Who is Federico Gastaldi, the Argentine who became chief at Lotus

At 50 years old, this Argentine businessman will be one of those responsible for the British team. He was the Promoter of musical and sporting events, represented Benetton and is a close friend of Mick Jagger. Federico Gastaldi is the new head of Lotus team in Formula One, the team announced it on Melbourne. His job position is just below the boss and team co-owner Gerard Lopez.

But ... Who is this Argentine who is handling one of the most important teams in F1? Gastaldi is working in the team based in the British village of Enstone since 2010 as director of marketing.

As Lotus had to reorganize its direction after the previous team boss Eric Boullier went to McLaren, they gave the chance to Gastaldi.

"It is a great honor and I look forward for it. I have a long history in my previous role as director of business development, and before that i worked many years at Benetton. It is a fantastic place to be and the amount of talent here is incredible" said the Argentine.

"I have worked in many positions in the world of motor sport, from being a friend and associate of the Benetton family to promote the Grand Prix of Argentina, to work with pilots and Bernie in different projects. I like working with people inside and outside the paddock "

Who is Gastaldi?

He is the youngest of eight children of a diplomat father (he was Argentine consul in Uruguay), of which his brother Marcos Gastaldi is the famous one. Marcos is in the local showbiz, he married with Marcela Tinarye (daughter of Mirtha Legrand which is a moviestar from the 50s), and he was partner of Jorge Terrado in the controversial Extrader bank, almost facing jail for that.





The brothers had a wealthy childhood until his father died in a car accident. Living in Buenos Aires, Federico was linked to some of the businesses of Marcos. They were partners in Alea Productions, a company that was in charge of sporting events and music events. They were responsible for bringing Rod Stewart to Argentina, Ray Charles and athletes like Yannick Noah and Jimmy Connors.

In the 1990s, he managed the interests of the Italian Benetton Group in Argentina. The Gastaldis, who have met Luciano Benetton in 1985, in Punta del Este, also have advised the employer in buying several acres in Patagonia.

While Marcos was always recognized as a fan of Formula One, Federico never shared that passion. However, he was involved in the Grand Prix of Argentina. Between 1994 and 1998, three of the Gastaldi family were involved in F1: Mark, Federico and Cecilia, who was close to Esteban Tuero (F1 driver for Minardi).

So Why Federico became involded in F1? Apparently, he was carrying on the enterprises at the time of F1 in Argentina (1995) because he was less exposed than Marcos, who had already been involved in the bank scandal"

Also in 2002 Federico Gastaldi was Gustavo Mascardi partner in the purchase and sale of soccer players. Among its international friends we can say he is very good friend with Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams and Shakira. Mick Jagger deserves a separate chapter. Federico is a close friend of the legendary singer and has played a key role in each of the three visits the Stones did to the country.

This is not a Formula 1 fan, he doesn't seem to be a man who could give blood and tears for this sport. It is another businessman, a different kind of approach to the sport, which is not necessarily bad.






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