YOUR DIRECTORY /

Life in the fast lane

by James Bennett on Tuesday, 02 October 2007

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Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Mercedes appears at the drivers’ parade

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Ferrari flag flies during the qualifying round

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Fernando Alonso celebrates on the podium after his win

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There are many ways to watch a Formula One race, but not everyone gets to do it in style. James Bennett flies to Milan's Monza Grand Prix to sample the F1 high life.

Fashion, football and the fastest cars in the world, can you think of anything better than that triple combo of delights to draw you into visiting a city?

Well, if that's the action you're after there is only one city to travel to from the Gulf this year.

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History begins with the ‘F1Xperience’ and you really get a sense of how technology has changed the pace and image of the sport.

UAE national airline Etihad has recently opened its 45th new route in three years flying to Milan three times a week from the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi - and it is already planning to go daily in 2008. I travelled business class to Milan on Etihad's inaugural flight. Armed with an exclusive Paddock Gold Pass to the Monza Grand Prix and several reservations to dine at the city's best restaurants we entered the airport on the 2am flight to Milan. Five hours and 45 minutes later we arrived on time at Malpensa airport, fully rested on the airline's award winning flatbed and itching to explore the city before one of the most famous races in motorsport.

Malpensa is Milan's second airport and a 20 to 30 minute taxi ride along the outskirts of the city to the centre. The first thing you notice after stepping out of the airport is the freshness of the air compared to a summer spent in the Gulf.

With an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in the first half of September conditions are ideal whether you are in Milan for business, a sporting occasion or two, or simply a stroll around the shops.

The trip from the airport to the centre of town is fairly uneventful with the majority of Milan's industrial sector based around the city's motorway system. It is well known as a business destination and no wonder. The amount of light and large-scale industry going on is impressive.

Once in the city there are a number of beautiful landmarks to visit including the capital's most famous cathedral, the Duomo di Milano, Italy's second largest church, the world's second largest gothic church (after the Cathedral in Seville) which holds the world's largest collection of marble and features a striking golden Madonna statue on top of its spire - la Madunina (little Madonna), the symbol of Milan. If you are only on a short trip to Milan, take time to see Milan's Teatro alla Scala, the city's opera house and the Castello Sforzesco where I attended an incredibly lavish US$1m party hosted by the Abu Dhabi government's investment arm, Mubadalla - a stunning setting for any party or launch event, or for a stroll around the castle's ancient 14th century walls.

The following day the time had arrived to head off to the Monza Grand Prix, home to the Italian Grand Prix since 1922.

We set off in a limo from outside the Sheraton Diana Majestic hotel at 9am and already the traffic was complete chaos. What the driver had failed to remember was that France and Italy had played a crucial European Championship qualifier the night before, the first game since the now infamous Zinadine Zidane headbutt at last year's World Cup. "It's always like this, this is Italy," he struggled to say in English. The chaos was typically Italian, chaotic but friendly with everyone heading in the same direction to stare at the closest thing you can get to a jet fighter on four wheels.

Business etiquette

Being the fashion capital of the world, dress and overall appearance are very important so look sharp.

Never refuse an offer of a coffee or a glass of wine. Ask your contacts about their children, spouses, pets, recent holidays and the like. Person-to-person contact goes a long way in Italy.

An evening drink in one of Milan's many bars is sometimes preferred to a leisurely business lunch in this work-oriented city.

It is important to maintain your bella figura - the Italian expression for showing your best face. This can refer to appearance, but can also mean the ability to get out of a difficult situation with style. Charm, grace and humour are very important at all times.

When meeting someone in a formal situation, it is polite to simply state your full name and then shake hands.

It is acceptable to be five to ten minutes late for an appointment in Milan but call ahead.

Topping off a meal with a frothy cappuccino would be unthinkable to an Italian. Ask for an espresso instead.

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