Monthly Archives: March 2015

 

The FXX-K is “Best of the Best”

Posted: 30.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Red Dot Awards for product design also for LaFerrari and California T

Maranello, March 30 – Three Ferraris have won the prestigious Red Dot Award, the world’s leading product design competition which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

The recent FXX-K has been named Red Dot Best of the Best for the top design quality and ground-breaking design, while both the California T and LaFerrari were also singled out by the international jury for Red Dot Awards for the high quality of their design.

Approximately 5,000 innovative entries from 56 nations were in the competition. The work of the Ferrari Style Centre headed by Flavio Manzoni was selected by an international jury made up of respected designers, design professors and specialist journalists from 25 countries.  The awards ceremony takes place in Essen, Germany, on June 29 next.

 

FXX K: the beauty of performance

Posted: 30.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

The story of the design of the XX programme’s latest product, named Red Dot Best of the Best

It was designed and built specifically for the track with spectacularly efficient aerodynamics and an exceptional engine. Even Sebastian Vettel uttered an unforgettable “Mamma mia!” when he got his first taste of its power. Ironically, however,it has now won its first prize – the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best Award – for its design rather than its performance.Because form is as vital as function even in a beast of a car like this.
We’re talking, of course, about the FXX K, unveiled officially at the last Finali Mondiali in Abu Dhabi and the fruit of a symbiotic partnership between Ferrari’s GT and GES racing divisions. Arriving almost two years after the launch of the Prancing Horse’s most powerful ever road car, LaFerrari, this is extreme version was designed exclusively for track use.
For Flavio Manzoni and his team at the Ferrari Styling Centre, it provided the perfect opportunity to unleash the full power and potential of the original design. As ever, the car’s good looks are absolutely functional and every single line has been designed to enhance its performance. The FXX K’s striking good looks and meticulous detailing are entirely the product of work done hand-in-glove with Ferrari’s aerodynamicists.
All of the bodywork panels have been radically modified to generate extra downforce but, of course, without impinging on the car’s aesthetic. For instance, flaps are mounted on top of vertical rear fins that recall the tails of fighter planes. The fins are integrated into the tops of the rear wings and reinforce the dynamic arrow-shape side profile.
The eye is instantly drawn also to the horizontal LED stripes that replace conventional headlights and broaden the front view of the car. The car’s lines are masterfully underscored too by an aggressive racing livery, an integral part of its style.
All of this combined with a lower set-up, wider track, higher camber and slicks on lighter wheels underscore the FXX K’s vocation for the track.

 

World premiere of the FXX K at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali in Abu Dhabi

Posted: 02.12.2014
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 2 December 2014 – Ferrari’s new FXX K research and development programme receives its world premiere next weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The laboratory-car is based on Maranello’s first hybrid model and will grace the world’s tracks from next year onwards. The K in its moniker is a reference to the “KERS” kinetic energy recovery system it adopts in maximising its track performance.

Unfettered by homologation and racing regulations, the FXX K will never be used in competition. It was, in fact, developed to be completely uncompromising, incorporating technological innovations that will guarantee an unprecedented driving experience to the exclusive group of Client-Test Drivers with whom the Prancing Horse will roll out a test programme over the coming two years.

The car’s enormous potential is attested to by two significant figures: a total power output of 1050 cv (860 cv delivered by its conventional V12 engine and 190 by its electric motor) and maximum torque in excess of 900 Nm.

The FXX K’s 6262 cc V12 features new camshafts and a modified valve train with mechanical rather than hydraulic tappets. The intake manifolds have been redesigned and given a special type of polishing treatment. The exhaust system has been modified as its silencers have been eliminated.

The HY-KERS system has been evolved specifically for pure performance with the result that the driver can control the function logics from the specific 4-setting Manettino on the centre console: Qualify, for maximum performance within a limited number of laps; Long Run to optimise performance consistency; Manual Boost for instant maximum torque delivery; and Fast Charge, for a fast recharge of the car’s battery.

A focus on delivering maximum efficiency at every stage of every track lap has resulted in extensive but integrated work on the entire car body in terms of both active and passive aerodynamics.

The front of the car is dominated by a twin-profile spoiler and a larger splitter, which is 30 mm lower, with a gap in its centre. This design is an application of the concepts developed to improve aero balance in the GT category of the WEC, which Ferrari has won for three consecutive years. Two pairs of vertical elements, an endplate and, externally, a dive plane, together with vertical fins channel the air towards the car’s flanks, generating a longitudinal vortex that creates a localised depression. This in turn sucks the wake from the wheels to the outside of the aerodynamic underbody. Along with the side skirts that extend out from the sills, the vortex helps isolate the airflow from the underbody to boost its efficiency.

The solutions on the rear of the car are highly sophisticated, too. The tail section is now higher and the mobile spoiler extends further for a total increase in extension of 60mm when fully deployed. A vertical fin and a small wing each side of the tail act as guide vanes in the low drag configuration and boost the spoiler’s efficiency in the high downforce one. This system also creates considerable downforce at the rear of the car, allowing the use of an extreme diffusion volume for the rear diffuser which optimises air extraction from the underbody. The section of the flat underbody just ahead of the rear wheels is also exploited to the full to generate downforce thanks to the reduced pressure in the wheel arch guaranteed by the direct connection to the rear of the car by a by-pass duct.

The result is a 50% improvement in downforce in the low drag configuration and a 30% improvement in the more aggressive downforce configuration, resulting in a figure of 540 kg at 200 km/h.

Vehicle dynamics are further improved by the adoption of Pirelli slicks complete with sensors that monitor longitudinal, lateral and radial acceleration, as well as temperature and pressure. This ensures an accurate analysis of the interaction between the tyre and track surface, providing even more vital data to enable the traction control system to guarantee maximum performance.

The intervention level of the E-Diff electronic differential, F-Trac traction control, Racing SSC (Side Slip Angle Control) – now specially calibrated to suit the car’s slick tyres – and the high-performance ABS can be controlled using the five-position Manettino on the steering wheel.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

KERS system
Total maximum power 1050 cv
Total maximum torque >900 Nm
V12 maximum power* 860 cv @ 9200 rpm
Maximum revs 9250 rpm
V12 maximum torque 750 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Electric motor output 140 Kw (190 cv)

ICE
Type 65-deg. V12
Bore and stroke 94 x 75.2 mm
Total displacement 6262 cc
Specific power 137 cv/l
Dimensions
Length 4896 mm
Width 2051 mm
Height 1116 mm
Wheelbase 2650 mm

Gearbox
7-speed DCT

Suspension
Front double wishbones
Rear multi-link
Tyres (Pirelli P-Zero slicks with sensors )
Front 285/650 – R19 x10.5
Rear 345/725 – R20x13
Carbon ceramic brakes (Brembo)
Front 398 x 223 x 36 mm
Rear 380 x 253 x 34 mm

Electronic controls
ESC stability control
High perf ABS/EBD Performance anti-lock system/electronic brake balance
EF1-Trac F1 electronic traction control integrated with the hybrid system
E-Diff 3 third generation electronic differential
SCM-E Frs magnetorheological damping with twin solenoids (Al-Ni tube)
Aerodynamics active

* with dynamic ram effect

 

 

World Endurance Championship – Testing ends at Paul Ricard

Posted: 28.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Le Castellet, 28 March – This afternoon, the official test session for the World Endurance Championship ended. It was the final opportunity for teams, drivers and constructors in the most important closed wheel championship in the world to fine tune the last details before the season gets underway. Ferrari, the winning GT constructor in 2014, fielded five cars representing three teams. For the second day at the French track, the sun continued to shine, but unlike the opening day, this time the very strong Mistral wind stopped blowing, thus allowing drivers to get the most out of the cars, lowering the lap times and completing race simulations in conditions much closer to those they will encounter in Silverstone on 12th April, assuming the rain holds off.

GTE Pro. The two AF Corse 458 Italias in the GTE Pro category got through their planned programme. The fastest times were posted in the morning. The 51 car of “Gimmi” Bruni and Toni Vilander completed 65 laps, with a very good fastest lap in 1.57.440, one tenth off the number 99 Aston Martin of Alex MacDowell and Fernando Rees, who were quickest on the day, in 1.57.331. In the afternoon, the 2014 world champions did a further 25 laps stopping the clocks in 1.58.038. The Aston Martin was again out in front, this time though it was the 95 car of Marco Sorensen, who managed a 1.57.675, followed by the 91 Porsche of Richard Lietz, Michael Christensen e Jorg Bergmeister (1’57”976). The number 71 car of Davide Rigon and James Calado also set its best time in the morning: 1.58.327, the best of 18 laps completed before the lunch break, coming close to it in the afternoon with a 1.58.392, set on the 11th of 30 laps in total.

GTE Am. In the GTE Am category, all three 458 Italias, entered by three different teams, got through all their programme. Particularly outstanding was the JMW Motorsport car driven by Michael Avenatti e Jakub Giermaziak, who in the morning were second fastest in 1.57.851, beaten only by the Aston Martin 96 car of Francesco Castellacci, Roald Goethe and Stuart Hall. The two other 458 Italias also got through a lot of work and laps, the AF Corse 83 car of François Perrodo, Emmanuel Collard and Rui Aguas (1’59”291 their best time, set in the afternoon) and the 72  car entered by SMP Racing for Viktor Shaitar, Aleksey Basov and the factory Ferrari driver, Andrea Bertolini (1’58”838, their best time in the morning.) The next time these cars take to the track will be in free practice at Silverstone, for the first race of the 2015 World Endurance Championship.

 

World Endurance Championship – AF Corse’s new Ferrari livery makes its track debut

Posted: 27.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Le Castellet, 27 March – The final two days of pre-season testing for the World Endurance Championship are taking place at the Paul Ricard circuit, prior to the opening round of the season at Silverstone, on 12th April. Ferrari, the GT Constructors World Champions, have got five cars running, three entered by AF Corse, the reigning champions in both teams and drivers in the GTE Pro category with Gimmi Bruni and Tony Vilander.

New livery. The Paul Ricard test has provided the backdrop for the Amato Ferrari-run team to present its new livery for the 2015 season, which features a touch of blue being added to the traditional white, red and green, and the black and yellow. The livery was unveiled in the pit garage of the four drivers in GTE Pro, including therefore Bruni and Vilander, who this season will again team up in the number 51 car, alongside Davide Rigon and James Calado, who for the second consecutive year will be at the wheel of the number 71 458 Italia.

Three Am cars. Also running at Paul Ricard are three 458 Italias entered in the GTE Am category. Driving AF Corse’s number 83 car are François Perrodo, Emmanuel Collard and Rui Aguas while at the wheel of the 72 car entered by the SMP Racing team will be the Russians Victor Shaytar, Aleksey Basov alongside the official Ferrari driver, Italy’s Andrea Bertolini. The third 458 Italia is entered by the JMW Motorsport team for Michael Avenatti and Jakub Giermaziak. The first day of testing also includes a night session, with tomorrow’s final day being open to the general public.

 

 

Circuit Sepang International Circuit
Date 29.03.2015
Laps 56
Distance 310,408 km / 192,920 miles
No Driver Ferrari S/N Team Result
5 Sebastian Vettel SF15-T 311 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
7 Kimi Raikkonen SF15-T 312 Scuderia Ferrari 4.

 

Sebastian: you’re always with me

Posted: 31.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 1 April –Everyone was expecting him and Sebastian Vettel didn’t disappoint. After a morning in the simulator, the driver met all the staff of the Gestione Sportiva, assembled together to celebrate last Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix victory. Sebastian chose to address the team in Italian: “It was a very emotional moment,” he said.

“I have won many races, but the first one with Ferrari is very, very special. On Sunday night I wanted to celebrate with the mechanics and I said to them, ‘thanks a lot, but I want to be one of you, no more no less. I am part of the team and, even if out on track, I’m alone, I know that really I never am, because I am always with you. I want to thank you for giving me a nice car and I think, in fact I know, that we will experience many more great moments together.’” Maurizio Arrivabene was also there, passing on warmest greetings from Kimi Raikkonen, who had been in touch by ‘phone from Finland, as he is there for his son’s christening. Maurizio reminded everyone that this win was only the starting point and that the team had to continue working with the utmost dedication and concentration.

“I think that, the ‘forza Ferrari!’ from Seb over the radio immediately after taking the chequered flag, was not just for the achievement of a childhood dream, but also for memories of the moments spent with another great champion, who won so much for Ferrari, namely Michael and above all there was the joy of being there with all of you. You have been here for such a long time and you deserve it.”

 

Lunch With a Trophy

Posted: 31.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

The winning cup of the Malaysian Grand Prix on display at the Maranello Factory Restaurant

Maranello, March 31st – The winner’s trophy of the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix traveled with the cabin luggage of Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene. And today at lunchtime, the cup awarded to the winning Constructor in the race was put on display at the entrance of Ferrari’s company restaurant to be admired by the women and men who work at the factory. Nobody missed the chance of taking a picture with the coveted trophy. Maurizio Arrivabene, as well as Technical Director James Allison, Power Unit Director Mattia Binotto, engine designer Lorenzo Sassi among the others, posed with the cup which, in Maurizio’s own words, ‘is your prize’.

 

Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang, 29th March 2015

Posted: 29.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Race

Pos. Time Gap Laps FL L
RAIKKONEN 4th 1:41.59.615 + 53.822 56 1.44.124 40
Pit-stop 1st stop Lap 2 New Medium
2nd stop Lap 14 New Medium
3rd stop Lap 34 New Hard
VETTEL 1st 1:41.05.793

567..111 1.43.648 46
Pit-stop 1st stop Lap 17 New Medium
2nd stop Lap 37 New Hard

Weather: air 37 °C, track 57 °C. Sunny

For Scuderia Ferrari, today’s win is the 222nd, the first since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, while Sebastian Vettel is now on 40 wins.

Maurizio Arrivabene: “This is no one-man win: it’s a success for the whole team, which has been working impeccably at all levels. Seb was just unbelievable today, and Kimi was able to put on a fantastic charge from the back. The whole team has showed a great deal of discipline, just like a Swiss watch-or should I say, an Italian one! Today, the whole team gave me great emotions and I wish to thank everybody, including the women and men back at the Maranello factory, for putting on an incredible effort over the last months, burning the midnight oil. Now we’ve got to be realistic, keep our feet on the ground and our concentration at a high level, because Mercedes is still a formidable contender. After the race our President Mr. Marchionne congratulated the whole team. He’s really one of us, he likes to stay away from the spotlight but still gives us a powerful contribution. And he’s a real Ferrari fan!”.

Kimi Raikkonen: “We had a pretty poor weekend in terms of things going wrong. I had a good speed but in qualify it didn’t go well and then today, after a poor start where I had too much wheelspin right off the line, I found myself fighting with all the other drivers and I had a puncture on the rear left tyre while battling Nasr at the last corner, which means I had to go one full lap before coming back to pits with no tyre. At that point my floor had got a little bit damaged, I had to do a full  lap with no tyre  and then, even if the safety car helped us,  I had to start from way back behind. We did our best and the forth position was the maximum we could achieve. The win of Sebastian is a very good thing for him and for the whole team , knowing how difficult the last year has been;  it’s a very good job what the team has done. We knew from winter testing that we have a good car, so it did not come as a total surprise, and probably the track  with these high temperatures suited us. I don’t know how it will be in other circuits, but the car has been strong so far, not yet as we want but we have a good package, and we are getting stronger”.

Sebastian Vettel: “Grande gara, bella macchina! (A great race and a beautiful car). Sorry for starting to speak in Italian, but today is such a special day for me. I don’t really know what to say, I am speechless. It’s not only one childhood dream that becomes true, it seems to be many dreams together. It was amazing to look down from the podium and see the mechanics, the engineers, the whole team and listen to the German and Italian anthems. The atmosphere in the team has always been great, but it’s just getting better and better. For today, the important thing is for all of us to enjoy this moment together and celebrate. I did not swap teams that much in the past, so winning for a new team is always a relief. Since I joined Ferrari I felt incredibly welcome and together we have worked to improve things. The potential, as I always said, is huge, it’s good to see what a step forward we did over the winter. There were a lot of changes in the background (including one driver…) which never make things easy, but everyone saw the positives of that. It just doesn’t compare to last year, when the car was also good but I couldn’t get on top of it. With Ferrari I had a good feeling right from the start. This is a special day, it has been a while since both I and team won for the last time. I’d like to be in the same position at every race, but we must be realistic, Mercedes were a bit struggling today but they have a great package and our target is to make the gap smaller at every Grand Prix and make sure that we are the team right behind them”.

 

Chairman Sergio Marchionne’s statement at the end of the Malaysia Grand Prix

Posted: 29.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 29 March  – “My heartfelt gratitude to Maurizio Arrivabene and the men and women of the Scuderia. What we have seen today is the result of incredibly hard work in the last few months, work that has been carried out in silence and with humility which are the real sign of a great team. Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen for a fantastic race. I am really happy for all the fans who have been waiting so long for a day like this. Forza Ferrari”.

 
 
 
 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Race

Posted: 29.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 29 March –Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix for Ferrari at the wheel of his SF-15T. Having started from second on the grid, the German managed to finish ahead of the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. His team-mate Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth, after having to make an unscheduled pit stop on lap 2, because of a puncture. He then fought his way back up the order to finish just off the podium. The Formula 1 circus will be back in action after a two week break, at the Shanghai circuit in China.

P Driver Car Gap
1
Sebastian Vettel
Ferrari

1h41m05.793s

2
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
8.569s
3
Nico Rosberg
Mercedes
12.310s
4
Kimi Raikkonen
Ferrari
1m51.541s
5
Valtteri Bottas
Williams/Mercedes
1m10.409s
6
Felipe Massa
Williams/Mercedes
1m13.586s
7
Max Verstappen
Toro Rosso/Renault
1m39.085s
8
Carlos Sainz
Toro Rosso/Renault
1 Lap
9
Daniil Kvyat
Red Bull/Renault
1 Lap
10
Daniel Ricciardo
Red Bull/Renault
1 Lap
11
Romain Grosjean
Lotus/Mercedes
1 Lap
12
Felipe Nasr
Sauber/Ferrari
1 Lap
13
Sergio Perez
Force India/Mercedes
1 Lap
14
Nico Hulkenberg
Force India/Mercedes
1 Lap
15
Roberto Merhi
Marussia/Ferrari
3 Laps
Pastor Maldonado
Lotus/Mercedes
Retirement
Jenson Button McLaren/Honda Retirement
Fernando Alonso McLaren/Honda Retirement
Marcus Ericsson Sauber/Ferrari Retirement
Will Stevens
Marussia/Ferrari
Withdrawn

 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Sepang, 28 March 2015

Posted: 28.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen: “Today it was simply a bad time to go out, we should have been out earlier. I did try to pass Ericsson but he was there trying to do his job; it’s not an unlucky situation but it was a mistake. Tomorrow we’ll try to climb some positions, for sure we have the speed but we are quite far from the front and when you start in this position is not going to be an easy race. Obviously there is going to be more risk in the first corner, but we’ll try to make the best out of it tomorrow.”

Sebastian Vettel: “I think we had a good pace in the end, it was very tight with Lewis. If you look back to one year ago, we had the same conditions, intermediates in the end and it was one tenth, so maybe next year … For sure the result puts us in a good position for tomorrow. I think the target for Sunday is to extract the best race we can, and then we go from there. The nature of the track suits our car well, I expect nothing else than to be very strong tomorrow, but you never know about the conditions in Sepang. There is rain in the air that can hit you at the right time, but also make go all wrong, you just never know. Let’s keep our feet on the ground, in the end we have to look after ourselves. Mercedes is very strong and has an advantage, but it would be nice to give them a hard time tomorrow, it has been a bit too chilled for them in the last months”.

Maurizio Arrivabene: “Today’s result leaves a bittersweet taste. Seb has been just great and the same goes for the all team. About Kimi, I don’t believe either in bad or good luck. First impression comments may render different opinions, but now we have to leave this behind us and focus on tomorrow’s race. I’m sure that also Kimi, who is a great driver himself, will have a go”.

 

RAIKKONEN  –  Chassis 312

VETTEL –  Chassis 311

Q1

P9

1:40.415

New Hard – 4 laps

P3

1:39.814

New Hard – 3 laps

Q2

P11

1:42.173

New Medium – 3 laps

P2

1:39.632

New Medium – 3 laps

Q3

P2

1:49.908

New Intermediate – 4 laps

New Intermediate -3 laps

Weather: air 27/33 °C, track 34/49 °C. Rain

 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Qualifying

Posted: 28.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 28 March – Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari will line up on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s Malaysian Grand Prix, after qualifying second in a session hit by a massive storm. The rain arrived at the Malaysian track towards the end of the second part of the session and that meant Kimi Raikkonen, eleventh at the time in 1.42.173, was unable to make the cut into the top ten. In the delayed final part, the German steered his SF15-T to second, running two sets of intermediate tyres, with a best lap of 1.49.908, splitting the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, who took pole in 1.49.834 and Nico Rosberg third in 1.50.299.

P Driver Car Time Gap
1
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes

1m49.834s

2
Sebastian Vettel
Ferrari
1m49.908s
0.074s
3
Nico Rosberg
Mercedes
1m50.299s
0.465s
4
Daniel Ricciardo
Red Bull/Renault
1m51.541s

 1.707s

5
Daniil Kvyat
Red Bull/Renault
1m51.950s
 2.116s
6
Max Verstappen
Toro Rosso/Renault
1m51.980s
 2.146s
7
Felipe Massa
Williams/Mercedes
1m52.473s
 2.639s
8
Romain Grosjean
Lotus/Mercedes
1m52.980s
 3.146s
9
Valtteri Bottas
Williams/Mercedes

1m53.179s

 3.345s
10
Marcus Ericsson
Sauber/Ferrari
1m53.260s

3.426s

11
Kimi Raikkonen
Ferrari
1m42.173s
 –
12
Pastor Maldonado
Lotus/Mercedes
1m42.197s
  –
13
Nico Hulkenberg
Force India/Mercedes
1m43.022s
  –
14
Sergio Perez
Force India/Mercedes

1m43.468s

  –
15
Carlos Sainz
Toro Rosso/Renault
1m43.700s
  –
16
Felipe Nasr
Sauber/Ferrari

1m41.308s

  –
17 Jenson Button McLaren/Honda 1m41.635s   –
18 Fernando Alonso McLaren/Honda 1m41.745s  –
19 Roberto Merhi Marussia/Ferrari 1m46.677s  –
20
Will Stevens
Marussia/Ferrari
  –  –

 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Free Practice 3

Posted: 28.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 28 March – The Ferraris finished third and fourth in the final free practice session at the Sepang circuit, with Nico Rosberg once again fastest. Kimi Raikkonen posted a 1.40.245 in his SF15-T, fitted with Medium compound tyres, finishing behind the two Mercedes (Rosberg with a 1.39.690 and Lewis Hamilton in 1.39.875). Raikkonen only did 9 laps, as he had a puncture on his left rear when running the Hards, apparently caused when he ran over a piece of carbon on the track. In the other Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel was fourth fastest in 1.40.266 completing 13 laps.

 
 
 

Allison – Improvements on both sides

Posted: 27.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 27 March – Scuderia Ferrari Technical Director James Allison met the media today, to discuss various topics concerning, above all, the steps forward which are now visible on the SF15-T as compared to last year’s car.

“In pure lap time terms, the gains are almost equal between chassis and power unit. On the chassis side, the lion’s share of the gains are aerodynamic, because that’s what has the most authority to put lap time on the car. So, on the chassis side it’s 80:20 aero versus useful gains made in the cooling efficiency of the car, which then translates into aero by allowing you to have the car tighter at the back.”

Based on Friday’s long runs, one wonders if Ferrari can now challenge the Mercedes on the race pace. Allison answers: “I don’t know. We will find out on Sunday but our tyre degradation is good and our pace is reasonably good. But everyone uses the Friday differently, so you never know what the others were doing. But we feel it’s been a good day.”

James is also wary of reading too much into the effects of the power units improvements: “It’s a little bit early to be confident of that. The way you judge it is blurry. The first time you get to see how much downforce and power you’ve got is in qualifying as that’s when you can be certain the others are on the same fuel as you and trying as hard as you are. The way you try to separate the downforce from the power is that the shape of the way the car accelerates is different depending on whether it’s a power gain or a downforce gain. It is vulnerable to things like the wind, so it’s only after a few races that the real picture emerges. From the Melbourne analysis it looks as though we have made a good step forward with the car and the loss relative to Mercedes is split equally between the chassis and the power unit.”
Speaking about closing the gap, the Technical Director analyses what is yet to come: “We will not be conservative, we will be shovelling development onto the car as quick as we can make it and there’s a load in the pipeline at the factory at the moment. The aero programme is performing strongly. These are still quite young aero rules so we can expect more from it and the same with the engine. The situation with the tokens make this year very different to last year and we can bring more during the year. You need to make sure you’ve got the horsepower to put into the tokens, but three is an important number even if it does not sound like much, as it buys you a combustion upgrade, which is quite significant regarding the top end of the engine.”

 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Sepang, 27th March 2015

Posted: 27.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen: “Today we did all we were supposed to do. In the morning the feeling with the car was better, in the afternoon was a bit more tricky, we had some handling issues and some problems with the wind and the heat, but the laptime were not so bad. Unluckily we had red flag when we went out with new softer tyres.The car is still not perfect, but I’m sure we can improve for tomorrow. We have some work to do on the set up to make everything easier, but we’ll do our best and we’ll see where we end up in qualifying”.

Sebastian Vettel: “All in all it was a decent day. It was quite hot and slippery, which makes it difficult for the cars to work with the tyres. I am not entirely happy with myself, I was pushing too much, but it didn’t work out in the end and I spun. But if you have to choose a day where you want to try things, you choose the Friday. It will be close between us and Williams, and probably Red Bull as well. Mercedes didn’t have a clean day but is still very strong. But we have to look now after ourselves”.

 

RAIKKONEN – chassis 312

VETTEL – chassis 311

First Session

P2

1:40.497

17laps

P3

1:40.985

13laps

                                      Weather: air 30/33 °C, track 36/44 °C. Sunny

Second Session

P2

1:40.163

29 laps

P7

1:40.652

29 laps

Weather:  air 35/36 °C, track 51/56°C.  Sunny

 

Esteban on Sepang

Posted: 27.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 27 March – “Sepang is generally a circuit the drivers like a lot, even though it is very demanding, especially in terms of the high temperatures,” says Esteban Gutiérrez, Scuderia Ferrari’s third driver, in conversation on the topic of the Malaysian circuit with ferrari.com. “Cooling some of the car’s mechanical components is a very important aspect, because while one is always trying to run things right on the limit, on the other one must not forget this race takes place in very hot and humid conditions. For example, on the aerodynamic front, clearly the smaller the air intakes are, the better the resulting airflow, which therefore favours the aerodynamic side but at the same time, it must allow for sufficient cooling of the power unit. In reality, in Malaysia, you have to try and refrigerate everything in the cockpit area including the driver! Therefore, to be in the best physical shape, it’s important to arrive as early as possible and start training in the high humidity levels. We know that in Sepang, there are can often be some sudden and very heavy downpours and this is another aspect of the weather that can impact on strategy, both in qualifying and in the race. In general, it’s a track that requires a set-up that’s a compromise between the optimum level of understeer to tackle the many wide corners and good top speed for the two long straights. If one favours one aspect more than the other, there’s a risk of having an abnormally high tyre wear rate, given the high temperatures involved. There are two heavy braking points,” says the Mexican in conclusion, “but Sepang is not too demanding on brakes, nor in terms of fuel consumption.”

 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Free Practice 2

Posted: 27.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 27 March – Once again, Kimi Raikkonen posted the second fastest time at the Sepang circuit, in the second free practice session for the Malaysian Grand Prix. And also just like in the morning, it was a Mercedes that was fastest, this time that of Lewis Hamilton (1.39.790.) Kimi did a 1.40.163, while in the other SF15-T, Sebastian Vettel was seventh with a 1.40.652. Both Ferrari men worked on a programme that focused on a comparison of the Hard and Medium tyres and some set-up work.
Track action in this the second round of the season resumes tomorrow at 14h00 with the third free practice session.

P Name Team Best Time Gap Laps
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:39.790 16
2 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:40.163 0.373s 29
3 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:40.218 0.428s 26
4 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:40.346 0.556s 17
5 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:40.450 0.660s 31
6 Felipe Massa Williams 1:40.560 0.770s 27
7 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:40.652 0.862s 29
8 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:41.220 1.430s 30
9 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:41.261 1.471s 30
10 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:41.799 2.009s 08
11 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:41.877 2.087s 15
12 Felipe Nasr Sauber 1:41.988 2.198s 30
13 Sergio Perez Force India 1:42.242 2.452s 24
14 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:42.330 2.501s 31
15 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:42.506 2.540s 28
16 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:42.637 2.716s 25
17 Jenson Button McLaren 1:42.498 2.847s 24
18 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:46.686 3.158s 07
19 Will Stevens Manor 1:45.736 5.914s 12
20 Roberto Merhi Manor 1:47.229 7.439s 06

 

Malaysian Grand Prix – Free Practice 1

Posted: 27.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 27 March – The Ferraris finished the first free practice session of the Malaysian Grand Prix in second and third places. Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes was fastest in this first bit of action for the second race weekend of the season, with a time of 1.40.124. The two Ferrari men split an aerodynamic evaluation programme, running two sets of the Hard tyre on the demanding Malaysian track. Kimi Raikkonen completed 17 laps, to finish behind Rosberg with a 1.40.497, while team-mate Sebastian Vettel managed just 13, (1.40.985) after having to spend much of the session in the garage while the cooling system was checked.

P Name Team Best Time Gap Laps
1 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:40.124 20
2 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:40.497 0.373s 17
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:40.985 0.861s 13
4 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:41.543 1.419s 14
5 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:41.596 1.472s 26
6 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:41.787 1.663s 15
7 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:41.803 1.679s 23
8 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:41.882 1.758s 23
9 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:42.055 1.931s 18
10 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:42.064 1.940s 16
11 Felipe Massa Williams 1:42.103 1.979s 23
12 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:42.567 2.443s 19
13 Raffaele Marciello Sauber 1:42.621 2.497s 13
14 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:42.885 2.761s 20
15 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:42.893 2.769s 13
16 Sergio Perez Force India 1:43.054 2.930s 15
17 Jenson Button McLaren 1:43.100 2.976s 19
18 Will Stevens Marussia 1:46.686 6.652s 8
19 Roberto Merhi Marussia 1:47.683 7.559s 8
20 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 4

 

Science of Driving Excitement

Posted: 26.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 26 March – The event was packed with excitement-literally. At the beginning of the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend in Sepang, Shell organized a round-up with Scuderia Ferrari’s test and development drivers Esteban Gutierrez and Marc Gené. Each of them drove a Ferrari California T on a specially designed track south-east of Kuala Lumpur, and both wore high-tech shirt designed to monitor the variances in heart rates, breathing and g-force. Thus, Esteban and Marc experienced different driving scenarios on the unusual track, and could share their emotions with the fans around.

 
 

Vettel: “We must attack”

Posted: 26.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 26 March – Sebastian Vettel had his usual Thursday media meeting in the Sepang paddock and his first job was to explain to the press that the suggestion that he should attend a Mercedes team briefing today, was nothing more than a joke. “Do you imagine if I went there, they would really open up?” the Ferrari man asked his audience. “I was joking, if you have an advantage you don’t want to give it out. Of course you can learn from other people, but we have a lot of intelligence in our team and I think from last year to this year we seem to have made a good step. Now it’s up to us to confirm that in the next couple of races and make sure we progress. With this year’s car, from the first day I was happy with the balance. I like the flow the car has.”
An encouraging start in Melbourne leaves the German keen for more: “We must work to establish ourselves in the position we were in in Australia, ideally a little bit closer to Mercedes and a little bit further ahead of Williams. It will be very close between us and Williams and also Red Bull: it’s only a question of time as to when they will come back.”
In the heat of Sepang, Sebastian believes the Scuderia should not automatically look to follow Mercedes. “We will tackle the weekend as usual, trying to get the car in the right window to get into a rhythm. In Malaysia, anything can happen, so our target should not be just to establish our position. We must attack and try and close the gap to Mercedes and with the conditions you can get here, a win is always possible.
Asked about the general state of Formula 1 as the sport goes into a second season under new rules, the Scuderia driver was generally upbeat. “In terms of excitement there are some things we miss and speaking to the fans the noise is one of those. Then, as a driver, you always want to go quicker. But the things you enjoy are always the same; driving one of the quickest cars in the world and competing against the best drivers.”

 

Raikkonen: “Working as one Team”

Posted: 26.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 26 March – Kimi Raikkonen didn’t have much to say in the press conference that marked the official start of the weekend in Sepang, home to the second Grand Prix of the season. But what he did say was packed with confidence.
“We are in a much better position than we were, say even at the end of last season, so in that way it’s a nice place to be but obviously we still have to improve quite a bit,” said the Finn when asked to assess the situation after the opening race. “We want to be in front and we still don’t have the speed exactly, at least in qualifying, to be there. However, in the race I think we are a bit stronger when compared to Mercedes. I think it will be a fun year, obviously not an ideal start of the year for me in Melbourne, after we got some damage from the start and had those issues in the pit stops, but these things can happen sometimes but at least we had pretty good speed. I’m sure we’re going to have strong races and good battles, but like I said we still have some work to do to be absolutely where we want to be but we have done a good job so far.”
Even if Kimi’s Melbourne race didn’t live up to expectations, the Finn felt very comfortable with the SF15-T and he explained this was down to a combination of two factors: the new car suits his driving style better and it is a big step forward in general compared to last year’s car. “It’s the whole package,” he maintained. “We improved the engine a lot but we improved the chassis itself a lot as well. You cannot just point to one area that has been improved from last year. Everybody is working as one team and things are going in the right direction and people are pushing and doing a good job. Like I said, it’s still early days. We still have to work hard and improve things but, from where we started, so far we have done a good job.”

 

Sepang: heat and humidity the first adversary

Posted: 26.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 26 March –The Malaysian weather is one of the most talked about topics over the race weekend, because the challenges that have to be met, both mechanical and physical are definitely demanding. “As far as the power unit is concerned, Sepang would be considered a medium difficulty track, but the high temperatures and especially the level of humidity means that cooling of the various components is a critical factor,” Lorenzo Sassi, Chief Designer Power Unit, told ferrari.com. “Fortunately, the turbo, unlike the normally aspirated engine, can compensate for the adverse atmospheric conditions, such as the fact the air is less dense, so that there is no negative impact on performance.” No less important is the effect of Malaysia’s tropical climate on the driver, who races, wedged in a narrow cockpit, wearing a helmet and fireproof suit. These items mean he has to put up with even higher temperatures while driving. In a race like the one in Sepang, a driver can end up losing as much as four litres of liquid, which can only be partly replaced with the solution of water and mineral salts carried in the car, essential for a driver to remain lucid and to maintain the necessary level of concentration to get to the end of the race.

 

The challenges of Malaysia

Posted: 25.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 25 March – Scuderia Ferrari goes into the second race of the season aware that the Malaysian track is extremely demanding in terms of the climatic conditions. “Normally, we assess the tracks based on two parameters; the level of aerodynamic downforce required and the power needed from the power unit,” James Allison, Scuderia Ferrari’s Technical Director, told ferrari.com. “And if one looks at just these two parameters, Sepang is very similar to Melbourne. Therefore, the car’s competitiveness ought to be similar. However, in Malaysia, its much hotter and more humid and this is a factor that stresses both the car and the tyres. Furthermore, usually a sudden storm can require an immediate change of strategy: everyone is constantly monitoring the weather, but reaction time is always vitally important.” Even the car’s cooling system is seriously tested at Sepang, as confirmed by Simone Resta, Scuderia Ferrari’s Chief Designer. “We have various demands to manage: reliability and performance, the latter both in terms of the power unit and the aerodynamics. We are still in the early stages of the season, therefore we need to establish an accurate understanding of our true level: in Melbourne, we managed a good top speed, which could be very useful on the two long straights of the Malaysian track. At the moment, our pace is pretty good too and, at a circuit like this, where tyre degradation is very high, it could prove to be an advantage for us.”

 

Circuit Sebring International Speedway
Date 21. 03.2015
Laps
Distance km / miles
No Driver Ferrari S/N Team Result
49
Piergiuseppe Perazzini
Marco Cioci
Rui Aguas
Enzo Potolicchio
458 Italia GT3
F 142 GT xxxx
AF Corse
. overall / . in class GTD
62 Pierre Kaffer
Giancarlo Fisichella
Andrea Bertolini
458 Italia GT2 F 142 GT xxxx Risi Competizione . overall / . in class GTLM
63 Bill Sweedler
Townsend Bell
Antonio Lazzaro
458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Scuderia Corsa . overall / . in class GTD

 

United SportsCar Championship – Heading for the 12 Hours of Sebring, a race dear to Ferrari

Posted: 18.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 18 March –The 12 Hours of Sebring takes place this weekend, as the second round of the United SportsCar Championship and the North American Endurance Cup. The Sebring circuit, in Florida, is one of the temples of world motorsport, as well one of the tracks that means the most to Ferrari, which over the 62 editions of the race has taken 32 wins in total, 12 of them outright.

The early wins. The first race run over a 12 hour period dates back to 1952. The first win came the following year, when Edward P. Lunken and Charles Hassan triumphed in the up to 2 litre Sport category at the wheel of a 166 MM entered by Lunken himself. The first outright victory came in 1956, thanks to two aces, namely Juan Manuel Fangio and Eugenio Catellotti, who dominated proceedings at the wheel of the works 860 Monza. Rounding off the celebrations was a second place for Luigi Musso and Harry Schell with the sister car and there was also a win in the up to 2 litre Sport category for a 500 Mondial in the hands of Dominican playboy Porfirio Rubirosa, teamed with the American Jim Pauley. The following year, the win went to Phil Hill and Peter Collins in a factory entered 250 TR 58, while in 1959 the winners’ laurels went to the works 250 TR 59 Fantuzzi Spyder crewed by the quartet of Dan Gurney, Chuck Daigh, Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien.

A triumph in 1961. The 1961 race produced a memorable result, when Ferrari won in no less than four categories. The overall win went to Hill and Gendebien in a 250 TRI/61, while there was a clean sweep of the podium, with the sister car of Giancarlo Baghetti, Willy Mairesse, Wolfgang Von Trips and Richie Ginther second, followed home by the brothers Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez in the North American Racing Team (Nart) 250 TR 60. The same race produced three more victories. In the up to 2.5 litre Sport category, victory went to Jim Hall and George Constantine at the wheel of the Nart Dino 246 S; in the up to 2 litre Sport class, another Nart car won, the 196 S, driven by William Helburn, Skip Hudson and John Fulp. A fourth win came in the up to 3 litre GT class, courtesy of a lady driver, Denise McCluggage, driving her own 250 GT SWB, paired with Allen Eager.

The other victories. Over the next three years, Ferrari continued to dominate: in 1962, it was thanks to Joakim Bonnier and Lucien Bianchi, winners in a 250 TR1/61 entered by the SSS Republica di Venezia team; in 1963 a works 250 P crewed by John Surtees and Ludovico Scarfiotti and in 1964 with Mike Parkes and Umberto Maglioli in a factory 275 P. In 1970 the delighted winners were Ignazio Giunti, Nino Vaccarella and Mario Andretti in a 512 S, a win repeated two years later for Andretti, when paired with Jacky Ickx in a factory 312 PB. Then, over 20 years would elapse before a Ferrari would win again in the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 1995, the Maranello marque returned to the winners’ enclosure courtesy of Fermin Velez, Andy Evans and Eric van de Poele in the Scandia Motorsports 333 SP, a feat repeated by the team in 1997 with Velez, Evans, Yannick Dalmas and Stefan Johansson, the latter a former Formula 1 driver for the Scuderia. 1998 was the year of the last outright win, thanks to Didier Theys, Mauro Baldi and Giampiero Moretti in the Momo/Doran Racing 333 SP. Ferrari has not won at Sebring since 2011, when Tracy Krohn, Michele Rugolo and Nic Jonsson won the GTE Am category in the F430 entered by Krohn Racing.

 

 

 

Agnelli’s 166 MM dominates at Villa d’Este

Posted: 26.05.2015
Source: Ferrari

Ferraris make a total of 18.5 million euro at Villa Erba auction

Maranello, 26 May – A Ferrari dominated the 2015 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance. The 1950 166 MM in question has a highly unusual history. Its first owner was none other than Gianni Agnelli who took delivery in July 1950 and sold it two years later to Belgian Viscount Gery d’Hendecourt. The latter subsequently passed it on to the Garage Francorchamps. Having changed its livery to blue, that team launched its competitive career. In the hands of Le Mans hero Olivier Gendebien, the 166 MM won the Coupe du Spa-Francorchamps and the Grand Prix de Spa. In 1957, it changed hands once again, this time going to Armand and Jean Blaton. Driven by “Beurlys” (Jean), it won further races in Belgium and Denmark.

On show. The car was then owned for many years by former Belgian former Formula 1 driver Jacques Swaters who took it to classic car exhibitions for the first time as well as restagings of the Mille Miglia and other great races of the past. In 1994, the 166 MM was also shown at the MoMA in New York and then later at the Nationalgallerie in Berlin as an example of Italian car design excellence. In 2012, it was purchased by Englishman Clive Beecham who had its bodywork returned to its original condition to obtain certification by the Ferrari Classiche department.

The auction at Villa Erba. On the same weekend, Villa Erba also played host to the RM-Sotheby’s auction at which Ferraris made a total of 18.5 million euro. The car that achieved the highest sale price was the 1952 212 Export Barchetta, winner of several races first in Sicily and later in Switzerland, which changed hands for 6.72 million euro. Other very impressive prices were achieved by a 1963 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso (2 million euro) and a 1960 250 GT Cabriolet Series II (1.5 milioni). Even much new Prancing Horse models attracted excellent bids, particularly a 1985 288 GTO which made just under 2 million and a 2002 Enzo which sold for 1.26 million euro.

 

Ferrari at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015

Posted: 26.05.2015
Source: Mitorosso.com / Manfred Steinert and Ernst Fischer

S/N 0064 M Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta Touring
  • Entrant: Clive Beecham – UK
  • Class E: Gentlemen`s Racers – E-52
  • Award: Coppa d`Oro Villa d`Este – Best of Show by Public Referendum at Villa d’Este
  • Award: Trofeo BMW Groupe Italia – Public Referendum at Villa Erba
  • Award: Mention of Honor in class
  • The images
S/N 0267 EU Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Vignale
  • Entrant: Bradley “Buzz” Calkins – USA
  • Class D: Made to Measure – D-36
  • The images
S/N 0359 GT Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé Vignale
  • Entrant: Jaime Muldoon – MEX
  • Class D: Made to Measure – D-42
  • The images
S/N 0723 GT Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Scaglietti
  • Entrant: Ilkka Brotherus – FIN
  • Class E: Gentlemen`s Racers – E-60
  • The images
S/N 1057 GT Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder
  • Entrant: Staffan Wittmark – SWE
  • Class F: Hollywood on the lake – F-74
  • Award: Mention of Honor in class
  • The images
S/N 3367 GT Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti
  • Entrant: Nigel Allen – UK
  • Class E: Gentlemen`s Racers – E-62
  • The images
S/N 15297 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spyder Scaglietti
  • Entrant: Detlef Hübner – GER
  • Class G: GT Man has arrived – G-80
  • The images
S/N 016 Ferrari 206 Dino SP Spyder
  • Entrant: Andreas Schläwicke – GER
  • Class I: Two seats against the stopwatch – I-100
  • The images
S/N 194095 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Lusso Superleggera
  • Entrant: Carrozzeria Touring – ITA
  • Class C: Concept Cars and Prototypes – C-04
  • The images

 

 

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015

Posted: 18.03.2015
Source: BMW / Event website

Event Information:

Date and Time: 22.05.2015 – 24.05.2015
Location: Villa d`Este and Villa Erba – Cernobbio
Website: Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

 

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015 slips into the style of the wild and wonderful seventies

Posted: 18.03.2015
Source: BMW / Event website

Cernobbio, 18 March, 2015

The rare vehicles that make up the field of entrants for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este are often revered as “works of art on wheels”. This year, visitors to the beauty contest for historic cars and motorcycles hosted by BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este will be reminded of how, 40 years ago, this description took on a whole new meaning. In June 1975 a BMW 3.0 CSL painted by US artist Alexander Calder raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was the car that launched the Art Car tradition initiated by BMW and today remains a fascinating representative of a dazzling era – one in which sensational art and exclusive lifestyle also swept up the automotive world. At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015 the glitz and glamour of the 1970s will roar back to life. “Seventies style – the jetset is back” is the motto of the Classic Weekend on Lake Como, which will bring together owners and aficionados of classic cars and motorcycles in this wonderfully exclusive setting from 22 – 24 May 2015. The Concorso di Motociclette will take its place in the programme for the fifth time, alongside other highlights including a look back at “90 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom”.

Taking centre stage once again this year at the three-day event held in the grounds of Villa Erba in Cernobbio is the beauty contest, in which historic cars and motorcycles of outstanding class and with a fascinating past will do battle in a number of competition categories. On the occasion of the model’s 90th anniversary, Rolls-Royce Phantoms from various decades will also be competing in a special class for the favour of the jury and thus the coveted Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este trophies. As well as seeking approval from the experts, contestants will by vying for the affections of the public as well, with their votes determining the winners of several special prizes.

An exquisite line-up of models also awaits fans of classic motorcycles. The Concorso di Motociclette has established itself as one of the highlights of Day 2. As last year, the convoy of rare motorcycles will pause at the Historic Car Parade at Villa d’Este on its way from Como to the parkland of Villa Erba in Cernobbio. The jury will then cast their expert eye over the assembled motorcycles once they have reached the end of their journey.

The support programme for the visitors, entrants and guests of honour will also be held in the style of the uproarious seventies. The traditional celebration of beauty on two and four wheels begins with a scene-setting open-air event on Friday evening. The grounds of Villa Erba will also be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s special exhibition in the rotunda at Villa Erba is devoted to the Art Cars which captured the imagination of art and motor racing fans alike in the 1970s. This decade alone produced four powerfully-engined works of art, with Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol following in the brush strokes of Alexander Calder by leaving their artistic signature on a BMW racing car. The most recent addition to the series is the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car created by Jeff Koons.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is considered one of the world’s most exclusive and tradition-steeped stages for historic cars and motorcycles. The event in the northern Italian town of Cernobbio was first held in 1929 as an exhibition for new creations from the auto industry, but since the 1980s it has majored instead on the history of motoring. In 1999 the BMW Group took over patronage of this tribute to automotive rarities, and since 2005 BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este have acted as co-hosts. As well as classic vehicles boasting stand-out aesthetics and historical significance, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este also presents design studies and prototypes from various eras for visitors to admire.

The Classes for Historic Cars are:

Class A – Flamboyance in motion – Pre-war coachbuilt luxury

Class B – Anti-depressants – pre-war sports cars which defied the great depression

Class C – Phantom story – The Rolls-Royce Phantom through the ages

Class D – High speed express – the final flowering of the coachbuilt coupé

Class E – Gentlemens racers – Speed meets post-war style

Class F – Hollywood on the lake – Cabriolets in which to make an entrance at Villa d’Este

Class G – GT man has arrived – Front engine 70’s opulence

Class H – How fast is fast enough – mid and rear-engined supercars from the disco era

Class I – Racing car class

Class titles to be confirmed, may be subject to change.
Each car drives in front of the public, and the moderator will talk about some of the details relating to the car. The class winners receive an award + certificate.

 

Days of Elegance

Posted: 18.03.2015
Source: BMW / Event website

The participants in the Concours d’Elegance in the categories “Historic Cars”, “Concept Cars & Prototypes” and “Motorcycles” will once again launch an eventful weekend abounding with highlights on the shores of Lake Como. Even without taking part in the beauty pageant, you can savour the magical and unique experience at first hand as a “Friend of Concorso”.

The main locations of the weekend are once more Villa d’Este and the grand exhibition space of Villa Erbe. The events in the programme reserved exclusively for the participants in the competitions “Historic Cars” and “Concept Cars & Prototypes” take place in the grounds and the rooms of Villa d’Este. As a counterpoint, the “Days of Elegance” will be held in the nearby park of Villa Erba, which will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

Already on the Saturday, the Motorcycle Concours taking place there invites visitors to talk motorcycles with private collectors and the distinguished Jury, as well as indulging their joint passion for historic motorcycles in lively discussions.

The theme exhibition of 2015 is based on the headline “40 years of BMW Art Cars”. This unique project started back in 1975, when Alexander Calder took the BMW 3.0 CSL and gave it his very own personal finish. Over the years, many other artists followed suit and you can see a selection of the finest Art Cars among BMW automobiles in the evocative setting of Lake Como.

The programme of events for Saturday and Sunday will be completed with additional complementary exhibitions which are still in the process of being confirmed.

On Saturday, 23rd May 2015, the gates of Villa Erba are open to the public from 10.00 to 17.30. A range of sales stands offer accessories and snacks for visitors. At the same time, the Parade of Historic Cars takes place in Villa d’Este, reserved exclusively for invited guests.

A highlight of the weekend is provided when all the participants in the category “Historic Cars” and “Concept Cars & Prototypes” showcase their vehicles on the Public Days in the grounds of Villa Erba. The gates are already open at 09.30 and the show closes at 17.30. All the other exhibitions from Saturday also remain open to visitors on the Sunday.

The Motorcycle Concours will start at 11.00 with the prizes for the class winners and the “Best of Show” prize being awarded by the international Jury.

After the lunch break the class winners among the vehicles on four wheels will receive their awards at 14.30, together with the special prizes granted by Public Referendum. These are the “BMW Group Italia Trophy” in the category of “Historic Cars”, the “Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award” for the most exciting design, and the “BMW Group Young People’s Award” in the category “Historic Cars” awarded by visitors up to the age of 16.

Saturday, 23rd May 2015

Where: Grounds of Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4 22012 Cernobbio, Como

Programme – 70’s style – The Jetset is back

All day

Motorcycle Exhibition, Accessories from Roeckl, Suixtil and Brumm; Theme Exhibition: 40 years of BMW Art Cars

10.00 – 17.30

Evaluation of the motorcycles by the Jury. Participants are available to talk about their motorcycles.

35 historic motorcycles from the following categories will be presented. The Motorcycle Concours will take place on Sunday 11.00 – 12.00. The following classes will be on show:

Class A – The early years – 1910-1929

Class B – Gentlemen’s ride – The luxury of the thirties

Class C – Engine experiments in the 1950’s – Beyond the mainstream

Class D – Connoisseur’s choice – Extravagance on two wheels

Class E – The heroes – The bike boom of the 1970s

Exhibitions

Theme exhibition at the Congress Centre This year’s themed exhibition being held inside Villa Erba focuses on the subject of BMW Art Cars. The intriguing story of this beautiful art project is told here and brought to life with unique masterpieces from the art collection.

More exhibitions and sales stands

Sales stands with selected accessories and articles associated with classic automobiles invite you to browse and shop. These include gloves from Roeckl, menswear from Suixtil, miniature models from Brumm and BMW Motorrad accessories.

 

Sunday, 24th May 2015

Where: Grounds of Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4 22012 Cernobbio, Como

Programme – 70’s style – The Jetset is back

All day:

Motorcycle Exhibition, Accessories from Roeckl, Suixtil and Brumm; Theme Exhibition: 40 years of BMW Art Cars

09.30 – 14.30

Public Referendum for the “BMW Group Italia Trophy” for Historic Cars and the “Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award” for Concept Cars and Prototypes and the “BMW Young People’s Award” for Historic Cars

11.00 – 12.00

Motorcycle Concours with award ceremony for the class winners and Best of Show winner

The first, second and third placed motorcycle of each class is displayed on the red carpet in front of the grandstand, facing the audience.

Medals/Awards: Each class winner will receive a Class medal. The drivers of the cars in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will receive a certificate signed by the Head of the Jury, Carlo Perelli and Ulrich Knieps, President of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The speaker will interview each owner of the class winners together with the Jury, which will take the opportunity to explain their decisions.

14.30 – 17.30

Parade of the cars before the Jury and the public award ceremonies: the class winners for Historic Cars, the “BMW Group Italia Trophy” for Historic Cars, the “Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award” for Concept Cars and Prototypes and the “BMW Young People’s Award” for Historic Cars

The Classes for Historic Cars are:

Class A – Flamboyance in motion – Pre-war coachbuilt luxury

Class B – Anti-depressants – pre-war sports cars which defied the great depression

Class C – Phantom story – The Rolls-Royce Phantom through the ages

Class D – High speed express – the final flowering of the coachbuilt coupé

Class E – Gentlemens racers – Speed meets post-war style

Class F – Hollywood on the lake – Cabriolets in which to make an entrance at Villa d’Este

Class G – GT man has arrived – Front engine 70’s opulence

Class H – How fast is fast enough – mid and rear-engined supercars from the disco era

Class I – Racing car class

Class titles to be confirmed, may be subject to change.

Each car drives in front of the public, and the moderator will talk about some of the details relating to the car. The class winners receive an award + certificate.

17.30

End of event

 

 

Mugello 12 Hours – Ferrari quick but just off the podium

Posted: 15.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Scarperia, 14 March – Ferrari was quick, but just off the podium on its home track of Mugello in the 12 Hour race, which ended at sunset. The Team Black Pearl Racing by Rinaldi 458 Italia, driven by the Germans, Alexander Volz, Steve Parrow and Pierre Kaffer, led the race and set the fastest lap with Kaffer in 1’49”361, but in the end they had to settle for fourth place.

Unlucky number 4. Not much luck for the other 458 Italia entered, the number 4 car of Scuderia Praha, in the hands of Jiri Pisarik, Jaromir Jirik and Matteo Malucelli, which had to retire at two thirds distance.

Next stop Zandvoort. The win went to the HB Racing Team Herberth Porsche, driven by the Swiss Daniel Allemann and the Germans, Ralf Bohn and Robert and Alfred Renauer. Second was the Ram Racing Mercedes, with the British crew of Tom Onslow-Cole, Adam Christodoulou and Paul White. The last step on the podium belonged to the Hofor Racing team’s sister car in the hands of Switzerland’s Roland Eggimann, Michael and Chantal Kroll, the Dutchman Christiaan Frankenhout and Germany’s Kenneth Heyer. The next round is another 12 Hour race at Zandvoort on 29 and 30 May.

 

12 Hours of Mugello – Two Ferrari teams on the track

Posted: 12.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Scarperia, 12 March – Tomorrow and Saturday will see the running of the 12 Hours of Mugello, a race from the 24H Series calendar which had its first round with the 24 Hours of Dubai. The programme features qualifying tomorrow at 11.00 before the start of the first part of the race at 13.30. The first stint will go on for four hours, then it will be halted at 17.30 before resuming on Saturday at 9.30. The end of the race is again scheduled for 17.30 after the remaining eight hours of running.

The two teams. There will be two 458 Italia cars in action at the Ferrari-owned circuit. Driving the car number 4 of the Scuderia Praha will be the Czech duo of Jiri Pisarik and Jaromir Jirik, who will join forces with the experienced Italian Matteo Malucelli. Driving the car number 66 of the Black Pearl Racing by Rinaldi team will be a German trio made up of Steve Parrow, Alexander Volz and Pierre Kaffer, who usually partners Giancarlo Fisichella in the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) in America.

Great tradition. Needless to say the Mugello track is rich in tradition for Ferrari, who won last year’s 12 Hours thanks to the AF Corse team. In fact there have been a total of 62 victories taken by Ferrari at Mugello between 1981 and 2014. The first, in 1981, came in the 6 Hours – which counted towards the World Championship for Makes – thanks to Giovanni Del Buono and Odoardo Govoni who took victory in the IMSA GTX category. In the history of Ferrari there have also been five wins on the Mugello Grand Prix, a back-breaking marathon around the Apennines on a non-permanent track that was 66km long. The first win came in 1955, the last in 1966.

 

2015 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific Sepang; Wyatt, Xu and Xing take victories at Race 2

Posted: 15.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

15th March 2015 – The first round of the Asia Pacific Ferrari Challenge ended today at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia under scorching hot weather conditions. The 21 drivers in the field once again showcased pure driving exhilaration during Race 2 with interesting overtaking maneuvers and fierce battle.

Following his win yesterday, polesitter Steve Wyatt from Australia once again stood proudly on top of the podium steps, winning first overall and in his Trofeo Pirelli class. He beat his nearest competitor by 13.62 seconds. In second position was Indonesian David Tjiptobiantoro, who moved up to the higher classification from Coppa Shell this year. Following in third place was Renaldi Hutasoit, also from Indonesia.

In the Pirelli AM class, it was a really tight call among the top three contenders, featuring a three way fight between Xu Wei from China, Ziad Ghandour from Lebanon and Voravud Bhirombhakdi from Thailand. Xu eventually emerged the victor, followed by Ghandour who finished second and was just 0.865 seconds behind the leader, and Bhirombhakdi in third position.

Xing Yan Bing from China was all smiles as he finished on top of the podium today, taking victory in the Coppa Shell class. He commented during the press conference that since joining the Asia Pacific race in 2011 and being the first Chinese to do so, he was extremely proud to finally win the Coppa Shell class. Fellow compatriot Jin Xin took the lead at the start of the race. However, Xing was able to overtake halfway through the race and made it to the top of the podium. Ken Seto from Japan settled for a third place finish.

This is only the first round of the season and there is still a long way to go. Many drivers will be looking to have their say in the title fight in the coming races. The next round of the Asia Pacific Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will take place on April 24 – 26 in Fuji, Japan.

 

2015 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific – Steve Wyatt, Ziad Ghandour & Jin Xin win at Sepang International Circuit

Posted: 14.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

14th March, 2015 – The first of two races of the 1st round of the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific took place today under bright and sunny skies at Sepang International Circuit with lots of thrilling action.

Dominating the first round of the Trofeo Pirelli class was Steve Wyatt from Australia, who finished in an impressive racing time of 36:26.774. Starting in pole position, Wyatt held strong throughout the race, scoring the fastest race lap time of 2:14.889 and increasing his distance in front of Philippe Prette from Hong Kong who finished second. Finishing third was Renaldi Hutasoit from Indonesia.

In the Pirelli AM class, the winner was Ziad Ghandour from Lebanon who finished the race in 36:44.601, 17.827 seconds behind overall leader Wyatt. Coming in second for this class was Voravud Bhirombhakdi from Thailand, followed by Xu Wei of China.

In the Coppa Shell classification, Jin Xin from China was the clear victor and kept his lead all the way to the chequered flag. The other two podium positions went to Ken Seto and Tadakazu Kojima, both from Japan.

Track action continues tomorrow for Race 2 of the Ferrari Challenge weekend at Sepang International Circuit. This will take place at 2.00PM local time.

 

Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific – Sepang International Circuit opens the season

Posted: 13.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Sepang, 13th March – The 2015 Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific season gets underway at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, from 14th – 15th March. Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is now into its twenty-third year, which features the 458 Challenge EVO, the 8 cylinder car derived from the 458 Italia and the fifth model to be used in the series that see both experienced drivers and gentleman racers on track in two categories – the Trofeo Pirelli for the former and Coppa Shell for the latter. It is run in three championships – Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.

The first round of the Asia Pacific Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, which is into its fifth year, opens tomorrow as cars take to the track today for free practice before returning on Saturday for the first qualifying sessions and the first race, with a further qualifying and second race on Sunday.

With a length of 5.543 km, the Sepang track features 15 turns and 8 straights with access speeds of more than 300km/h. The track allows ample opportunities for overtaking, to ensure a race full of suspense and thrill. A total of 22 drivers will get behind the wheel of the 458 Challenge EVO this weekend.

The calendar for the Asia Pacific series is made up of six rounds, travelling to renowned racetracks including those at Fuji at the end of April, Shanghai in May, Zhuhai in June and for the first time in Sentul, Indonesia in August, before returning to Sepang again at the end of August and will conclude in December with the traditional Finali Mondiali.

The Challenge drivers will undertake two rounds of practice sessions today, with the first race tomorrow at 2:35 PM local time (7:35 CET) and the second race on Sunday at 2:00 PM local time (7 CET).

 

 


Race 1:

Circuit Circuit of the Americas – Austin/Texas
Date 07.03.2015
Laps 23
Distance 125,824 km / 78,200 miles
No Driver Ferrari S/N Team Result
07
Martin Fuentes
458 Italia GT3
F 142 GT xxxx
Scuderia Corsa
11. overall / 11. in class GT
30 Henrique Cisneros 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Momo
12. overall / 12. in class GT
61 Oliver Beretta 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx R. Ferri Motorsport
1. overall / 1. in class GT
62 Ricardo Perez 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Risi Competizione
7. overall / 7. in class GT 
64 Duncan Ende 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Scuderia Corsa
38. overall / 38. in class GT 
65
Mike Hedlund 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Scuderia Corsa
15. overall / 15. in class GT 

Race 2:

Circuit Circuit of the Americas – Austin/Texas
Date 08.03.2015
Laps 18
Distance 98,471 km / 61,200 miles
No Driver Ferrari S/N Team Result
07
Martin Fuentes
458 Italia GT3
F 142 GT xxxx
Scuderia Corsa
15. overall / 15. in class GT
30 Henrique Cisneros 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Momo
12. overall / 12. in class GT
61 Oliver Beretta 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx R. Ferri Motorsport
8. overall / 8. in class GT
62 Ricardo Perez 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Risi Competizione
20. overall / 20. in class GT
64 Duncan Ende 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Scuderia Corsa
26. overall / 26. in class GT
65
Mike Hedlund 458 Italia GT3 F 142 GT xxxx Scuderia Corsa
14. overall / 14. in class GT

 

Pirelli World Challenge Beretta eighth, Cisneros on the podium

Posted: 09.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Austin, 9 March –The second race at Austin in the Pirelli World Challenge was run in the wet and didn’t bring much joy to the Ferrari customer teams, apart from one podium in the GTA category. Oliver Beretta, winner of race 1 on Saturday, nevertheless leaves Texas lying third in the championship, a handful of points off the leader, Austria’s Kevin Estre and second placed Ryan Dalziel from the USA.

Rolling start.
Torrential rain at the Circuit of the Americas compelled the Race Director to call for a rolling start, rather than have the cars leave the grid from a standstill. Kevin Estre produced a brave getaway, cleverly running down the outside of the uphill Turn 1. This put him in the lead ahead of Nick Catsburg (Lamborghini,) Johnny O’Connell (Cadillac) and Ryan Dalziel.
Further back, Olivier Beretta was struggling in the wet in the R. Ferri number 61 Ferrari 458 and dropped a place, crossing the line at the end of the opening lap in seventh place. He was behind Madison Snow who had made a great getaway in the Audi from eleventh. On lap 3, the race was neutralised because of an accident and, at the restart, Estre made the decisive dash to secure the victory. Behind the leader, O’Connell was losing ground and was passed by Dalziel, who thus took a second consecutive runner-up spot. Then came Catsburg, Mike Skeen (Audi,) Ryan Eversley, who did very well to move up from 25th in the Honda and Snow, just ahead of eighth placed Beretta. Mike Hedlund was 14th in the 65 car of Scuderia Corsa, while the same team’s 64 car, driven by Duncan Ende was only 26th.

GTA. Things went better in the GTA Class, with Ricardo Perez, having started seventh in the Risi Competizione 62 car, fighting for victory with the winner of the first race, Porsche’s Michael Lewis.
The Mexican then lost ground and was passed by fellow Ferrari driver Henrique Cisneros in the NGT Motorsport number 30 car, the Dane Christan Niesen (Aston Martin) and another 458 Italia the number 07 car of Mexico’s Martin Fuentes who was fourth.

Classification. Thanks to a fourth place in the first race and victory in the second, Estre leads the classification on 230 points, 6 more than Dalziel and 21 more than Beretta. In the GTA Class, Michael Lewis obviously leads, on 144 points, from Cisneros on 108 and Frank Montecalvo and Ricardo Perez tied on 103. The next round takes place at Saint Petersburg, Florida, at the end of the month.

 

Pirelli World Challenge – Beretta kicks off with a win

Posted: 08.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Austin, 8 March – Ferrari’s start to the Pirelli World Challenge season could not have got off to a better start. Olivier Beretta claimed victory in the inaugural race at the Austin circuit in the R. Ferri entered number 61 458 Italia. There was also a third place in the GTA category, aimed more at the amateur racer.

The start. The race built up to a crescendo over its 23 laps. At the start, poleman Nick Catsburg held firm in the Lamborghini, while Kevin Estre was slow off the mark in the McLaren and was passed by Ryan Dalziel’s Porsche and Olivier Beretta, who went past at turn 1 to go up to third. On lap 2, Catsburg led from Dalziel and Beretta, but the stewards gave the Dutchman, who was leading, a drive-through penalty for going over the track limits, which promoted Dalziel and Beretta to first and second respectively. Third was now the 2014 champion, Johnny O’Connel in the Cadillac, from eighth on the grid.

Tight duel. The fight for the lead was down to just Dalziel and Beretta, who were glued together from laps 13 to 21, with the Monegasque driver waiting for his rival to make a mistake in order to take the lead. However, the American didn’t put a foot wrong, so Beretta had to take matters in hand. He produced an amazing performance on lap 21 to sit on the Porsche’s gearbox and on the main straight, he pulled off a text book passing move, which saw him take the lead at the first uphill turn at the Circuit of the Americas. Dalziel tried to counterattack but to no avail, as lap 22 saw Beretta run at qualifying pace, giving the Porsche no chance.

A job well done. Beretta was thus first across the line, much to the delight of team owner, Remo Ferri and all the guys involved in preparing the number 61 car. He also took the “Move of the Day” award, for the best overtaking manoeuvre. “The race went well right from the end of the first lap and the car was perfectly set-up,” said Beretta afterwards. “So I want to thank the guys in the team for that as they did a great job. I waited for my rival to make a wrong move for quite a while, but he was driving very well. So, when it was clear the end of the race was approaching, I decided to push. I did practically two qualifying laps. In the first one I closed on Dalziel and passed him and on the second, I pulled out enough of a gap to be sure of the win in the closing stages.”

GTA Podium. Apart from Beretta’s win, Ferrari also had a third place to celebrate in the GTA class. Rookie Ricardo Perez, winner of the 2014 Ferrari Challenge North America and Trofeo Pirelli Am world champion at the Abu Dhabi Finali Mondiali, drove a great debut race. He was beaten only by Michael Lewis, fifth overall in a Porsche and Frank Montecalvo in a Mercedes (seventh,) both of them more experienced than him in the Pirelli World Challenge.The Mexican, driving for Risi Competizione was eighth overall at the flag and can now look ahead to the forthcoming rounds with great confidence. Behind him came another Ferrari 458 Italia, the number 07 car of Scuderia Corsa, in the hands of fellow countryman Martin Fuentes, who finished ahead of the number 30 car of NGT Motorsport, driven by Venezuela’s Henrique Cisneros.

The second race of the weekend takes place today and can be seen on www.world-challenge.com and www.torque.tv at 19.50 CET.

 

Pirelli World Challenge – Six Ferraris on track for Austin debut

Posted: 06.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

Maranello 6 March – This weekend, Austin hosts the first appointment of the 12 round Pirelli World Challenge championship, which will see various Ferrari customer teams in action. Taking part in the Circuit of the Americas weekend are six 458 Italias, split equally between the two categories: GT, the main one, and GTA, aimed mainly at the amateur driver.
GT Class. In the main category, the best known name in Austin is that of the Monegasque driver Olivier Beretta, who races the number 61 car entered by the R. Ferri Motorsport team. Olivier is one of the most successful GT racers of all time and is bound to be an absolute front runner in the two races at the Circuit of the Americas. The other two cars are entered by Scuderia Corsa, which has entrusted the 64 car to the American Duncan Ende and the number 65 machine to fellow countryman, Mike Hedlund, who won five races last year at the wheel of the DragonSpeed 458 Italia. The man to beat will be American Johnny O’Connell, who like last year, will be running a factory Cadillac.
GTA Class. In this category, the stand-out team is Risi Competizione, who have chosen a driver well known to the Prancing Horse fraternity, as the Ferrari Challenge North America champion, Ricardo Perez, will be at the wheel of car 62. The Mexican is making his debut in this category and will divide his time between this series and the one-make championship. The NGT Motorsport number 30 car has Venezuela’s Henrique Cisneros at the wheel, while the third Ferrari in this category is also driven by a Mexican, Martin Fuentes, who drives Scuderia Corsa’s 07 car. The top favourite here must be Sweden’s Henrik Hedman, who came second last year and this year drives a DragonSpeed Mercedes. There will be one race on Saturday and another on Sunday.

 

 

Ferrari California T “Convertible of the year”

Posted: 11.03.2015
Source: Ferrari

UAE’S Wheels Magazine crowns the V8 from Maranello

Maranello, 11 March 2015. The Ferrari California T has recently been crowned “Convertible of the Year” by one of the UAE’s most influential automotive magazines, Wheels Magazine.

The Ferrari California T epitomises the sublime elegance, sportiness, versatility and exclusivity that have distinguished every California model since the 1950s. It is a car brimming with innovation that will more than meet the expectations of discerning clients for whom fun behind the wheel is a priority, but who also demand a sumptuously comfortable Grand Tourer they can use every day. The California T is a brilliant expression of Ferrari’s sporty DNA, while its retractable hard top (RHT) and 2+ configuration, amongst other features, make it supremely versatile.

 

 

Nationality GER
Born 03.07.1987, Heppenheim

Races:

Date Round Ferrari S/N No Team Result
15.03.2015
Grand Prix of Australia
311
5
Scuderia Ferrari
3.

 

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