To drive the 48 hairpins of the Stelvio Pass competitively is to take on one of the biggest motoring challenges in Europe, only matched by a lap of the Nurburgring (Nordschleife) circuit.

This majestic road, close to the Swiss border, opened in 1825 and rising to 9,045ft connects Valtellina and Meran in Italy. Well, as from 1 January the ‘Stelvio’ becomes a toll road. Mind you, this should give you a clear start to the climb before catching up with the inevitable camper van.