In London This Weekend: The Best Pizza In Europe & A Ferrari F1 Car

You can’t move in London at the moment for F1 activations ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend. Last night we fought through a sea of orange as McLaren fans took to Trafalgar Square for McLaren Live, with appearances from Oscar Piastri and British title contender Lando Norris, toward Covent Garden for an all-red event by Ferrari sponsor Peroni. Here, the appearance from seven-time (fan edit: eight-time) world champion Lewis Hamilton was more intimate, as he opened The House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% with a cocktail and pizza masterclass with award-winning mixologist Federico Riezzo and the ‘no.1 pizza chef in Europe’ Michele Pascarella. 

If you’re thinking that pizza and cocktails is the sub-optimum way to prepare for an F1 grand prix, you’d be absolutely right, and Lewis doesn’t drink alcohol, so the drink of the evening was Lewis’ signature mocktail, the ‘#44’ combining the 0% beer with the driver’s non-alcoholic tequila brand Almavé. Lewis appeared onstage with Pascarella and Riezzo to make the drink and assist with the making of a vegan pizza, though he declined to taste it, revealing that he was on a pre-race fast. ‘I discovered Dishoom, and ate so much,’ Hamilton told the room. ‘I have to weigh myself every morning and there are panic days. I get on the scales and all my engineers come around and they’re judging me! So then I have to do a 20-hour fast.’

The event at The Stables, Covent Garden runs from 3-5 July and also features a full-size Scuderia Ferrari HP show car, replica helmets of Ferrari drivers Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, and a mini gallery showcasing race-inspired looks influenced by Hamilton and Leclerc. Fans should ensure they are not fasting when they visit during the daily Aperitivo Hour, where the team will be serving up the bespoke pizzas and cocktails, alongside Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%, and the Pit Garage bar will be providing atmosphere in the form of DJ sets from artists like Roman Kemp. 

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis revealed that he’ll be trying out Michele Pascarella’s pizza post-race on Sunday, and we caught up with Michele to find out just what makes his work so special. 

Q&A With Michele Pascarella

Can you tell us how you started out, and the journey to being named No1 Pizza Chef in Europe?

I began as a one-man-show on a three wheeled ape piaggio van that would travel around London markets, making and serving pizzas based on traditional Neapolitan methods from my childhood. It was literally my way of bringing Napoli on the road. 

How did making street-side pizza shape your approach to what you do?

Street-side pizza is tied to Napoli and the food scene of the city, where pizzaiolos make fritti, pizza portafolio and calzones for the hungry masses. When I moved to restaurants I wanted to change my approach to pizza for a different audience, but the ethos of bringing people together around food remains at the heart of Napoli on the Road.

Is yours the best pizza in London?

 Yes!

Tell us about designing the exclusive Ferrari F1 driver-inspired pizzas for The House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% pop-up, how did you decide which flavours and ingredients would best represent Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton?

Lewis’ pizza required creativity to devise, but starting with some of his favourite ingredients like aribbiata sauce artichokes, we were able to create a delicious pizza that Lewis could enjoy! Leclerc’s love of prosciutto is something any Neapolitan worth their salt can get behind, so we made a traditional pizza that is tasty and well-balanced. Both pair beautifully with Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%! 

What can guests expect from your pizza-making masterclass at The House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%?

I hope guests leave knowing how to make a great pizza, especially one that they can make at home for their family and friends. We pride ourselves on using high-quality pizza ovens, but we always want people to be able to enjoy and bake these pizzas in their own kitchens.

How do you keep your menu fresh and exciting for regular customers while staying true to your roots? Are there any other pizza chefs you keep an eye on?

Our menu stays true to the seasons and we’re always inventing and testing new flavours and combinations, which keeps our guests on their toes. You never know what will be on offer when you walk through our doors! The only pizza chefs I keep an eye on are the ones on my team!

What is the secret to making a truly great pizza?

Simplicity, hard work, and good ingredients are all you need! 

The House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% is open from 3rd–5th July at The Stables, Covent Garden. Free tickets are available via sign-up at Club Peroni.