Automobili Pininfarina, the blokes who whisper sweet Italian nothings to Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, and Maseratis, just cranked the rumor mill to 11. They've dangled a carrot on the Interwebs, promising the return of a legend. Oh yes! And if you're one to enjoy an obscure tease as much as a plate of fish and chips, then you're in for a treat! Their digital smoke signal points to a day of revelation - July 11, 2023 - with an accompanying video of some good old Formula 1 racing action. And the magic sauce they're promising to deliver? A dash of fearlessness, a sprinkle of focus, and a whole lot of 'la Famiglia! Fasten your seat belts, chaps!

Remember that shadowy car-shaped blob under a sheet with a big "01" slapped on its nose? Yes, the one we couldn’t make heads or tails of? Well, the word on the grapevine is that this ‘family’ business they're hinting at could be the key to unlocking the mystery. I mean, who doesn't love a family drama that would give the Kardashians a run for their money?

The Pininfarina family story is like a spicy Italian soap opera. The original mister Pininfarina himself, Battista, wanted to make his own cars but got a tad sidetracked with making bits and bobs for the likes of Ferrari and even General Motors. Now, his namesake company's first standalone car, a mental speed demon named after the man himself, has Paolo Dellacha at the helm - a chappy who is not even a distant cousin!

To truly get what this cryptic teaser is all about, we need to dust off the history books. There once was a man called Giovanni Carlo Farina who kicked off a coachbuilding firm in 1906. His kid brother, our man Battista, started Pininfarina, and their car-making branch is responsible for the ‘Battista’, a car so fast it makes your eyebrows meet your hairline!

Giovanni’s lad, Giuseppe Farina, made quite a splash by becoming the first official Formula 1 World Champion. Yes, the first of the lot! Racing circuits had already been buzzing with the sound of Grands Prix since 1950, and Giuseppe had his moment of glory. But like many high-octane stories, it ended with heartbreak. Our champ hung up his helmet in 1956 after seeing too much racing mayhem and tragically died en route to the 1966 French Grand Prix.

Now, this ties in neatly with the teaser video featuring the legendary Giuseppe. Is Automobili Pininfarina cooking up an homage to this racing icon? Well, we don’t think they're building an old-fashioned cigar-shaped car. They already sell those as F1 sim racers, and they are quite the sight!

If I had to put my money on it, I'd wager that the car under the blanket shares some DNA with the Pininfarina Battista, but spruced up with a bit of the Ferrari Sigma. You know, the concept Formula 1 car from the late '60s with all its shiny safety bells and whistles? The same one designed by Pininfarina, when Giuseppe's cousin Gianna and her hubby Renzo Carli were in charge.

As for its name, will they follow the family tradition and call it ‘Giuseppe’ or fancy it up with ‘Sigma’? But who cares? Whatever they call it, we’re all set for an absolute stonker of a hypercar! We're talking about a roadster that can make a bald man grow hair and then blow it off at the next corner! So, pull up a chair and mark your calendars. We've got quite a show coming up this summer. Can't wait!

Yours truly,

Captain Electro.