logo
Ferrari's now in The Crew Motorfest, and yes, you can drive an F40

Ferrari's now in The Crew Motorfest, and yes, you can drive an F40

Top Gear01-07-2025
Ferrari's now in The Crew Motorfest, and yes, you can drive an F40
The Enzo Ferrari museum comes to Maui, and you've got the keys to all its prized exhibits
Skip 5 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures.
1
/
5
Have you ever stopped and thought about what Ferrari really means? Sure, everyone – and we do mean everyone – knows the cars. The racing history, the association with luxury, these things are constants. But in the modern age, for one brand to house elements as disparate as a theme park, a Formula One team, and a carbon fibre chess set and still hold onto a coherent image is quite a feat.
More so when you consider that for most people, even the most foundational element of the Ferrari brand, the cars themselves, are just an idea. The F40 is one of the most recognisable and well-loved vehicles ever made, but Ferrari only made 1,311 of them. Which means for the other, ooh, several million fans who don't have one out in the garage, it's just a notion. The only place most of us can drive one is in games.
Advertisement - Page continues below
With that idea front of mind, that owning these cars is only possible in the virtual realm for the majority, there's a feeling of significance to Ferrari's partnership with The Crew Motorfest, which brings a new playlist of content to the live service racer and a digitised museum experience. The manufacturer's never been especially shy about licensing its cars in games, but this feels different.
It begins with Michele Pignatti Morano, the director of the Enzo Ferrari museum, telling you about the vehicle you're about to drive. How and why each of the era-defining supercars were conceived and engineered, and what kind of legacy they've created for themselves since they launched. It feels like a fireside chat after a lavish dinner, and Pignatti Morano's insights have a way of conveying what makes Ferrari special: the passion.
And moments later when you get into the car, that's when this Season 7 content for Motorfest feels special. There have been F40s in games since there have been F40s and games, and in fact this model was already in Motorfest before this new Ferrari playlist was added. It's not even one of the newly added models, but the lead up to driving one has been framed in such a way that this time, sitting behind the virtual wheel of one feels somehow more authentic. You're almost starstruck.
As for the new cars - the GTO, F50 and that newfangled F80 with its controversial, mascara-like streak of black running across the front section, they feel just as momentous to drive. And it's not just that they're quick, and follow the curve of a corner like the hem of a perfectly tailored Italian suit. It's the little details.
Advertisement - Page continues below
A new soundtrack, written and recorded especially for this playlist, uses lively string arrangements to conjure Vivaldi and Rossini without landing on the specific notes of their works. The speedometers and rev counters seem to have been given extra love on your HUD, each bespoke to its vehicle and signalling the dominant design trends of the era. Even the colour grading of the image as a whole has a red hue when you're driving a race from the Ferrari playlist. Plenty of other games have Ferrari's cars, but The Crew Motorfest seems to have a little piece of the brand's pure essence.
It's all leading up to your drive in the F80, the newest in Ferrari's long-running lineage of supercars. Its looks and engine specs have been divisive since the Prancing Horse drew back the veil on it in 2024, but here in Motorfest where parting with £4.2m isn't a prerequisite for owning one, you're given to take a lighthearted attitude towards its dramatic lines and enjoy the sheer plantedness as you zoom across Oahu at speeds only NASA has the equipment to accurately measure.
In total, the Ferrari playlist consists of seven new main events, 25 challenges and nine other side activities, and marks the beginning of a month-long Ferrari celebration in the game, beginning on 2 July. But what it does so effectively is create the feeling of being more than the sum of its parts. You cross the finish line feeling some of the passion that built the company, and then sustained it through the decades as it grew into a global luxury brand. And then you restart the event, obviously. Because that means having another go in an F50, or a GTO, or an F80, on almost empty roads. It's too tempting to decline.
After that, the rest of the season continues along a broader theme of European automotive heritage. The 'Luxury Chronicles: Europe' playlist will be added on 6 August, covering the finest gems from British, French, and German engineering. New playlist events will be added weekly during this time, along with 17 new vehicles throughout the entirety of Season 7.
Top Gear
Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox.
Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Success Your Email*
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why Tesla shares fell as Musk issues warning
Why Tesla shares fell as Musk issues warning

The Independent

time14 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Why Tesla shares fell as Musk issues warning

Tesla shares fell after CEO Elon Musk warned of The electric vehicle maker reported a 12 per cent drop in revenue and a 16 per cent fall in profit, facing increased competition and the impact of Musk's political affiliations. Tesla's financial challenges include the loss of a $7,500 EV tax credit, reduced income from regulatory credits, and hundreds of millions in costs due to tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. Musk indicated a strategic shift towards self-driving taxis, automated driving software, and robotics, rather than focusing primarily on car sales. The company began rolling out its paid robo-taxi service in Austin, Texas, in June, with plans to expand to other cities soon

Hulk Hogan promotes new business venture in final TV appearance before death
Hulk Hogan promotes new business venture in final TV appearance before death

The Independent

time14 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Hulk Hogan promotes new business venture in final TV appearance before death

Showing now | Culture 00:36 Hulk Hogan was in good spirits in his final TV appearance in May as he appeared on Fox & Friends to promote his latest business venture. Hogan, who WWE confirmed today has died aged 71, was a guest on the show alongside long-time friend and business partner Eric Bischoff to discuss the launch of a new freestyle wrestling organisation, 'Real American Freestyle'. The wrestling legend, styled in his iconic late '90s-era bleach blonde handlebar moustache and black dyed beard 'Hollywood Hogan' look, had fun with the hosts by delivering one of his signature unscripted promos to camera. Medics were called to Hogan's home in Clearwater, Florida this morning according to TMZ, after he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.

Lewis Hamilton's frank response to Christian Horner's departure
Lewis Hamilton's frank response to Christian Horner's departure

The Independent

time14 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Lewis Hamilton's frank response to Christian Horner's departure

Lewis Hamilton has paid tribute to Christian Horner following his departure as Red Bull team principal a fortnight ago. Horner, 51, was in charge of Red Bull for 20 years, during which the team secured 14 world championships. Hamilton, now at Ferrari, described Horner's work at Red Bull as 'remarkable' and acknowledged his skill in running such a large organisation. He recalled an initial meeting with Horner in 2005 when Hamilton was looking to enter GP2, noting they didn't 'hit it off from the get-go'. Hamilton wished Horner all the best, despite their long-standing rivalry on the Formula 1 circuit.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store