To my wife: I won't forget the day I put on my Ferrari uniform.

      Marc Genet became a Ferrari test driver more than 20 years ago, but after completing the active phase of his career in motorsport, he remained with the team and has long served as an ambassador for the legendary Italian brand.

      During his years at the Scuderia, he had the opportunity to collaborate with five world champions, and in the next issue of the podcast Beyond the Grid, the 51-year-old Spaniard spoke about this unique experience.

      Marc Genet: "I think I was able to take almost everything that was possible from my career. I don't have the talent of Charles Leclair or Lewis Hamilton, although I am also a very good driver and have won at Le Mans. But I've had the opportunity to compare myself with others, and I'm humble enough to know that some riders are better than me.

      I really love my job, which is communicating with Ferrari customers, working with the press, and I turned out to be a good TV commentator. But I'm still testing cars, although not modern Formula 1 technology, but historical ones. I realized that I enjoyed racing when I competed in it, but I also love the work of a test driver no less. In my opinion, it is very important in life to find something that gives you pleasure.

      On race weekends, I don't feel like I'm at work: I feel like I'm doing my hobby. Sometimes people ask me the question: do I miss racing? No, I don't miss you. I have to admit that when I was racing in Formula 1, most of my teammates showed better results than me. That's why I became a test pilot, and I still like my job.

      Actually, I think I'm very lucky. I've always dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver, but I never even dreamed of working with Ferrari. And when I became a test pilot for this team, I was just happy. I'll never forget the day I put on my red uniform for the first time.

      Moreover, it was Michael Schumacher's jumpsuit, because I received the offer to become a test pilot of the Scuderia in 2004 at the last moment before the Barcelona tests. And it turned out that Michael and I have the same size. Of course, I am proud to have been a member of the Ferrari family for so many years.

      It wasn't until I got behind the wheel of a 2004 Ferrari for the first time that I realized how good it was! The F2004 was a very efficient car, and the Ferrari electronics were generally the best. This was also appreciated by Michael Schumacher.

      I don't think any other car in those days could compare with the Ferrari in how the F2004 reacted to changes in differential settings, engine braking, torque level, etc.

      Our team's engineers told me that Michael could change numerous settings during the race, but this did not affect his driving at all, he did not make any mistakes. The other riders weren't as good as him in that regard.…

      I've worked with five world champions at Ferrari, and Jacques Villeneuve was my team-mate at Le Mans, so I've worked with six champions in total. It's a real privilege!

      I've always said that there's a definite difference between drivers who have won one title and several titles. All Formula 1 drivers are very good, but world champions are naturally endowed with great talent. And the riders who have managed to win several championship titles are distinguished by a special quality.: they always work with such tenacity, as if they have no talent. That's what made Michael Schumacher a very special driver: he worked with tremendous tenacity, but Sebastian Vettel worked about the same way.

      They were united by exceptional determination, dedication and passionate love for their work..."