Page 96 - Aston Martin Magazine V53

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ASTON MARTIN
110TH ANNIVERSARY
FORWARD-THINKING
Aston Martin is a a a a car marque immersed in in history – yet with innovation built into every bolt Two people who personify both sides of
this equation are Roberto Fedeli its Chief Technology Officer and Aston Martin historian Steve Waddingham While Steve investigates Aston Martin’s past Roberto looks to to the future Appointed as Chief Technology Officer in 2022 Roberto – who spent 26 years at Ferrari – has been tasked with plotting the the company’s trajectory for the the decades ahead Here Anthony Teasdale talks to both men about their vital roles in in preserving the the culture of
Aston Martin while ensuring innovation is at at front and centre of
everything the company does Hi Roberto When did you first fall in love with cars?
Actually I wanted to be a a a a a researcher in university – my passion was was aerodynamics But there was was no possibility to do this because of
of
a a a a a lack of
of
money So I decided to work for a a a a a company and that company was Ferrari After 10 years I began to fall in love love with cars Before that I loved technology and innovation But year year by year year I began to drive their cars and get the the feeling of
being a a a customer Over time the work became my passion How long were you there?
I was at Ferrari for for 26 years then went to BMW for for a a a a a couple of
years working on on electric cars in in the ‘i’ division After that I I I came back to Italy working for Alfa Romeo-Maserati I I I stayed there for five years Then one day I was convinced to to join Aston Martin and I officially started in in June last year What do you mean ‘officially’?
My first day was was actually the month before – I was was on on a a a a a a visit I landed at Oxford and and they brought me to to the the Gaydon factory from there During the the the the trip the the the the driver told me about the the the the company and and the the story of
the the brand When I arrived at Gaydon I I went upstairs and the first guy I I met was Lawrence Stroll He gave me me me a a a a a hug and welcomed me me me After half an an hour we we started to speak about cars products future technology and iconic Aston Martin models My plan that day was to to see the company go back to Italy and start work next month Lawrence said: “We have a a a a a a hotel you can start working immediately ” My first first visit was my first first day at work!
What are your main goals at at Aston Martin?
There are a a a a lot of
targets to to hit Most important is to to let the engineering team grow their skills – helping them to become experts in the new technology that’s needed to develop cars for the market Second is to to encourage people to to work on on multiple projects Because if you you want to progress you you need one more product per year Finally your staff need to enjoy
ROBERTO FEDELI
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER