Ferrari and Maserati, two legendary motor sport marques, are joining forces this coming Saturday to prepare Melbourne for the switch from the Commonwealth Games to the Formula One Grand Prix with a free display of their remarkable road cars.

Maserati, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stirling Moss guiding his Maserati 250F to victory in Albert Park, and Ferrari, which has won the modern incarnation of the Grand Prix in Albert Park no less than five times since Formula One returned to Melbourne in 1996, will present more than a million dollars of road cars alongside the Crown Casino outside Cecconis Restaurant.

Ferrari will present the F430 and the outstanding 612 Scaglietti, which brings together the performance and ability for which Ferrari is renowned with the ability to carry four people in comfort.

“Even a quick look at the Ferrari models on display will reveal the very clear link between the Ferrari F248 that will be driven in Albert Park by Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa and the Ferrari road cars,” explains Kevin Wall, General Manager of Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand. “This includes every aspect of their designs, from their highly efficient V8 and V12 engines, through the advanced aerodynamics and suspension to the advanced electronics that make Ferrari road cars easy to drive, despite their breathtaking performance. They are also, of course, fabulously beautiful!”
 

Maserati will display the GranSport, its 400 bhp V8 sports car, and the Quattroporte, the luxurious and exclusive Maserati sports saloon in its latest Executive and Sport GT guises. The Quattroporte on display will present one of the four million possible trim and colour combinations that enable owners to tailor the Quattroporte to exact personal requirements.

“Stirling Moss’ epic performance in the 1956 Melbourne Grand Prix in the Maserati 250F was one of the many races that have made Maserati a byword for performance and motorsport excellence,” explains Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. “Nor is it a legend confined to the history books, with Maserati taking both the manufacturers’ and team prizes with the Maserati MC-12 in last year’s FIA GT World Championship. Today’s Maserati road cars maintain that tradition of performance and driving ability, adding a level of Italian style and exclusivity that simply cannot be matched by its rivals.” The display of Maserati and Ferrari cars will be presented by Melbourne’s sole Maserati and Ferrari dealer, Zagame Automotive.