Alessandro, 19, with an innate passion for cars, had dreamed since childhood of crossing the threshold of Maranello and stepping into the world of Ferrari.

"When I think about everything the "Uni.On – Light Up Your Future" project has meant to me - he said in a letter read to the audience - I struggle to find the right words.

It has been an experience that left a deep mark, helped me grow, and ignited something within me just as the title suggests. At first, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but from the very beginning, I sensed that it wouldn’t be just a standard educational program.

The relationship that developed with the tutors, Raffaele and Valentina, was something truly special. They weren’t just there to teach us; they genuinely guided us, with care, humanity, and a patience I will never forget and will hardly find elsewhere. They listened to us, understood us, and pushed us forward. Feeling that someone believes in you, especially when you yourself have doubts, makes all the difference, and they made that difference for me.

What impressed me most, however, was the bond with the other students. In a context that could have felt competitive, a genuine connection emerged, built on support, collaboration, and trust. No one was trying to “beat” anyone else; instead, a collaborative atmosphere formed, where not only were notes shared but also lots of laughter. It was comforting to know that if you ever missed something, there was always someone ready to lend a hand. Together, we motivated each other, encouraged each other, and had so much fun.

Then there was the moment I will never forget: when I learned I had been selected for the Winter School. Even more thrilling was when I received the news that I had won the scholarship. It was a feeling hard to describe: a mix of disbelief, joy, and gratitude. In that moment, I realized that all my efforts had made sense and that someone had believed in me.

For me, the scholarship is not just an award; it’s a real opportunity. Thanks to this support, I can begin to pursue my dreams. One of them has always been to enter the world of Formula 1, at least as an engineer. And now I truly have the chance to buy a ticket to a race. It won’t just be a sporting event; it will be the first step toward becoming who I want to be, toward a world I have always admired from afar.

Looking back on the many Friday afternoons spent attending the course, I realize I never saw them as a burden, despite my school commitments. They were appointments I never missed, moments in which I learned thanks to the professionalism and generosity of the teachers, but also moments of fun, sharing, and enjoyment. We laughed, debated, made jokes about what happened in class… and it was precisely there that I understood that you can grow even with lightness.

"Uni.On" has been all of this. It has been feeling part of something bigger. It has been dreaming, but with your feet on the ground. It has been igniting a spark that I now want to keep alive. Because the future no longer scares me. In fact, I can’t wait to live it."

This partnership - together with the support of colleagues across UniCredit - gave us the chance to help fulfill a dream Alessandro had cherished since childhood: stepping inside Maranello for an unforgettable day with Scuderia Ferrari.

"Visiting Maranello - he then told us at the end of the day - felt like stepping into a world I had only been able to imagine until that moment.

Walking into Ferrari gave me that rare feeling where excitement, curiosity, and childhood dreams blend into one powerful emotion. Thanks to the Uni.ON project by Fondazione Don Gino Rigoldi, UniCredit Foundation and UniCredit, I was able to experience all of this firsthand: an unforgettable privilege that allowed me to immerse myself in a reality I hope one day to be part of as a protagonist.

One of the moments that truly left me speechless was seeing a Formula 1 Ferrari up close.

Until that day, I had only seen it on TV:it felt almost untouchable. And suddenly, there it was, right in front of me, just a few steps away. My breath caught in my throat: the perfect lines, the meticulous details, the sheer sense of power radiating from it… I actually got chills. It was like looking a dream straight in the eye.

Watching the production of the road cars was just as special. Seeing how a Ferrari is born, step by step, gave me an emotion I will never forget. Every stage of the process is a ritual of precision and passion, a delicate balance between engineering and art. I was struck by how every choice is supported by a clear, thoughtful idea - like the presence of green spaces inside the factory, a gesture that shows how much the well-being of the people working there matters.

And perhaps most of all, I was amazed to realize that even in an age dominated by technology, the heart of the process remains human. Machines are there, but not to replace, on the contrary, they serve to support and elevate the sensitivity and expertise of the people, preserving the craftsmanship that makes every Ferrari unique."