Lifestyle

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 19, 2026

How to Buy: Formula 1: The Impossible Collection

As Formula 1 marks its 77th season, Assouline revisits the sport’s extensive and action-packed history with the second edition of Formula 1: The Impossible Collection. Written by veteran journalist Brad Spurgeon and featuring words from Jean Todt and Stefano Domenicali, the coffee table book brings together major milestones that shaped Formula One, from its early days in 1950 to its current global presence. It also includes new material on recent events, including Red Bull’s rise and the cultural impact of the Drive to Survive series. The book chronicles winners and stats while aiming to trace how Formula One became the highly engineered, media-driven phenomenon it is today. The new volume walks through decades of change, highlighting technical developments, pivotal races, and the personalities that have defined the sport. Familiar names such as Fangio, Senna, Lauda, Hamilton, and Verstappen appear alongside team figures like Enzo Ferrari and Colin Chapman. The book also reflects on Formula One’s quieter contributors, the mechanics, designers, and engineers, whose efforts often go unnoticed by fans. Presented as a curated selection rather than a complete archive, it offers a lens into how the sport has balanced tradition with constant reinvention. Brad Spurgeon, who covered Formula One for over two decades, brings a consistent voice and historical grounding to the collection. His experience following the sport firsthand allows for context beyond the headlines and race-day commentary. While the book itself is produced in the luxury format typical of Assouline, the stories within focus more on the evolution of the sport than on spectacle. At a time when Formula One is reaching wider audiences and generating new debate around its direction, this edition functions as a measured look back, one that doesn’t shy away from the sport’s risks and rewards that have shaped it. Shop Now Source: Assouline Publishing

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 19, 2026

The $45.5M Penthouse at Pendry Tampa Is What Dreams Are Made Of

When it comes to the country’s most sought-after real estate markets, Tampa, FL, consistently stands out. With a vibrant downtown, world-class dining and shopping, and an endless lineup of sports and entertainment, the city has become a playground for luxury living—and the upcoming Pendry Residences Tampa is already setting a new standard with plans for a $45.5 million penthouse. The 38-story luxury hotel and residential tower will live on the downtown Riverwalk overlooking Tampa Bay, adding yet another five-star destination to Pendry’s portfolio, including Chicago, San Diego, New York City, and Newport Beach. Developed by Two Roads Development in collaboration with Miami-based Arquitectonica and Toronto-based Studio Munge, the Pendry Tampa will offer 200 private residences, ranging from 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath units to 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath layouts, spanning 1,380 to 3,217 square feet. Set for completion by early 2027 as one of the city’s most anticipated luxury waterfront properties, the real big news resides at the very top, where an eight-figure penthouse will stand as the pinnacle of its entire design. The penthouse (Residence A) takes shape as an expansive 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom (plus den) with over 3,218 sq ft of interior space, positioned perfectly on the south side of the building for scenic water and sunset views. The design seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, featuring a 990-square-foot balcony that wraps from the primary bedroom around to the kitchen, living, and dining areas. At the hands of Studio Munge, the penthouse's interior design leans toward modern, minimal aesthetics, allowing the materials and craftsmanship to speak for themselves. That same thought extends to the primary bedroom and bathroom, where breathtaking styling complements the ocean views visible from bed or the bathtub. The kitchen and living area offer the perfect entertainment space for family and friends with custom millwork, marble countertops, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, and custom cabinetry. Residents of Pendry Tampa can expect a lifestyle that brings the best of luxury living with hotel-style service. Every home opens onto a private terrace, and custom kitchens and bathrooms add a polished, contemporary touch. Living here means access to a residents-only lobby, elevators, and rooftop pool, along with personalized services like in-residence dining and kitchen provisioning, all managed with care by Montage Hotels & Resorts. It’s the privacy of a high-end residence with the perks of world-class hospitality. Discover dR Realty Source: The Pendry Tampa

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 19, 2026

This Is What Happens When Bugatti Builds a $23K Roadbike

While it's always remained one of the most demanding and participatory sports around the globe, cycling's popularity is at an all-time high as health and fitness become a priority for most. And as advancements and technology have made cycling one of the best forms of high-intensity training, Formula 1 stars like Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso, and Charles Leclerc have partnered with leading bike brands and added long-distance rides to their regular off-track regimens. Today, that automotive inspiration continues as Bugatti is proud to announce its newest partnership with Factor Bikes, combining hypercar engineering with high-performance cycling. Designed and built in-house at its Norfolk, England headquarters, Factor Bikes has quickly climbed to the top of the industry in just nine years under the leadership of founder and former professional cyclist Rob Gitelis. The product of its newest venture with Molsheim hypercar manufacturer takes shape as the all-new Bugatti Factor ONE, inspired by a lineage of cars, from the 1920s Grand Prix-winning Type 35 race car, to modern marvels like the Veyron and Chiron. And limited to only 250 individually numbered bikes worldwide, it shares the same philosophy of exclusivity and attention to detail that defines every Bugatti automobile.The Bugatti Factor ONE features an advanced, lightweight carbon fiber frame, styled with a two-tone graphic that incorporates the brand's logo and historic shade of French Racing Blue as a nod to its past. The collaboration goes well beyond the frame, with nearly every component purpose-built to match its performance intent. From a custom Selle Italia saddle to tailored CARBON-TI rotors and chainrings and exclusive Continental tires, everything has been dialed in with a singular focus. The highlight is the Black Inc Bugatti Hyper 62 wheelset, essentially the cycling world’s take on a hypercar wheel, just 1,298 grams for the pair, with a 62mm profile shaped for high-speed and stability in crosswinds. Altogether, the Bugatti Factor ONE is like a statement piece for riders and collectors who want something rare, performance-focused, and a little over the top. Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2026

RUF Automobile Celebrates 30 Years Of Gran Turismo In Tokyo

While social media now makes it easy to become a car enthusiast with just a click through Instagram feeds and Facebook groups, there was a time when video games were the primary source of your automotive thrill. For PlayStation gamers, that excitement came from the Gran Turismo racing franchise and its 8 major console releases, which often acted as a gateway into a whole new realm of cars from brands like RUF Automobile. Now, more than 30 years after Gran Turismo’s debut, making its resurgence as a timeless classic, RUF recently celebrated its three-decade partnership over the weekend at Ginza Sony Park in Tokyo alongside Luftgekühlt. As part of the fuel-driven festivities, the RUF x Gran Turismo pop-up featured the RUF TRIBUTE, a simulator allowing guests to virtually race the original Yellowbird and other RUF cars, and a new limited capsule collection. “Gran Turismo® introduced RUF to an entire generation of enthusiasts, so designing this collection was about celebrating that shared history,” - Aloisa Ruf Designed by Aloisa Ruf, inspired by the legacy of Gran Turismo and Japanese anime artwork, the collection showcases long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts featuring hand-drawn sketches from the earliest design concepts of the RUF TRIBUTE. It also includes a RUF x Gran Turismo hoodie with a graphic inspired by the nostalgic in-game driving interface, two Japanese-style co-branded bucket hats, and a softshell jacket inspired by the functional jackets worn daily by the RUF team in Pfaffenhausen. Rounding out the collection are two crewneck sweatshirts with the “Pfaffenhausen RUF” insignia, an homage to the Bavarian town where every RUF automobile is designed, engineered, and built. Shop the collection by clicking the link below. Shop The Collection Source: RUF Automobile

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2026

Meet The ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition Helicopter

While some might question the overlap between off-road luxury and private air travel, Mercedes-Benz and Airbus Corporate Helicopters clarify it into a single idea: exploration. Behind its newest project, inspired by the beloved G-Class, the all-new ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition represents a fusion between off-road expertise and aerial freedom, conquering both the land and the sky. The G-Class has long set the benchmark for off-road luxury. Its purpose-built chassis and performance-focused engineering have cemented it as a timeless icon while inspiring a generation of adventurers. The ACH145 uses the same DNA in the sky, offering pilots and passengers the same sense of confidence and control. With a compact construction and maximum flight time of four hours, it’s built to go anywhere and everywhere on the fly. Whether it's navigating urban rooftops or secluded mountain peaks, the ACH145 delivers the kind of precision only Mercedes-Benz and Airbus can.Every curve, surface, and detail reflects Mercedes’ Sensual Purity design philosophy, creating a cabin that’s equally functional as it is luxurious. Genuine wood flooring meets cool metallic accents, while the highest-quality leathers and specifically designed seats offer the comfort of a G-Class. Space has been thoughtfully allotted to maximize passenger volume and cargo capacity, accommodating up to eight passengers. Integrated storage, armrests, and cup holders keep essentials close at hand, while a visual reduction of controls maintains a modern, minimal environment. All Mercedes-Benz Inventory Performance is just as important as the design itself. With a cruise speed of 137 knots and the advanced Helionix® avionics suite, the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition sets the new standard for aerial exploration. For those who’ve long admired the G-Class on land, this helicopter is the ultimate evolution, bringing off-road reliability to the skies. Add in an extensive configuration program, with almost limitless options to personalize your helicopter, and the Airbus Corporate Helicopter’s ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition is perfect for those who have no limits for adventure.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2026

Jacob & Co. Debuts Its Billionaire Double Tourbillon Watch

Inside the world of haute horology, there are watches that subtly flex style with traditional designs, and others that deliver a serious wow factor. For Jacob & Co. and its historic lineup of ultra-luxury creations, the focus has and continues to remain on pushing the boundaries of design while incorporating some of the world’s most precious diamonds and gemstones. As Jacob & Co. celebrates its 40th anniversary, it’s doing more than looking back at the past; it’s introducing something entirely new, the all-new Billionaire Double Tourbillon. Enter the Angel Cut, an exclusive diamond cut developed in-house over several years, designed to reimagine how light moves through a stone. Named after Angela, the wife of founder Jacob Arabo, the cut carries both technical significance and personal meaning, with 37 facets marking their 37 years of marriage.What makes the Angel Cut interesting is the actual engineering behind it. Instead of adding more facets like traditional brilliant cuts, Jacob & Co. focused on geometry, refining proportions and angles to control how light shines inside the diamond. The result is a lozenge-shaped table set within a rectangular look, producing a softer, more continuous glow rather than sharp flashes. In a world where round, brilliant, and emerald cuts represent tradition, the Angel Cut is a deliberate shift toward something more architectural, without losing the expectation of a high-end diamond.To launch it, Jacob & Co. went really big. The Angel Cut makes its debut in the Billionaire Double Tourbillon Angel Cut, a white gold limited-edition piece set with 298 diamonds totaling nearly 80 carats of diamonds. The case and dial are covered in carefully arranged stones, framing a skeletonized movement powered by the JCAM50 caliber, complete with twin flying tourbillons at 12 and 6 o’clock. It carries on the legacy of the classic Billionaire but now with a new layer of innovation baked in. Limited to just 18 pieces, the watch celebrates an anniversary while setting the tone for where Jacob & Co. goes next, with a diamond-cut design unlike any other. Source: Jacob & Co.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 17, 2026

How to Buy: Persol's Exclusive Senna Series Collection

Whether he was casually sporting a gold TAG Heuer watch on the deck of a yacht or heel-toe-shifting an Acura NSX in a pair of Italian leather loafers, Senna’s class and style perfectly complemented his confidence and love for competition. Embodying the essence of Ayrton, Persol launched a line of sunglasses and prescription glasses titled the Senna Series Collection. Persol is bringing back Ayrton Senna’s signature sunglasses with a fresh twist, teaming up with Netflix’s Senna series to celebrate the racing legend’s timeless style. Inspired by the shades he famously wore, the collection keeps things classic with a bold pilot shape and a mix of rich color options. It’s a nod to the golden era of racing while making sure the look still feels right at home today. Persol is also rolling out new styles that capture Senna’s bold aesthetic while adding some modern touches. The acetate sweatband and subtle Senna branding keep the connection to his original pair, and each design comes in a special case and packaging. Whether you’re a motorsport fan or just love a clean, vintage-inspired look, the Persol Senna Series brings a little racing legend flair to everyday style. Shop The Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 17, 2026

World-Premiere Yachts Headline Palm Beach Boat Show 2026

Every March, West Palm Beach shifts into full marine mode as the Palm Beach International Boat Show rolls into town. The docks and waterfront fill with more than 55,000 visitors wandering through a floating showcase of the latest yacht and superyacht designs, alongside sportfishing boats, cruisers, center consoles, inflatables, and just about every marine accessory imaginable. This year is no different, as boat builders, brands, and attendees gear up for what's looking to be one of the most promising events yet. In addition to all the marine madness, the week is packed with experiences for all to enjoy, from curated culinary delights from local chefs to hands-on fishing clinics and seminars, and everything in between. In anticipation of the 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show, from March 25th to 29th, the marine world is already getting teasers for some of the big world debuts, from 130ft+ superyachts designed with 5-star amenities, to modern day cruisers with plenty of power to explore the open waters. Guests can expect world premieres from industry leaders like Marani, Galeon, Denison Yachting, Numarine, Sunreef, and so many others. Explore some of the upcoming highlights at the Palm Beach International Boat Show and get your tickets by scrolling below. Buy Tickets Manari Yachts 52 World Debut New Miami-based brand Manari Yachts will host the world premiere of their first yacht, Manari 52, one of the fastest Volvo IPS-powered 52-foot yachts ever built. Discover Manari Yachts Galeon Yachts 520 Fly World Premiere The 520 FLY represents the latest advancement in Galeon’s flybridge collection, reflecting decades of in-house craftsmanship and the distinctive exterior styling of Tony Castro. Discover Galeon Yachts Santasevera 52 & 42 Double Debut The Italian shipyard makes its PBIBS entry with two models designed by Francesco Guida. The show marks the first appearance of the Santasevera 52, a 16m open cruiser embodying Mediterranean elegance, alongside the highly anticipated official US debut of the Santasevera 42. Discover Santasevera Yacht Numarine 40MXP World Debut Numarine will host the world premiere of the 40MXP superyacht. The 40-metre flagship represents the latest evolution of the shipyard's Mediterranean-focused explorer platform. Discover Numarine Alia Yachts 43M Ximena World Debut The 43m full-custom Ximena, a sharp, performance-driven superyacht by Alia Yachts, will make her world debut at the show. Visitors will have the opportunity to step aboard and experience firsthand the latest addition to the shipyard’s growing fleet of bespoke superyachts. Discover Alia Yachts Sirena 60 U.S. Debut After her success at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, the Sirena 60 will now make her first public appearance in the U.S., bringing her refined design and long-range cruising capability to American owners. Discover Sirena Yachts Grand Banks 70th Anniversary Grand Banks Yachts is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2026, marking seven decades of boatbuilding innovation that has shaped the modern power cruising yacht. The milestone celebration will officially kick off at PBIBS. Discover Grand Banks Yachts Sunreef ULTIMA 88 Unveiling Sunreef Yachts will officially introduce the new Brand Ambassador and share the story behind this collaboration. The spotlight will also be placed on the Sunreef ULTIMA 88, the model personally selected by the Ambassador. Discover Sunreef Yachts Maritimo M50 North American Debut With the introduction of the M50, Maritimo signals a decisive return to this highly desirable size range that it has dominated for more than 20 years. Discover Maritimo Americas

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 13, 2026

PUMA Unveils Ferrari CHN GP Pack for Chinese Grand Prix

With the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season in the books, teams and drivers have already packed up and arrived at the Shanghai International Circuit for the next stop on the calendar: the Chinese Grand Prix. Vibes are high in the Scuderia Ferrari paddock, both for Charles Leclerc securing P2 in Melbourne and for the debut of its new team and fanwear collection created especially for Chinese Tifosi.At its core, the 2026 PUMA Scuderia Ferrari HP CHN GP PACK celebrates Ferrari’s racing DNA. For decades, Scuderia Ferrari has represented relentless competition, legendary engineering, and the unmistakable symbolism of the Italian Prancing Horse. With this latest drop, PUMA channels that identity into wearable motorsport streetwear, with elevated replicas of official team apparel that mirror what you’d see trackside during a Formula 1 race weekend.Visually, the collection feels modern while remaining rooted in motorsport heritage. Fluid gradient graphics run throughout the apparel, where deep blue transitions into Ferrari’s iconic Rosso Corsa red. The effect captures the sense of motion that echoes the blur of an SF-26 passing at full speed. The collection also showcases exclusive replica caps inspired by Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Each features driver-specific details with Ferrari’s signature red and yellow palette, while the golden Prancing Horse shield on the brim reinforces it as official team gear. Gear up for the next stop on the Formula One schedule and root on Scuderia Ferrari to victory with these exclusive pieces. Shop PUMA x Scuderia Ferrari

By Sponsored Article – March 13, 2026

Why You May Not Really Be “Accessing” Private Markets

By Crowd Street. You may be hearing about the expansion of private markets everywhere these days. Most of the time, people are talking about 401(k)s. In May 2025, Empower announced it would begin allowing private assets in some of the 401(k) plans it manages. 1 And in August 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to expand these offerings. 2 These headlines sound big, but read the fine print and you’ll find these plans don’t necessarily hand you the steering wheel as a private markets investor. Most 401(k) offerings will come through managed accounts. Translation: you generally don’t pick the fund, and you don’t choose the assets. 3 Some call this “access.” It’s really “access with caveats.” Even if your 401(k) includes private assets, you’re probably not investing on your own terms. Fortunately, 401(k)s aren’t the only new way to invest in private markets. Let’s unpack these recent changes — and the other options investors have today. Why Is Access to Private Markets Expanding? First, a bit of background: what exactly are private markets, and why is there a push to expand access to them? “Private” — also called “alternative” — refers to any asset not traded on a public exchange. The most familiar categories are private equity, private credit, and commercial real estate. Historically, access to these assets was limited to ultra-wealthy and institutional investors, such as endowments, pensions, and sovereign wealth funds. 4 That’s begun to change, including through these new 401(k) products. Over the past two decades, private assets have grown to represent a much larger share of the economy. Nearly nine in ten companies with at least $100 million in annual revenue are now privately held. 5 And these private companies have outperformed their public market counterparts over 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year periods. 6 Source: PitchBook, Q1 2025 North America PitchBook Benchmarks Report, Data as of March 31, 2025. Data represents equal weighted horizon IRRs. All public index values are total return CAGRs. All private capital returns are net of fees and accrued carry. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. The performance of private assets has prompted efforts to open them to more investors. Many individuals are eager to allocate to the same fast-growing segment of the economy that many institutions and the ultra-wealthy have long invested in.7 The question now is how best to make that happen. Is “Access” Still Access If You Don’t Have Control? A common assumption is that individual investors want access to private markets, but not the work of studying them or managing their allocations. Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, made this point during a recent CNBC segment. Asked how investors would approach private assets, Rowan replied, “Do [investors] actually do the work? I don’t think so.”8 That view is reflected in many of the expected 401(k) offerings. As The Wall Street Journal notes, “If an employer decides to allow private investments in its plan, a managed-accounts adviser will determine how much of each investor’s portfolio to allocate to them.”9 Is “access” really access if it doesn’t come with control? Crowd Street doesn’t think so. A Different Path for Retirement Investors For investors who want to allocate retirement capital to private assets, managed 401(k) accounts aren’t the only path. A longstanding and increasingly popular option is the self-directed IRA, or SDIRA. With an SDIRA, investors can access private companies, real estate, and other alternative assets on their own terms. It’s often described as “hands-on control” over retirement savings.10 These accounts allow investors to diversify beyond the traditional mix of stocks and bonds while maintaining direct involvement in their allocations, rather than deferring to a managed account provider. How Crowd Street Keeps Investors in Control For more than a decade, Crowd Street has enabled individuals to invest in alternative assets. If there’s one thing the company has learned in that time, it’s that most investors do the work. They want to review opportunities, study materials, and make choices that reflect their goals and risk tolerance. That’s why, as Crowd Street expanded its private market offerings, it kept control front and center. The platform enables investors to participate in individual deals and managed funds, either directly or through self-directed IRAs. That combination of access and control is one of the ways to invest like institutions do. And it’s what makes Crowd Street the home for self-directed investors in the private markets. Visit crowdstreet.com to discover more. Visit CrowdStreet.com 1 https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/empower-401k-private-markets-retirement-accounts-fa74dd002 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/democratizing-access-to-alternative-assets-for-401k-investors/3 https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/trump-private-assets-retirement-plans.html4 https://www.blackrock.com/se/individual/themes/discovering-private-markets5 https://www.apolloacademy.com/many-more-private-firms-in-the-us/6 https://www.futurestandard.com/insights/chart-of-the-week/private-equity-outperformance7 https://www.bain.com/insights/why-private-equity-is-targeting-individual-investors-global-private-equity-report-2023/8 https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/apollo-ceo-marc-rowan-says-traditional-investing-model-is-broken.html9 https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/empower-401k-private-markets-retirement-accounts-fa74dd0010 https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2025/04/30/why-more-americans-are-turning-to-self-directed-iras-for-real-estate-and-alternative-investments/83367228007/ CrowdStreet, Inc. (Crowd Street) offers investment opportunities on its website (the “Platform”). Broker-dealer services in connection with the placement of securities are offered through CrowdStreet Capital LLC (Crowd Street Capital), a registered broker-dealer Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered exclusively to private funds and not otherwise provided to Crowd Street’s members through CrowdStreet Advisors, LLC (Crowd Street Advisors), a federally registered investment adviser. This communication is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as a recommendation, an offer to sell securities, or a solicitation to buy any investment products or services. Investment opportunities available through Crowd Street are speculative and involve substantial risk. Visit CrowdStreet.com for additional disclosures, our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy. This article was written by an employee of Crowd Street and has been prepared solely for informational purposes. This article is not intended to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors and does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any investor. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. All investors should consider such factors in consultation with a professional advisor of their choosing when deciding if an investment is appropriate. The views and statements expressed by this publisher are made solely by the third party and are based upon the opinions of the publisher.

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