When Sanrivatti first emerged from stealth mode earlier this year, it introduced a simple yet provocative idea: what if a hypercar were designed, developed and honed around the driver rather than the machine?
For decades, hypercar development has focused on increasing performance through greater power, advancing aerodynamics and ever-more sophisticated technology. Yet one fundamental aspect of the driving experience has remained consistent: the position of the driver.
Sanrivatti began by asking a different question: what if the way we position the human body inside a high-performance car limits the connection between driver and machine?
Today, the pioneering brand reveals its answer: The Apex Position. A unique, world-first driving concept that completely rewrites the rulebook for ultra-high-performance car ergonomics and places the driver at the very centre of the hypercar experience.
Unique, driver-centred philosophy
At the nucleus of the new Sanrivatti hypercar is Apex Position, Sanrivatti’s revolutionary driving concept, which positions the driver head-forward to create a fundamentally different relationship between human and machine.
This approach seamlessly blends superbike with hypercar, bringing unparalleled benefits in field of vision, vehicle placement on track and physical immersion and engagement, transforming the experience of driving.
The origins of Apex Position can be traced to a question that founder and CEO Santiago Sánchez Rivero has been exploring for years: why does the connection between rider and machine feel so immediate on a high-performance motorcycle, yet often more distant inside even the world’s most capable performance cars?
“On a high-performance motorcycle, rider and machine move as one,” says Santiago. “The connection is immediate, physical and instinctive. Every movement of the body directly influences the experience; every change in balance, posture and perception becomes part of the interaction.
“By contrast, even the world’s most capable performance cars frequently separate driver and machine through layers of architecture, packaging, systems technologies and convention.”
Within the Sanrivatti philosophy, body alignment, visibility, ergonomics and physical awareness are foundational elements of hypercar development rather than secondary considerations. As a result of this radical change in mindset, the driver is more fundamentally integrated with the vehicle.
Reimagined driving experience
Unlike a conventional hypercar, where the driver is typically positioned behind the front axle in a reclined cockpit, Sanrivatti’s architecture places the driver in a more central, forward-focused position within the vehicle.
The architecture combines immersive ergonomics, enhanced body alignment, an extended field of vision and controls designed around natural human movement. Proprietary Sanrivatti technologies currently under development will also enable the driver to move more naturally with the vehicle, helping to create a heightened sense of awareness, superior balance, and enhanced connection during acceleration, braking and cornering.
Rather than isolating the driver from the sensations acting upon the vehicle, Sanrivatti’s Apex Position makes them a more active participant within the experience itself, fundamentally enhancing how speed, movement and connection are felt.
“For decades, the automotive industry has relentlessly evolved the driving machine yet rarely questioned the position of the human being inside it,” continues Santiago. “I became fascinated by the possibility that a different driving position could fundamentally change how a vehicle is experienced. So Sanrivatti was founded to explore that very possibility.
“For me, the question was never how to create more power or more speed. The question was how to create a deeper connection between driver and machine. Sanrivatti was founded with the belief that the human body should play a much greater role in shaping the driving experience. Everything we are developing today stems from that philosophy.”
Building a world-class team
To help bring the pioneering Sanrivatti vision to life, the company has begun assembling an experienced global team spanning engineering, vehicle development and commercial expertise. Among those joining the programme is Paul Arkesden, Sanrivatti’s new Executive Director of Technology Partnerships and one of the automotive industry’s most experienced engineering and technology leaders. Paul’s career spans more than three decades across some of the world’s most respected performance and luxury automotive brands, including Singer Vehicle Design, McLaren Automotive and McLaren Special Operations. His previous roles include Vice President of Engineering at Singer, Head of Engineering at McLaren Special Operations and Project Leader for the McLaren P1 hypercar programme.
“What attracted me to Sanrivatti was the originality of the thinking behind it,” said Paul. “The automotive industry has become incredibly effective at refining established ideas, however, opportunities to explore genuinely new perspectives are much rarer.
“The philosophy Santiago has envisaged and the solution being created places the human being at the very centre of the driving experience. That initiates fascinating opportunities from both an engineering and experiential perspective, and it is one of the reasons I became involved.”
The wider Sanrivatti programme is also supported by Commercial Strategic Advisor Geoff Dowding, an experienced automotive executive whose previous leadership positions include senior roles at Lotus, Bentley, Harley-Davidson and Al Habtoor Motors.
“Throughout my career, I have seen many ambitious automotive projects, but what stands out about Sanrivatti is the clarity of the vision behind it,” said Geoff. “The team is not chasing trends or attempting to replicate what already exists. It is pursuing a genuinely differentiated idea, and that creates a compelling foundation for the future.”
The growing team reflects Sanrivatti’s rapid momentum as the company accelerates prototype development. More news will be revealed in the coming months.
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