I might channel that competitive drive into something else, like competing in a different arena, such as a building project. It’s hard to say exactly what that would look like.

What are your best memories of the MC12? What can you tell us about it that we may not know?

Our journey with the MC12 began with the first prototype in 2003 and continued through the end of 2010, marking an incredible seven-year chapter. During this time, we experienced countless memorable moments. Winning our first World Championship was particularly special, especially since the previous year we had narrowly lost in the final race.

Reflecting on the MC12, it’s clear that its success was deeply connected to the exceptional team behind it. We had a group of remarkably talented individuals working on the engine, gearbox, and chassis—an outstanding Maserati engineering team. What I miss most about that era, aside from the fact that I was younger, is the incredible team spirit and camaraderie. It was truly the best team I’ve ever been a part of.

Tell us about the MCXtrema. Only a few of us will get a chance to drive it. Tell us what we're missing.

I’m deeply committed to pushing the boundaries of our engineering team, especially with the MCXtrema, which truly embodies the spirit of extreme performance. We want to showcase this to everyone on track.

As I mentioned before, our goal is to deliver an unparalleled emotional experience to our customers. The MCXtrema promises to deliver a profound thrill. Just two weeks ago, at the Circuit Paul Ricard racetrack in France, several customers were astonished by the car’s performance even from the passenger seat.

There were no compromises in its design—the car is incredibly fast. However, much like our street models, the MCXtrema is also easy to drive. We’re excited to offer our customers the exhilarating sensation of being a racing driver.

Maserati has stated that all their cars will be electric by 2030. What are your thoughts on that?

It’s something new and impressive. When I first tested the GranTurismo Folgore, I was genuinely blown away. I spent three months driving the car with my family, and every moment was a pleasure. Whether navigating city streets, or experiencing its exhilarating performance beyond the city, the Folgore proved to be nothing short of extraordinary. Its power and speed are out of this world. I absolutely love it.

What about the sound?

While it's clear that an electric car and a combustion engine are fundamentally different, I was genuinely impressed with the noise engineering on the Folgore electric side. My dream would be to drive a Folgore every day in the city and then enjoy the MC20 on weekends. It would be the best combination.

What is your favorite Maserati car?

As I mentioned earlier, I have a deep connection with this car [pointing to the MC12 behind us]. It’s the car that helped me secure four World Championships, so it’s clear why I have such a strong affinity for the MC12. There are countless reasons for this.

However, if you ask me about the car I enjoy driving, it’s the GranTurismo. It’s incredibly fun and engaging to drive. The MC20 is also an exceptional car that’s well-suited for daily use. And, who knows? This weekend, we might unveil something new that could become my favorite Maserati. [Referring to the GT2 Stradale, which was revealed globally at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the following day.]