Barcelona Students Inspired by Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ Sporting Director at Exclusive Event

• Marco Perrone, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ Sporting Director, visited students at Yugo Aleu to share industry insights and career advice. 
• Adding to the celebrations, Yugo announced plans to open three new spaces in Barcelona before the autumn semester, offering over 3,000 beds across the city.

BARCELONA, 13 June 2025: Students at Yugo Aleu were recently treated to an unforgettable visit from Marco Perrone, Sporting Director of the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1™ Team (VCARB), who stopped by to offer advice on breaking into the world of motorsport engineering.

The Italian engineer reflected on the team’s recent strong result at the Monaco Grand Prix and looked ahead to the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. His visit marked the first in a series of exclusive events for students, part of Yugo’s new partnership as the student housing operating partner of the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team.

A Winning Collaboration

Yugo’s alliance with VCARB gives students across its global spaces unprecedented access to unique experiences and inspiring industry leaders. 

The visit came just as Yugo prepares to open three new student residences in Barcelona this summer, bringing its total number of properties in the city to eight. These Yugo spaces will offer over 3,000 student beds.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Talent

During the exclusive student event at Yugo Aleu, Marco Perrone shared how his international experience shaped his career.

“I always dreamed of working in the racing industry, and that focus helped guide me through my academic years,” said Marco. He recalled winning an Erasmus scholarship at age 21 to study Mechanical Engineering at UPC, in Barcelona.

Marco joined VCARB which was then known as Scuderia Toro Rosso, straight after graduation as an R&D Engineer and highlighted the team’s active collaboration with universities and industry to nurture young talent.

When asked what he looks for in student candidates, he said: “Experiences that push them out of their comfort zone, studying abroad, extracurriculars, speaking multiple languages. Those things make a big difference.”

Yugo’s Growth in Barcelona Continues

The visit is the first of many activities planned to help Yugo students grow their professional networks and gain real-world insight into their fields of interest.

Ahead of the new academic year, Yugo will open three additional properties in Barcelona:

• Yugo Cerdanyola Alba Viu – Located between the Bellaterra campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Sant Cugat
• Yugo Bellvitge María Oliveras – Located adjacent to Bellvitge Hospital
• Yugo Terassa - Located in the heart of Terrassa

All Yugo spaces will offer a mix of private studios and single rooms, with high-quality shared amenities such as study spaces, fully equipped gyms, swimming pools, and cinema rooms.

“This fantastic event with Marco Perrone gave our students unique access to a leader in global motorsport,” said Simon Griffiths, SVP of Operations Europe. “It’s part of our commitment to not just provide a place to live, but to help students create unforgettable experiences that support them in building the future they dream of.”

With Yugo’s continued growth in Barcelona, more students will benefit from its award-winning student experience, which brings together global industry leaders and next-generation talent.