In 2021, for the first time in the history, 1000 Miglia Srl was headed by a woman. The daughter of the first Porsche and Volkswagen dealer in Italy, Santo Saottini — Beatrice told AutoClassicNews about the goals of her new post, the participation of women in motorsport and the prospects for the development of «Mille Miglia»
-Your life is inextricably linked to cars, and your father was the first Porsche and Volkswagen dealer in Italy. Has this influenced your professional choices?
-Probably yes, although I never viewed this as the only way forward. For about eight years in fact, before joining the company, I tried other professions in which I had been trained and which ultimately enriched my skills.
-Madame President, you have been at the head of the company founded by your father for a long time. How important was this experience in the organisation of the first 1000 Miglia?
-I have worked in the automotive sector for more than 35 years and I feel I know its dynamics inside out. 1000 Miglia srl is a structured company that has been organising the 1000 Miglia for 10 years. The organisation and protocols are tried and tested. Each year they are perfected through discussion and the work of the entire team, which starts from the day after the end of the previous edition.
-A woman in such a high position for the first time in the history of 1000 Miglia Srl. What has been the greatest challenge so far?
-I am of course proud to be the first woman president of 1000 Miglia srl. The time is ripe and this means that i do not need to assert myself in the role. I trust that in time I will contribute to the growth and affirmation of the company in its founding values — innovation and inclusion while respecting traditions — and attract more and more fans to the Red Arrow and the beauty of our country, Italy.
-It is no secret that men usually drive the cars in vintage car races, and that women are often the navigators. Would you like to organise a «women-only» race?
-This is perhaps the last reminder of the predominant position of men in the automotive world. In time, it will be overcome, as has happened in other sports such as horse riding, without the need to create categories that I consider to be belittling.
-You have raced nine times driving the Porsche 356. How has the competition changed since your last race as a competitor?
-I should point out that in my various 1000 Miglia races as a competitor I was a navigator. The last one I took part in as a navigator was in 2018. This year, I have noticed how much the attention and control of the organisation has grown to ensure that competitors drive safely and in compliance with the Highway Code and the instructions of the Traffic Police accompanying the convoy.
-The 1000 Miglia, which attracts fans from all over the world, is the most famous regularity race for classic cars in Italy. What would you like to change or bring new to the organisation?
-We are being asked from many quarters to extend the duration even more and to increase the involvement “of the people” in Brescia, as well as in Rome. We are working on it…!
With the intention of making the 2023 edition, with Brescia and Bergamo the capital of culture, the best ever!
Cover: Mille Miglia