It's been a long week: Celebrating My Birthday with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
A week that felt like a dream: my birthday in Maranello, a Hot Lap at Fiorano, and a dinner with Ferrari and Puma. Here’s the full story.
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be writing this, my impostor syndrome would have laughed hard at you. But here we are. It’s been a long week, but in the best way—because I spent my birthday in Maranello with Puma and Ferrari, celebrating their 20 years of partnership.
At the beginning of February, I received an email from Puma inviting me to an exclusive dinner to mark this milestone. I was this close to fainting. It was something truly special, and I was about to tick off two items from my bucket list (if you follow me on Instagram, you already know): doing a Hot Lap and visiting Maranello. And to top it all off, Lewis, Charles, and other drivers were going to be there. On my birthday. Pinch me.
But what excited me the most was being part of something where two of my passions collided—a sports fashion brand teaming up with one of my favorite and most iconic teams to celebrate their 20th year of partnership. It felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Celebrating 20 Years of Puma and Ferrari: A Diary
DAY 1
On March 3rd, I traveled from Milan to Bologna, where a transfer took me to Maranello—a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere, where everything revolves around Ferrari. Even the church bells ring when the team wins, so you can imagine. That place is pure magic.
We stayed at the Maranello Palace, where Puma had plenty of surprises prepared for us. Special mention to the Puma team for the warm welcome and incredible assistance during the two full days.
For the occasion, they gifted me the Speedcat in yellow (you know how much I love my red ones) and a total black jumpsuit. The whole outfit was cool and very me. The first day was pretty relaxed, but we made some great creator friends—my fellow Spaniards Bea, Javi, and Paula, along with Mauro from Italy. Classic: put some Spanish and Italian people together, and it’s bound to be a blast. And so it was. They became an unexpected but fantastic part of the trip.
We visited the Ferrari Museum, where you can find the most iconic cars in Ferrari history and the famous Victory Room, where all the winning cars and trophies are displayed. The entire museum is amazing and perfect for capturing great photos.
I always like to make my pre-birthday dinner special, and Puma kindly reserved a table for us at the legendary Montana Restaurant. If you’re an F1 fan, you must have heard of it. This is where Mamma Rosella, the cook, is known for her motherly relationship with the drivers. The place is filled with pictures and memorabilia. It’s a must-visit if you love F1, plus you get to enjoy authentic food from the Emilia-Romagna region.
I had Tortellini in Brodo, but I also recommend Tagliatelle di Mamma Rosella and, of course, the desserts. FYI, if you can’t choose between tiramisu and profiteroles, they serve you both. That’s my kind of people.
I waited until midnight to celebrate, knowing that was the only moment I’d realize it was my birthday. Because what was coming the next day was so big for my fan heart that I could barely process what year we were in.
DAY 2
Just a normal day where you wake up, have breakfast at a four-star hotel in Maranello, and then go on a tour inside the Ferrari Factory.
Of course, I’m being ironic. I was living my dream life.
During the visit, cameras were covered, so I have no footage, but what lives in my mind is priceless. I’ll definitely deep dive into some details I managed to note down, but let me tell you: that place breathes heritage, passion, and an attention to detail that is almost impossible to describe. Each engine literally has the name of the person who made it and is treated like a masterpiece, just like every other component of the cars.
Then, they took us back to the museum we visited the day before. No complaints—this time, we had a guided tour with Ferrari’s amazing staff, so we learned things we wouldn’t have access to otherwise.
And then… my first Hot Lap at the Fiorano Circuit. Fiorano is Ferrari’s private testing circuit, and I was about to experience something incredibly rare.
Maurizio, my kind driver, took me for three laps in a Ferrari 296 Assetto Fiorano. Was I scared? Not at all. The car’s power was insane, and the G-forces glued us to the asphalt. After one lap, my neck was SORE—how do drivers do this every weekend?
I can’t wait to do it again. (Pirelli, I’m looking at you.)
After more photos at the venue, we headed back to the hotel. And here, I just want to say: respect to all content creators and influencers. This was my first event away from home, and wow, it was stressful. Barely any time to eat or think—between the emotions, content creation, and a packed schedule. I had one hour to get ready for the night and prepare my interviews with the WEC drivers. I managed to put together a cool outfit with the Ferrari x Puma bomber jacket… but completely forgot to film a GRWM. (What kind of content creator am I?)
Can you imagine going to Fiorano Circuit for a cocktail, where a motorsport collection is showcased around sports cars and the SF25? Then going upstairs, doing interviews, meeting your idols, and having dinner surrounded by the best people and historic Ferrari F1 cars?
Can. You. Imagine.
I can’t. Because I was there, and it was all real. Here’s the visual proof:
I tried to capture as much content as possible to bring you this experience. At one point, people thought I was part of the staff because I had my phone, my camera, and an analog Kodak all at once—lol.
This is how brands should integrate into sports.
It felt so seamless, so natural, that Puma was associated with Ferrari. This partnership is more than just a collaboration; it’s a legacy built on innovation, performance, and style. For two decades, Puma and Ferrari have seamlessly blended racing with bold design, redefining how motorsport fashion is perceived beyond the track. Puma has transformed motorsport gear into fashion that lives off the track, from race suits designed for speed to iconic shoes like the Speedcat and bold streetwear collections that embody the essence of racing.
This new team merch sets the standard for where every team should be heading. Of course, logos are everywhere (as they should be), but the fit and design choices—like the vintage-inspired bomber I wore or the refined polo shirts—are a step toward making F1 fashion-forward rather than just fan gear. People want to wear these pieces beyond race weekends, and this is, without a doubt, the coolest, most effortlessly stylish team merchandise of 2025, with a touch of that coveted vintage aesthetic.
In an era where fashion and sports are more intertwined than ever, this milestone proves that true partnerships aren’t just about longevity but about continuously evolving together. Also, the styling at the event was fab. I’ll be posting my favorite looks soon because they made styling team merch look effortless and super cool.
Of course, I lost my breath when I saw Lewis and Charles less than a meter away. People asked me how it felt, and honestly? I still can't put it into words. It was surreal—like watching a dream unfold in real time.
Spending my birthday at such a special event, with two of my favorite brands, was an experience I'll never forget. My first big event, and what a way to start.
Here’s to another 20 years of passion, speed, and style.
Cheers.
Alba <3
