autoX - founded autoX in 2006 with little clue of what lay ahead. Driven by a passion for anything on four wheels and a stubborn will to succeed, he moulded a team as pig-headed

After a brief hiatus, the Monterey Car Week was back with a renewed fervour this year! Here's a look at some of the most special events from the week...

Monterey Car Week is an annual celebration of all things automotive, during which some of the rarest and most beautiful cars from the past, present, and future converge in Northern California. After a Covid induced hiatus in 2020, Car Week was back with a bang this year. Of all the events that take place during the week, there are three that are truly special – the Rolex Monterey Motorsports reunion, the Quail a motorsport gathering, and the <a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/pebble-beach-concours-delegance-1938-mercedes-benz-540k-autobahn-kurier-wins-best-of-show-109904/">Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance</a>.

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Held at the legendary Laguna Seca Race Track, the event included cars spanning over 100 years of automotive history. Historic race cars from the early 20th century, made up of wood and steel, turbocharged Indy Cars of the 60s and 70s, and 1980s’ Formula 1 machines, with ground effect aerodynamics and carbon fibre body parts, all raced on the 3.6km circuit. It really was a treat to see these thoroughbred race cars driven with passionate intensity. This year, the Rolex Monterey Motorsport reunion celebrated Ford in the Trans-Am class and the 55th anniversary of what came to be known as the Pony Car Wars. From 1966 to 1972, the Trans-Am series featured Americana classics like Mustangs, Camaros, and Cougars, with similar-size engines – the idea was to equalise their performance.

One of the highlights of the weekend was witnessing the CEO of Ford Motor Company, Jim Farley, race a Shelby Ford. Zac Brown, the CEO of McLaren, was another notable name who was on the track in his Lancia LC2. There is something great about seeing real automobile enthusiasts at the helm of automobile companies.

<img alt="Ferrari Monza SPs At The Laguna Seca Racetrack" height="720" src="/uploads/2021/08/Ferrari-Monza-SPs-at-the-Laguna-Seca-Racetrack.jpg" width="1280" />

Another highlight of the event was the presence of over 30 Ferrari Monza SP1s and SP2s on the Laguna Seca track.&nbsp;

The Quail a Motorsports Gathering

If one could only attend a single event during Car Week, I’d say it should be the Quail. Held at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club, this event exudes the feel of a garden party organised to celebrate the finest classic and modern vehicles that ever graced the surface of the earth. This year, the highlight of the Quail was the launch of the new Lamborghini Countach. The launch was perfectly timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original Countach. Back in the day, I had a poster of the original Countach on my wall, and it seems that the new car will also inspire posters or profile pictures that will embellish the walls of automobile enthusiasts. The new Countach takes a number of styling cues from the original and looks even better in person than it does in pictures. It's no surprise, then, that Horacio Pagani, the founder of Pagani Automobiles, was pictured giving the Countach a big thumbs up. Pagani himself had brought a stunning Huayra BC Roadster, which is a work of art in every sense of the terms and is destined to grace the Pebble Beach Concours in the years to come.

<img alt="Pagani Huayra BC Roadster" height="720" src="/uploads/2021/08/Pagani-Huayra-BC-Roadster.jpg" width="1280" />

Lotus displayed its upcoming Electric Hypercar, the Evija, in a striking yellow paint scheme. However, the real star at the stand was the stunning Elmira, which will replace the current Evora. Its styling is inspired by the more expensive Evija – the car looks sensational and has been priced to compete against the likes of the Porsche Boxster. Another highlight of the event was Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button who showcased his new coachbuilt vehicle, the Radford, which is inspired by the Lotus 62.

<img alt="Jenson Button With His Lotus 62 Inspired Radford" height="720" src="/uploads/2021/08/Jenson-Button-with-his-Lotus-62-inspired-Radford.jpg" width="1280" />

One of the themes of this year's event was the evolution of the sports car. A gorgeous 1937 Bugatti 57SC was on display alongside the latest Bugatti Chiron Supersport and the upcoming track-only Bolide, which will be sold to only 40 lucky customers for over $4 million apiece.

Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance

This year marked the 70th anniversary of the Pebble Beach Concours, and to commemorate the occasion, 38 previous Best in Show cars were present to welcome the new winner to their ranks. This year's Best in Show was a 1938 Mercedes Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier, which belongs to the Keller Collection from California. This year marked the Keller’s third Best in Show victory – they had earlier won in 1986 and 2001, with other Mercedes from their exquisite collection.

<img alt="1938 MERCEDES BENZ 540K AUTOBAHN KURIER NAMED BEST OF SHOW AT THE 70TH PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D ELEGANCE" height="720" src="/uploads/2021/08/1938-MERCEDES-BENZ-540K-AUTOBAHN-KURIER-NAMED-BEST-OF-SHOW-AT-THE-70TH-PEBBLE-BEACH-CONCOURS-D-ELEGANCE.jpg" width="1280" />

‘It’s my triple crown,’ said Arturo Keller. ‘This is the only remaining car of its kind, and I am the second owner from new. It’s a very special car, and we are very happy.’ This was also Mercedes’ ninth victory, which helped it tie with Bugatti for the highest number of Best in Show victories at the Pebble Beach.&nbsp;

<img alt="Porsche 917 Le Mans Winning Race Cars" height="720" src="/uploads/2021/08/Porsche-917-Le-Mans-winning-Race-Cars.jpg" width="1280" />

This year's Concours also featured a stunning display of LeMans-winning Porsche 917 race cars. It was truly a sight to behold these cars drive up to the podium to receive their awards. Another notable highlight of the event was the Ferrari competition class, which was won, not surprisingly, by a very valuable 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO.

<img alt="Ferrari 250 GTO" height="720" src="/uploads/2021/08/Ferrari-250-GTO.jpg" width="1280" />

The enthusiasm displayed by the organisers, owners, and attendees throughout Monterey Car Week was truly inspiring and exciting. It is this passion and enthusiasm that gives us hope that cars will continue to be celebrated as historically important works of art and will not be relegated to a mere AI-powered mode of transportation.

Read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/coronavirus-update-2020-pebble-beach-concours-delegance-cancelled-107690/">Coronavirus update: 2020 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance cancelled</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/1931-bentley-wins-pebble-beach-concours-delegance-best-of-show-106454/">1931 Bentley wins Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show</a>

Monterey Car Week 2021 – Key Highlights

Monterey Car Week is an annual celebration of all things automotive, during which some of the rarest and most beautiful cars from the past, present, and future converge in Northern California. After a Covid induced hiatus in 2020, Car Week was back with a bang this year.

We get a special tour of ‘The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering’ – one of the highlight events during the Pebble Beach Concours week – by 4-time Indy Car Champion Dario Franchitti, and we also interview motorsport legend Mark Webber, who talks about F1, EVs &amp; more.

Photography: Rolex &amp; Anniruddha Jain

We met Mark Webber at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – a signature event leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, held annually on the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. ‘The Quail,’ as it’s called, celebrates some of the most exquisite, rare and expensive automobiles in the world. It has the atmosphere of an intimate garden party with unparalleled access to the cars, and the people behind them.

Webber was attending the event in his capacity as a Rolex ‘Testimonee’ (that’s the word Rolex uses to describe celebrities who endorse their watches). With its long history in motorsport, Rolex is present today in Formula 1, Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). It also supports classic car events like The Quail, The Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Goodwood Revival.

<img alt="Mark Webber &amp; Dario Franchitti at the Quail 2019" height="336" src="/uploads/2019/09/642x336-Dario-Webber.jpg" width="642" />

Its Webber's first time at the Quail, so we join four-time Indy Car champion and 3-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Dario Franchitti (also a Rolex Testimonee), for a tour of the event. Dario is a true petrolhead and has fascinating insights to share about a number of vehicles that are on display. Dario looks at a Porsche 918 and says, ‘this is a sad story. I drove a pre-production car and didn't like it. But that was very early in the development. I then drove a production car and immediately asked Porsche if I could get one. They said, “sorry we just sold the last one.” You know who they sold it to?’ He points to Webber!

We stop next to a new Ford GT and Dario casually mentions that he has one on order. The GT, he says, is a brilliant car but has two problems. One is that the windshield tends to crack because the car is so stiff, and the other that the fuel tank is really small. Mark points to the small panel gap between the fender and door points out how hard it is to get those right. He is clearly a Porsche man.

<img alt="Bugatti EB110 &amp; Ford GT" height="336" src="/uploads/2019/09/Bugatti-110-and-Ford-GT-642x336.jpg" width="642" />

Next, we examine a stunning Bugatti EB 110 and Dario has a memorable story to share. He says, ‘I was 21 years old, and driving for Mercedes in Germany. An old friend I was staying with asks, “do you want to drive a Bugatti?” I say Yea! So, we turn the corner and his mate has two of them sitting right there. One was the Schumacher one, and the other was the standard one. We go on the Autobahn, and I was trying to keep up with the Schumacher car. The speedo was at 300, then 310, and then 320, and the door seal blew out!’

I ask Dario what's in his personal collection and what he likes driving. He says, ‘Carrera GT, just bought a Singer, my dad’s old 930 – found it and restored it – Ferrari 355 Spyder, have had that from new, Ferrari F40 that I’ve had for 20 years, Daytona Spyder (European Spec), Aston Martin V8 Vantage, amongst other things.’ As a follow-up, I ask, ‘What are your top three from those?’ Without missing a beat, Dario says, ‘Carrera GT, F40, Daytona Spyder. The Carrera GT, I fell in love with it.’

<img alt="Porsche 918" src="/uploads/2019/09/Porsche-918-642x336.jpg" style="width: 642px; height: 336px;" />

We pass by the Singer stand and Dario tell us, ‘My brother does the development on it. Mine is on order – they have the check, and I just signed the contract. I’m going to put baby seats in the back.’ I ask Webber for his thoughts on the Singer? He says, ‘Not for me, don’t mess with a supermodel. Botox never works.’

<img alt="Ford RS200" src="/uploads/2019/09/Ford-RS200-642x336.jpg" style="width: 642px; height: 336px;" /> 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Dario walks up next to a Ford RS 200 Rallycross car and says that he used to have a picture of it on his wall. Webber asks ‘Didn't Jenson Button's dad drive this sort of car? Dario says Jenson’s dad drove an earlier version. It’s an intense car, goes from 0-100 on gravel in 2 seconds.

<img alt="McLaren F1 LM" height="336" src="/uploads/2019/09/McLaren-642x336.jpg" width="642" />

Next, we stop to see a trio of McLaren F1 supercars, including an LM (Le Mans spec) car that is registered for use on the road. Webber raced against the McLaren F1 at Le Mans back in the day. He says, ‘This was a missile in a straight line.’ He asks to come take a look at the back of the McLaren F1. He bends down and says, ‘If you think about when you’re racing, your eye line is here (pointing to about 24 inches from the ground). See how much you can see. When you have two of them side by side it's like trying to pass a bus.’ Dario says if there was one car that he could have, it would be the high downforce McLaren F1. He mentions that there is one for auction tonight (It sold for just under $20 million). Dario says the Carrera GT is epic, but the F1 has an all-time great engine. He goes on to add that Gordon Murray, the designer of the F1, is now building a new car, the T50, that has a V12 which will rev to 12,000rpm. It has a fan for downforce, like the old Brabham race cars, weighs next to nothing and has a central seating position. I have a sense Dario will be getting himself one of those!

I ask Dario about his favourite Rolex. He says, ‘it's got to be the Paul Newman Daytona.’ He goes through his phone and shows a picture of the sister watch that he says belongs to Newman's daughter, which she uses every day.

While Dario continued the tour commenting on Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, the Acura NSX (that he helped develop), I was able to pull Webber aside for a few quick questions:

What are your thoughts on the recent Red Bull Formula 1 driver changes – is it fair to drop a driver halfway through the season?

Yes, it's a serious business. Red Bull are trying to get second in the constructors. Gasly is not delivering.

<img alt="Alexander Albon" height="336" src="/uploads/2019/09/AP-1ZVUTZDR91W11-hires-jpeg-24bit-rgb.jpg" width="642" />

<div class="img-caption">Red Bull Formula One driver Alexander Albon</div>

Do you think Albon will be able to step up?

He’s not going to do any worse, so if he’s better, great. If he can get 10 points every weekend instead of 5, it’s important.

What about budgets, should they put caps in place?

No, if you want to race F1 you need a big budget.&nbsp;

Does F1 need Balance of Performance, as they have at Le Mans?

No, no, no! That is so corrupt already. That’s a bad idea.

Is Lewis (Hamilton) the best of all time?

He’s getting there. He is going to beat Michael’s win record, isn't he? He has already beaten the pole record. He’s going to beat the podium record. He’s better than Michael anyway – he’s better than Michael was! Now, is he better than (Alain) Prost, because Prost was better than Michael…

In your book, is Prost the best?

Yes, he is. Michael was amazing, but Lewis… It's very controversial when I say this, people are like, “it’s an insult to Michael because he’s not in great shape right now.” But the facts are that Lewis never goes off the road. He was last in the steward’s office in 2013. Michael was in the steward’s office every third race. Lewis is so good that he’s able to keep a margin.

What would it take to get you back in a race car?

It's fine, I’m retired (grins and sticks out his tongue). I do some go-karting, maybe some dirt bike riding – I get the fix that way.

As a driver, do you have a preference between vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and electric vehicles – especially now, having developed the Porsche Taycan?

I was really against electric till I drove the 919 (Porsche race car). That whole car was brought alive by its electric components. That opened the eyes of us racing drivers to electric vehicles – the torque and power are just incredible. Yes, the acoustics are zero, but in terms of its stealth power, it’s quite a cool sensation.

Was Tesla the benchmark for the Taycan?

Yes, they’ve been doing it for a while, so you have to tip your hat to them. They’ve done some things quite well. But I think Porsche is optimistic that its (Taycan) going to go very well and the performance is incredibly high. People aren't used to doing 28 launch control starts in an electric vehicle. The car is designed for performance, not range. Who is doing over 250 miles every day anyway?

<img alt="Porsche Taycan Turbo S Static" height="336" src="/uploads/2019/09/Porsche-Taycan-Lead-1.jpg" width="642" />

<div class="img-caption">2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S</div>

Do you feel the weight of the battery on the Taycan?

Every electric car is heavy, they will get the weight down eventually. Everyone in the industry is working on it. It's a huge headache for the EV industry.

Is Porsche going to push the kind of autonomous driving technology that Tesla is big on?

Well, it is the VW Group, so we’ll see.

As a driver, do you welcome autonomous tech?

I think it’s further away than we think. We will probably see it in our lifetime. We see it on planes of course. If people knew how much the computers are doing, they wouldn't get on a plane.&nbsp;

Will Porsche ever push Hydrogen?

It's hard to say. If all the car companies put their money into it, then maybe. Right now, the internal combustion engine is pretty unloved. But electric is probably the future.

What are your favourite Porsches, apart from the race cars?

The 918 and GT3 RS 4.0-litre. With the 918, the biggest headache was getting the packaging and the (front-rear) torque split right – but they did it. The shape is timeless, it will come good.

What’s your favourite Rolex?

I love the Oysterflex Daytona (smiles and shows it on his wrist). It's so comfortable and it's just such a good product.

Read more:

<a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/interview-with-motogp-champion-marc-marquez-106398/">Interview with MotoGP champion Marc Marquez</a>

<a href="https://www.autox.com/interviews/interview-with-robbie-maddison-105587/">Interview with Robbie Maddison</a>

Mark Webber: ‘Lewis is better than Michael.’

We met Mark Webber at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – a signature event leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, held annually on the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California.

Anniruddha Jain

Articles By Anniruddha Jain

Monterey Car Week 2021 – Key Highlights

Mark Webber: ‘Lewis is better than Michael.’

Recent Posts