17.08.2003  FRENCH FILM DIRECTOR LUC BESSON TESTS THE MASERATI TROFEO AT MUGELLO

French film director, Luc Besson, was at the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza as a guest of honour of the Ferrari Maserati Gestione Sportiva. Now, he has continued his Italian trip with another special event of a motor sport nature. The director of such famous films as Nikita, Leon and the The Fifth Element was at the Mugello circuit in Tuscany to have a test at the wheel of a Maserati Trofeo, the car raced in the Trident marque’s one-make championship. 

“ I have always been a fan of motor sport ,” commented Besson. “In Monza, I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari’s victory at close quarters, before celebrating with my friend Jean Todt. It was also an opportunity to discover the Trofeo Maserati, which was on before the F1 race and I was soon struck by the atmosphere of this series for gentlemen drivers ” he continued. “ It made me want to get a helmet and race suit on, to have a go as a driver and I have to thank the Maserati Racing Department which quickly made my wish come true ”.

Luc Besson duly drove the Maserati Trofeo, based on the road-going Coupe Cambiocorsa, beginning with a few laps following an instructor in a similar car. Then, the director did two runs, with quite good lap times, given that this was his first drive in the car.

“ I immediately felt comfortable driving it, enjoying the powerful 413 horsepower engine as well as the great gearchange with paddles on the steering wheel, ” commented the director. " I managed to learn the right line quite quickly, but I’m still aware of my limitations as a driver. But I got the bug to the extent of asking if I can race in the final event of the season”.

The final round of the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati takes place at the same Mugello circuit over the weekend of 19th October, as part of the Ferrari Maserati World Finals, which brings to a close all the 2003 Prancing Horse and Trident championships, along with a display by the Maranello F1 team.

Before leaving Italy, Besson also visited the Maserati factory in Modena, where he was met by managing director, Antonello Perricone, who showed his guest the new and much admired Quattroporte.