Pole Position

It was the same in Düsseldorf, where Frauscher and Porsche presented the 790 Spectre with a powertrain from the Porsche Macan (alongside the Macan Turbo Concept Lago, whose distinctive marine design was shaped by the Austrian shipbuilders) — we wrote about it in the last issue of the magazine. It was the same when Vita Power teamed up with Maserati to release the Tridente electric boat, and when Riva, back in 1990, presented the fiery-red Riva Ferrari 32 in collaboration with Ferrari.

Such examples are growing in number each year, and they never fail to capture our attention. Because we know exactly what unites these two worlds. They are united by passion. A thirst for speed, for uncompromising, instantly recognisable style, and for pinpoint handling. And collaborations like these cannot help but inspire.

Today, one such model is in the spotlight — the Astor 38 PISTA by Bellini. It should be noted, however, that contrary to the established tradition, the "automotive" side of this project involved not a manufacturer, but a racing driver! We owe the creation of this model to Francesco Castellacci, an Italian-Monegasque pilot for Vista AF Corse, a regular competitor in the FIA World Endurance Championship and winner of the 6 Hours of Fuji in both 2023 and 2024.

It is easy to guess that Castellacci is not the type to be satisfied with an ordinary cruiser, of which there are dozens in any marina. He needed a yacht at whose helm he could be himself — a racer. And ideally, it should be clear to everyone else just who is at the wheel.

Bellini Yacht took on this challenging brief. The philosophy of the Italian shipyard, clearly reflected in its model range, was not initially aligned with the world of motor racing — unlike, for instance, Frauscher, whose futuristic and uncompromisingly fast boats have always invited comparison with one supercar or another. Bellini, by contrast, had always emphasised "aesthetic rationality," creating luxurious cruising boats and yachts where owner and guest comfort was paramount.

But one should not forget another important facet of Bellini's philosophy — they openly declare that the boundaries of luxury are meant to be pushed. And what better reason to cross another line than the whims of a famous racing driver?

The final result is something all parties can justifiably be proud of. On the one hand, the shipyard managed to preserve Bellini's recognisable style, its signature lines, and what is often called the brand's DNA. On the other, the yacht unmistakably reflects the character of a specific racer — his passion for speed and a level of personalisation rare for production models. All the design and, presumably, many of the technical solutions for the Astor 38 PISTA were discussed directly with Castellacci. Even the name of the yacht built for the pilot — PISTA — translates from Italian as "racing track."

The first thing that catches the eye is, of course, the livery. The silver metallic finish on the hull, combined with the red waterline, is a direct reference to the Ferrari LMGT3 that Castellacci has been piloting for the last several seasons. The windscreen frame deserves a special mention: it is painted in the iconic shade Giallo Modena — that legendary yellow that has become one of Ferrari's emblems.

"The Astor 38 PISTA was born from a direct dialogue with the Bellini Yacht shipyard and their customisation studio. I was struck by their meticulous approach to the project — there was no question of choosing a ready-made boat from the range; we decided to create it together, detail by detail, step by step," says Castellacci. "I was able to bring elements of my world — the world of racing — into a different, yet equally technologically advanced and refined context. The result is a model that reflects my character one hundred percent. And the reference to the colours of my Ferrari LMGT3 Evo makes my connection with the boat even more personal, emphasising the kinship between the track and the sea."

The interiors consistently develop the racing theme: the helm station features deep bucket seats upholstered in fabric with a pattern reminiscent of the legendary Ferrari Daytona, evoking the kerbs of racing circuits, and a dashboard that looks as if it were taken straight from a race car. The seating position is low, almost automotive — exactly what Castellacci was aiming for. At the centre of the composition is a steering wheel with a red zero mark.

The yacht's bold design did not prevent Bellini from equipping it with everything needed for extended relaxation on the water. Four berths and a separate head with a full shower provide the necessary level of comfort, while the well-thought-out layout allows up to eight people to gather in the cockpit. There is a separate two-person cabin on board, and the forward deck area, which serves as a sunbathing zone, can be transformed into a dining area if desired.

The teak decking gives the space a polished, well-kept appearance — exactly what you would expect from an Italian shipyard with rich traditions. But Bellini's main structural surprise is the folding bulwark sections aft, which turn the cockpit into a wide terrace with easy access to the water. The sea is literally within arm's reach!

The Astor 38 hull is designed for stability at high speeds: the lines are calculated to ensure the yacht tracks confidently even at full load. The model is offered with a choice of two Volvo Penta outboard engines — either petrol V8s (350 hp) or more economical D4 diesels (300 hp). With the petrol powerplant, the manufacturer claims a top speed of 32 knots at a third of maximum load — a respectable figure for a 38-foot cruiser that does not sacrifice comfort for dynamics.

It was recently announced that the project for Francesco Castellacci will not remain a one-off experiment. Seeing its potential, the bosses at Bellini Yacht decided to put the model into series production. The racer's idea coincided neatly with the shipyard's internal plans, which were already developing a new boat in this size class. The hardest part remained — finding that missing "spark" — and the creative dialogue with the pilot gave the project the necessary impetus.

"The Astor 38 represents the perfect combination of comfort and performance. When we first began our collaboration with Francesco Castellacci, we knew we were creating something exceptional," comments Martina Bellini, Marketing Director of the Bellini Group. "Turning a custom project into a production model was a natural evolution. This yacht perfectly reflects our shipyard's philosophy: bold ideas, uncompromising quality, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to turn a daring vision into reality."

The production version, which will be presented to the public at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2026, will retain the prototype's dynamic style but will feature a more restrained colour scheme: a silver hull with blue accents instead of the striking racing livery. Francesco Castellacci can rest easy — his Bellini Astor 38 PISTA will remain one of a kind.