Alessandro Alunni Bravi: “I always dreamed of being a pilot from the 50s”

Where and in what family context did you grow up?

My mother was an accountant in a company, while my father owned a small appliance store that had Candy washing machines in its offering. In the 1980s, this brand being a sponsor of Tyrrell and Toleman, scale models of F1 were thus displayed in store. I was completely amazed by this. My heroes at the time were Brian Henton (British driver with 19 Grand Prix starts in 1975, 1977, 1981 and 1982. He was also European champion F2 driving a Toleman in 1980. Editor’s note) and Derek Warwick (British driver who completed 146 GPs and won 4 podiums. He is known for having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992. . Editor’s note). In 1980, I had the chance to go to Misano to watch a Formula 2 race with my father. Henton had won it aboard a Toleman designed by Rory Byrne, and Derek Warwick accompanied him on the podium (2e. Editor’s note). They were extraordinary. I still have this miniature, as well as a letter from Warwick and Henton that my father had requested from Candy. Well, I discovered late that it wasn't them who wrote it, but the general manager of Candy. (Laughs) No matter, my passion was so great that in my eyes, it was the gift of the year.

So your passion comes from a brand of washing machine!

(Laughs). Kind of, because my family was never involved in sports except