BA - The Club - Epic drives for 2021

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Says who? António Félix da Costa, Formula E champion
My top drive for 2021 is a place a friend of mine has been to recently, the Azores, off the coast of Portugal. When I saw the pictures of his trip, I immediately knew I had to go. It’s a breath-taking place; they filmed Jurassic Park there! I’d like to drive around São Miguel, which is the largest of the volcanic islands. There are mountains and miles of stunning coastline, everything you could want for. After racing in Formula E for so many years, I’d like to do the drive in a fully electric car. Driving an EV is a great experience – all you hear is your surroundings, the road and the planet, which is perfect for a place as beautiful as the Azores.
Car of choice: DS3 E-Tense

Australian coast

Says who? Daniel Ricciardo, Renault F1 racing driver
The dream road trip is to do it in my own backyard here in Australia (although I’m eager for a drive through the States, too, where I can roam around and track down some stellar barbecue!). Here in my home country, though, I wouldn’t go for a fancy car. I’d want to get behind the wheel of a campervan. I’ve always loved vans – you can have a bunch of stuff in the back and throw a sofa in there or something. Maybe a bed if you’ve got enough room. I’d go for something sturdy. And I’d try and do the whole coast of Australia if I could, stopping off at magnificent beaches along the way, happening upon small towns with nice people, trying to find some laid-back live music joints and good food, that kind of thing. That’s the dream!
Car of choice: Renault Trafic

Tuscany, Italy

Says who? Alex Albon, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 racing driver
I would love to go to Italy – it’s my ‘go to’ road trip. We just had a race in Tuscany and it was so beautiful around there. I love Italian food and would want to eat a lot of pizza and pasta, but also just take in all the pretty places. The fun thing about road trips is exploring, going into small towns and discovering the unique things to see and do in those villages. I’d plan it religiously so I could stop at little boutique places along the way. For Italy, I would want to drive a classic convertible – maybe an Alfa Romeo – in the summer. Anything like that would be really cool. I don’t know how practical they are, though. I might need air conditioning during the hot weather!
Car of choice: Alfa Romeo Spider convertible

Santiago, Chile to La Isla, Patagonia

Says who? Jean-Éric Vergne, two-time Formula E champion
Despite competing in a race in Santiago for the past few years, I’ve never explored the Andes and Patagonia. So, for 2021, I’d drive from Santiago and go south down to chef Francis Mallmann’s private island, La Isla. It’s an epic drive and his place is completely off-grid, but he cooks the best food in the mountains. You’re completely disconnected from the world. You just eat, stay in a cabin and look out across the lake with a fantastic bottle of wine. It’s more than 24 hours of driving from Santiago, so I’d have to do it in something big, comfortable and capable. I’d take a Toyota Land Cruiser and, if I could, my Extreme E car as well, so I could have some fun when I went off-road!
Car of choice: Toyota Land Cruiser

California, USA

Says who? George Russell and Nicholas Latifi, Williams F1 racing drivers
GR: I’ve been on holiday to California before and know it’s a beautiful part of the world, the weather is great, and the vibe is just pure cool. I’d escape into the hills in a proper V8 American convertible, swim in the sea, visit Yosemite and make the most of everything California has to offer.
NL: I’ve not done many road trips before, but I’d really like to explore the coast of California. I’ve only been to LA once and really want to go back, so I would make that a part of my trip. I can imagine a chilled drive admiring the views of the Pacific Ocean – like a classic road trip from the movies. It would definitely have to be driven in a proper convertible sportscar.
Cars of choice: V8 Engine/LaFerrari Aperta convertibles