Porsche 911 GT3 RS Through the Eyes of Chef Zanoni

Explore how Michelin-starred chef Simone Zanoni describes driving the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, based on a Porsche interview linking precision, racing, and daily work.

Simone Zanoni describes his first lap in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS as one of the most intense moments of his life — not simply as an emotional experience, but as a reflection of how he approaches performance, precision, and control.

The 911 GT3 RS is not a conventional sports car. It is engineered with a clear focus on the racetrack, featuring a high-revving naturally aspirated engine, advanced aerodynamics, and significant downforce. Lightweight construction and a setup derived from motorsport define its character. For Zanoni, this level of precision is exactly what makes the car meaningful.

As the head chef of Le George at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, a Michelin-starred restaurant since 2017, Zanoni applies a similar mindset in his professional life. He compares his daily routine to a racing strategy — managing energy, balancing risks, and maintaining control over timing. In this context, the 911 GT3 RS becomes more than a machine; it operates as an extension of that structured approach.

His attitude toward the car reflects this connection. Zanoni emphasizes that a 911 should never be driven without respect, describing it as a form of engineering culture. He deliberately avoids overreliance on screens and digital interfaces, focusing instead on physical feedback, movement, and responsiveness. In his words, the 911 is “timeless, precise, and emotional.”

The environments he chooses to drive in reinforce the car’s purpose. Mountain roads such as the Tonale Pass in Italy provide technical challenges with elevation changes and complex corners, while the racetrack — especially early in the morning — offers the clarity needed to fully engage with the car’s capabilities.

Modern iterations of the GT3 RS underline this philosophy. Developed with direct input from motorsport, the car incorporates advanced aerodynamic systems, including drag reduction concepts, and is designed to deliver maximum performance under track conditions. It is not built for compromise, but for controlled, repeatable precision at high speeds.

Through Zanoni’s perspective, the 911 GT3 RS is presented not only as a high-performance vehicle, but as a disciplined tool — one that demands focus and rewards accuracy, much like the work required in a professional kitchen.