Latest news with #Maranello
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Crunch time' as Hamilton plots Ferrari title bid
Lewis Hamilton says he is "challenging every area" of Ferrari as he seeks to help turn the team into champions 40-year-old Briton has had a difficult start to his debut year with Ferrari, with no podium finishes other than a sprint-race win in China at the second race of the whose team-mate Charles Leclerc has scored four podium finishes, said: "It is a huge organisation with a lot of moving parts and not all of them are firing on all cylinders they need to be."I feel like it's my job to challenge every area. To challenge everyone in the team, particularly those at the top."Ferrari have not won a title of any kind since a constructors' championship in 2008, while their last drivers' title was with Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. Hamilton pointed out the iconic Italian team could not blame the quality of drivers for their lack of success. At various times since 2008, Ferrari have had Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Raikkonen in their ranks."The team have had amazing drivers - Kimi, Fernando, Sebastian - and yet they didn't win a title with Ferrari," said seven-time world champion Hamilton."I refuse for that to be the case with me, that's why I am going the extra mile. If you take the same path, you get the same results." Hamilton said he had written a series of documents for Ferrari's leadership this year outlining areas for has met with chairman John Elkann, chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna and team principal Frederic Vasseur since the British Grand Prix to go over both his issues with this year's car and thoughts about future development."There have been great responses," he added. "There are lots of improvements that need to be made, but [they're] very responsive and I'm trying to create allies within the organisation."I'm here to win. It's crunch time for me and I truly believe in the potential of this team, I believe they can win multiple championships moving forward. That's my sole goal."Ferrari are introducing a new rear suspension for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, with the hope it will improve performance by allowing them to run the car lower without hitting the track too much."We'll get to test the suspension tomorrow and I am sure there will be learning from it," said Hamilton."We will figure out how to extract performance from it. On the simulator there was no difference, but I am sure there will be differences across different circuits."
The National
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The National
Guide to Maranello, the city where Ferrari was born
For any enthusiast of automotive greatness, or even a casual admirer of what happens when pure passion meets precision engineering, a trip to Maranello in Italy is less a holiday than a pilgrimage. This unassuming town in Emilia-Romagna is home to Ferrari, the crucible where the legend of the Prancing Horse was forged. Even the most indifferent visitor can sense how deeply the company is embedded in the fabric of the place. A visit to Ferrari Central isn't just a stroll through a museum; it's full immersion into a legacy. It's a living testament to Enzo Ferrari 's relentless pursuit of perfection. The two main attractions are the Museo Ferrari in Maranello and the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in nearby Modena. The latter goes beyond motoring, offering a broader look at the life and vision of Ferrari's founder. Even non-car lovers are drawn in. The experience is engrossing and witnessing decades of evolution is deeply emotional. Inside, you're enveloped in an atmosphere charged with the echoes of thundering engines and celebratory podiums. Ferrari's vast collection includes famous Formula 1 cars, sport prototypes and road-going masterpieces that define the apex of performance and luxury. For racing purists, the connection to Grand Prix is the real magnet. The buzz around the new F1 film starring Brad Pitt - which grossed about $300 million in its first month - has only heightened the allure. Unsurprisingly, the museums in both Maranello and Modena lean into this momentum. The Hall of Victories is a shrine to Scuderia Ferrari's unparalleled F1 success. More than 110 trophies glitter beneath the lights, each representing a moment of global triumph. In the centre – championship-winning cars from 1999 to 2008, arranged in a proud semi-circle, all facing inward like predators about to pounce. But Ferrari isn't resting on its heritage laurels, it is looking to reassert dominance in the field. As F1 evolves, thanks to rule changes and real-time analytics, Ferrari has enlisted the help of Amazon Web Services to mine more than a million data points per second from hundreds of sensors. For Scuderia engineers, this data is gold. It fuels simulations, perfects car setups, and identifies issues before they arise. The goal – shaving off tenths of a second that win races. Visitors can get a taste of that pressure in the racing simulator at Museo Ferrari, offering a high-octane glimpse into what it takes to handle an F1 machine. For a hands-on thrill, Ferrari owners can enroll in the two-day Corso Pilota at the Fiorano circuit. From Sport to Evoluzione+ to Race levels, each stage builds toward competing in the Ferrari Challenge - the brand's single-make racing series dedicated to clients. Drivers are coached by pros, guided by mental trainers, and even fuelled by Scuderia nutritionists. The cars? Ferrari 296 GTBs lined up to greet you. Taking one around Fiorano's twisty track is a visceral, unforgettable experience. Designed with track days in mind, the 296 GTB responds to the lightest touch with breathtaking agility. And with a pro beside you - not to nanny you but to sharpen your technique - you feel at once safe and supersonic. While full factory tours are restricted to clients, media and F1 sponsors, those granted access board shuttles through the Fiorano circuit and Viale Enzo Ferrari. Along the way, you witness each painstaking step of car assembly, still done largely by hand. It's a sharp contrast to the robotic uniformity of mass-market plants. You'll see chunks of raw metal waiting to become part of one of the world's most upmarket vehicles. Even the buildings reflect Ferrari's fusion of art and function, with architecture by greats such as Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel adding another layer of appreciation to the engineering prowess on display. A visit to Maranello is more than just seeing cars. Local pride in the Ferrari brand is off the scale, but the crowds are a truly international bunch – from aficionados who know exactly what they're after to the less initiated who will soon understand the fuss. Coming to this region and sampling what's on offer involves understanding a philosophy and appreciating a fusion of art and engineering, the relentless pursuit of speed, and witnessing the enduring passion that has made Ferrari a global name.
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
'I hope Enzo doesn't get angry': the tricky job of running the Ferrari museum
Supercars Creating a virtual museum in The Crew Motorfest harks back to Mr Ferrari's philosophy Skip 10 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Michele Pignatti Morano's job seems straightforward, until you really consider the details. As the director of Ferrari's museums, he ultimately decides what the 860,000 yearly visitors to the prancing horse's Modena and Maranello sites see when they get there. He's hardly short of options, given the manufacturer's storied history, and the infectious fanaticism of its fans. Surely it's a matter of picking a few stone-cold classics in rosso corsa , wheeling them out, and then sitting back for an espresso break? Possibly. But to big boss Enzo, the very concept of a Ferrari museum was an oxymoron. 'His mentality was, 'I don't want to keep the old one, because the next one is best,'' Pignatti Morano told TG in a mercifully air-conditioned corner of the Maranello headquarters during an unseasonal heatwave. 'So he literally would destroy the old cars. For him, they were not worth keeping.' Advertisement - Page continues below Enzo Ferrari's contention that his cars belonged on the track and not under a spotlight in a temperature-controlled warehouse creates a bit of nuance, and even tension, to Pignatti Moreno's job. Times have changed at Ferrari, of course. You won't see anybody breaking down old Californias and heaving them into skips outside the factory, but you will indeed see numerous precious cars exhibited. Not without consideration and concessions to Enzo's vision, mind. 'I understand the philosophy and I hope he doesn't get angry,' said Pignatti Morano. 'But now we are going towards our 80th anniversary, and obviously after 80 years a car deserves occasionally to be in a museum and have a rest.' You might like And rest they do. Arranged at dramatic angles and varying heights across two museum sites, a who's who list of desirable supercars from across the decades now enjoy adulation under a spotlight. But should anyone doubt their mettle, they're also primed to prove their performance all over again at a moment's notice. ' They basically all are in working condition,' said Pignatti Morano. 'Especially the ones that come from private collections. They are in perfect working condition because the people that look after them do so in a crazy way. Advertisement - Page continues below 'Each car is a masterpiece nowadays, so it is looked after as if it was a masterpiece.' Given the company's previous proclivity for binning old stock, around 80 per cent of the museum collection comes from private collectors. That includes vehicles that served their time on the track. 'Obviously, if a car is 70 years old and it's always been on the racetrack, there will be something that is not right, but that's the nice thing," said Pignatti Morano. "We have experts that come and recognise the cars that are at the museum by chassis number. So it's not just a matter of saying, this is a 166 MM, they come and they say, 'Ah, this is chassis number 40. It's the first car imported into Portugal. It was driven by this guy, and did this race. This part should not be there, but it should be there'. 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. "Because in the past, cars in races were crashed, then they were fixed up in a simple way. And that for me is amazing.' Recently, Ferrari found another way to honour Enzo's museum philosophy. In addition to the race-ready models lining the hallways at Modena and Maranello, you'll now find virtual versions of them – along with vignettes from Pignatti Morano himself – in The Crew Motorfest 's Season 7's 'Ferrari Supercars' playlist. In a way, it's having your cake and eating it. A means of celebrating the manufacturer's historic supercars in a rare glance backwards instead of tearing forwards towards ultimate performance, without defanging the GTO, F40, F50 and LaFerrari that all once represented the pinnacle of supercar design. A playable museum exhibit. Given that for the vast majority of those vehicles' fans, they've only ever existed as posters on our walls and pixels on our screens, a videogame feels like the most fitting place to exhibit them. ' We tried to make something in a different way,' said Pignatti Morano, 'because a museum is something old-fashioned. Not everybody visits museums, especially the young generation that play videogames. So having the opportunity to actually talk to these people in a different way, I think was an opportunity that we couldn't miss.'
Forbes
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
This One-Of-Two Ferrari 250 California Could Hit $20M At Auction
Built in 1961, the Ferrari is one of just two California Spiders in this specification. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is already one of the rarest, most beautiful and most exclusive classic cars of all time – and now one of just two competition-specification examples is up for sale. To be offered by Gooding Christie's at the Pebble Beach auction across 15 and 16 August, and with an estimate in excess of $20,000,000, the Ferrari is one of the most significant classic cars of all time, and for interested buyers may well represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The car comes with a rare removable roof made from aluminum. Built in 1961, chassis number 2383 GT is one of only two such California Spiders to leave Ferrari's Maranello, Italy factory as alloy-bodied, full competition-specification examples. The car boasts a V12 engine with higher compression ratio and more power than regular SWB Spiders, with its estimated 280 horsepower output being 40 more than standard. The race-ready engine was derived from that of the 250 Testa Rossa, and identical to those powering the closely related 250 GT SWB coupes of the same era. This example also benefits from a competition-spec Abarth exhaust, covered headlamps, ribbed gearbox, limited-slip differential, oversized fuel tank, quick-release external fuel filler and the rare addition of a removable aluminum hardtop roof. The car retains its original 2,953 CC Tipo 168 'Colombo' engine, four-speed manual transmission, chassis, body and differential, as stated by the enclosed 'Red Book' marking its Ferrari Classiche certification. The first owner competed in hill climbs and circuit races with the car, racking up several wins. According to its Ferrari Classiche file, the car began life with bodywork painted a silver-gray colour called Grigio Argento, paired with a blue leather interior. Sold to Ernst Lautenschlager in Stuttgart, Germany, the car was raced extensively in German and Austrian hill climbs and circuit races, Gooding Christie's says. The California's racing record shows two hill climb victories in 1961, followed by a third the following year, two second-place finishes and a fourth. The car was sold in 1962 with about 3,700 miles on the clock. As is common for many classic Ferraris, the California was soon repainted red by its new owner, also in Germany, and was taken on Alpine camping holidays. The car moved to Switzerland a few years later, before heading to a new owner in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1968. In the mid-1980s it entered the collection of television producer and noted Ferrari collector Greg Garrison. One of just 56 SWB California Spiders produced, the car has an estimate of $20,000,000. Finally, the California was acquired by its current owner in 1999, after which it underwent a complete restoration and was repainted Grigio Fumo (smoke gray). For the next 25 years, the auction house says, the car 'remained a centerpiece in one of the world's most admired Ferrari collections,' and made appearances at almost every top-tier historic motoring event, including Le Mans Classic and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
RBC Raises Ferrari (RACE) Price Target, Maintains Buy Rating
Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) is one of the most profitable consumer stocks to buy now. RBC Capital Markets analyst Tom Narayan raised his price target on Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) to $581.42 from $569.79 while reiterating a Buy rating on the stock, citing strong brand strength and continued demand resilience in the luxury auto segment. The revision, though modest, reflects confidence in Ferrari's positioning as a premium automaker with pricing power and a loyal global customer base. Photo by M on Unsplash At the current market price of $507.70, the new target implies an upside potential of nearly 14.5%. RBC's update comes amid growing investor interest in high-end consumer goods, particularly brands that have shown the ability to grow margins despite a complex macro backdrop. Narayan noted that Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) continues to benefit from limited supply, robust order books, and a steady shift toward hybrid and future EV models, all without sacrificing its exclusivity. Ferrari's recent financial performance has backed up the bullish outlook. The company has consistently delivered solid earnings, supported by strong ASPs (average selling prices) and disciplined cost management. Expansion plans, including a new plant in Maranello focused on electric vehicles, are seen as long-term growth drivers. With shares already up sharply over the past year, investors are now looking to upcoming quarterly results for evidence that Ferrari can maintain its momentum and justify its premium valuation as it races toward an increasingly electrified future. While we acknowledge the potential of YUM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best High-Margin Pharma Stocks to Buy Now and 10 Best Industrial Automation Stocks to Buy for the Next Decade Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
