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Ferrari

Ferrari FXX K revealed

Ferrari FXX K

Ferrari has announced the extreme version of its LaFerrari, it’s called the FXX K. Designed for track use only and described by Ferrari as a “laboratory-car” the FXX K has limitations only placed by Ferrari, no competition or road standards apply here.

The V12 hybrid produces 772kW (1050CV), a pleasant 64kW increase over the LaFerrari. The bulk of that increase has come from the 6.2 litre V12, which now pumps out a maximum 632kW (860CV), up from 588kW (800CV). Those gains have been made in part thanks to reworked intake manifolds, a modified valve train and the removal of mufflers from the exhaust. Oh yes, it will be loud!

At this stage no performance figures have been published. Although, to be fair, the car is in its early stages here and hasn’t actually been released for sale to Ferrari’s chosen few. For now, we just have to make do with rumours of a previously unimaginable Nürburgring lap time (6:35).

You can see in these few pictures that Ferrari has given the LaFerrari’s aero package a pretty solid makeover. The bodywork is now 30mm lower at the front and inspired by Ferrari’s knowledge gained from GT racing in the WEC. Those small rear wings also do more than it appears they would and complement the extreme rear diffuser.

All told downforce has been increased by around 50% when in low drag spec and 30% in high drag configuration. To put that into clearer numbers, the FXX K creates 540kg of downforce at 200km/h.

Running on Pirelli slicks and with recalibrated electronic control systems designed for trackday fun this is one multi-million dollar Ferrari we would all love to drive!

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Ferrari Formula 1 Video

The baby in red

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari

When Formula 1 has a 17-year-old driver in its midst it’s hard to refer to Sebastian Vettel as a baby, but due to being the youngest ever world champion and, at times, carrying on like a spoilt toddler Vettel has been considered the baby of F1. And now the four-time world champ is enduring those difficult mid-career years by leaving home and seeing if the grass really is greener on the other side.

In truth, Vettel’s departure from the bosom of Red Bull is the type of movement F1 needs. It will create massive interest and we’ll get to see what Vettel can do in a crap car. Were his achievements with his former employer nature (his own talent) or nurture (Adrian Newey’s talent). It’s going to be fascinating to watch.

Ferrari, conscious of the marketing opportunities at hand, has sent out a special release and video to mark Sebastian’s first day on the job in Maranello.

It’s where he wants to be…

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2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures

2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Another Formula 1 season has come and gone and, as usual, it’s been a hell of a ride. Lews Hamilton’s win in Abu Dhabi secured his second world crown and put the perfect exclamation mark on a season of dominance for Mercedes AMG.

It’s a big job for a sole contributor compiling a season’s worth of F1 images too. Apologies for the delay in getting these images to you, but I’m not scared to admit there’s a sense of relief in posting the last gallery of photos for the year.

Never fear, the lure of F1 is great and I’ll be back again in 2015, hope to see you here.

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Ferrari Video

Chris Harris drives the LaFerrari

Chris Harris drives the LaFerrari

Good news everyone, Chris Harris on Cars is back! A number of old YouTube clips have been uploaded and are now live and free of charge. Let’s start with the LaFerrari shall we.

Do try and get some work done today.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari smokes Mattiacci for Arrivabene

Maurizio Arrivabene

After only seven months in the job Ferrari has moved Marco Mattiacci on from the position Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal. He will be replaced by Maurizio Arrivabene (above), who has made his name flogging smokes with Philip Morris.

It’s okay, Arrivabene does have Formula 1 exposure through his F1 Commission role representing all sponsors. But, running an F1 team? This is a bold move by the Scuderia and has been driven by Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne. The intent seems to be to improve Ferrari’s political strength in the sport, rather than its flagging fortunes in the garage.

“We decided to appoint Maurizio Arrivabene because, at this historic moment in time for the Scuderia and for Formula 1, we need a person with a thorough understanding not just of Ferrari but also of the governance mechanisms and requirements of the sport,” Marchionne explained.

“Maurizio has a unique wealth of knowledge: he has been extremely close to the Scuderia for years and, as a member of the F1 Commission, is also keenly aware of the challenges we are facing.

“He has been a constant source of innovative ideas focused on revitalisation of Formula 1

“His managerial experience on a highly complex and closely regulated market is also of great importance, and will help him manage and motivate the team. I am delighted to have been able to secure his leadership for our racing activities.”

Autosport has an article further analysing why Mattiacci got shafted.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Sebastian Vettel joins Ferrari on 3-year deal

Sebastian Vetel

In the most unsurprsing Formula 1 news you’ll read this week Sebastian Vettel has been signed by Ferrari on a three-year deal. He’ll start with them next year, sharing a garage with 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

“The next stage of my Formula 1 career will be spent with Scuderia Ferrari and for me that means the dream of a lifetime has come true,” said Sebastian Vettel. “When I was a kid, Michael Schumacher in the red car was my greatest idol and now it’s an incredible honour to finally get the chance to drive a Ferrari.

“I already got a small taste of what the Ferrari spirit means, when I took my first win at Monza in 2008, with an engine from the Prancing Horse built in Maranello.

“The Scuderia has a great tradition in this sport and I am extremely motivated to help the team get back to the top. I will put my heart and soul into making it happen.”

The movement of Vettel from Red Bull to Ferrari is great for F1 and the Sebastian–Kimi pairing will provide some great fodder for the F1 masses next year. Bring on the fireworks!

Ferrari’s full statement can be read below.

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2014 Brazilian Grand Prix in pictures

2014 Brazilian Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg’s win at the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix will give his confidence a nice boost going into the title deciding double points bonanza in Abu Dhabi.

Wouldn’t it be the ultimate troll on British F1 fans if Nico could beat Lewis Hamilton to the title with four fewer race wins!

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2014 United States Grand Prix in pictures

2014 United States Grand Prix

Before you wake up at ungodly hour to follow the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend here’s your pictorial reminder of what went down in Austin last weekend.

With his tenth win of 2014 Lewis Hamilton became the winningest British driver in Formula 1 (to use the bastardised US vernacular). The 2008 world champ now has 32 career wins, one more than Nigel Mansell.

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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren

Alonso set to push Button out of McLaren

Fernando Alonso

It’s hardly a surprise to learn that Fernando Alonso is getting closer to signing a deal with McLaren for the 2015 Formula 1 season. However, it’s now looking likely that it will be the 266-race veteran Jenson Button who will make way for Alonso.

The expectation is that 22-year-old Kevin Magnussen has done enough in his rookie year to keep his seat next season and will drive alongside the 33-year-old Spaniard. That will give McLaren another good blend of youth and experience as it reunites with Honda in 2015.

It’s understood Alonso had initially wanted to sign a single year deal with McLaren, in case a seat opened up at Mercedes in 2016. It’s now being reported that Alonso will sign a two-plus-one deal with McLaren which could secure him with the Woking-based team until the end of the 2017 season.

On pure performance, Button may seem miffed at being pushed out in favour of Magnussen. The young Dane leads Button nine–eight in qualifying, but the 2009 world champion has performed much better on race day, with 94 championship points compared with Magnussen’s 53 points.

If Button is pushed out then a switch to endurance racing is expected, with a high profile move to join Mark Webber at Porsche his most likely option.

[Source: BBC]

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Ferrari McLaren Porsche Video

A decent day out indeed

Ferrari 458 Speciale v McLaren 650S v Porsche 911 GT3

Steve Sutcliffe and his mates from Autocar recently spent the day at Castle Combe with half a million quids worth of track toys. Fighting for their attention was the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the McLaren 650S and the Porsche 911 GT3.

Which one do you think will be the fastest? And which one would you take home?

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren

Incredible F1 Lego MOCs

RoscoPC Formula 1 Lego MOC

In the world of serious Lego play MOC stands for My Own Creation and Luca Rusconi aka RoscoPC is king of Formula 1 MOCs. So far he has published 12 designs ranging, from a Lotus 43 through to the Williams FW14B you see above.

We’ve assembled a simple gallery below, but make sure you follow the link through to his website’s gallery, the level of detail is quite incredible. Luca’s work has seen him earn Lego Ambassador status and you can even buy the instructions to recreate these designs for yourself.

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Ferrari Formula 1

For liberty, Fernando

2014 Italian Grand Prix

Departing Ferrari president Luca di Montzemolo has confirmed what we already knew, that Fernando Alonso will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2014 Formula 1 season.

Speaking on Italian television di Montezemolo said: “Fernando is leaving for two reasons.

“One, he wants another environment. Two, because he is an age when he cannot wait to win again.”

The 33-year-old dual world champion joined Ferrari in 2010 and came close to winning the title that year and again in 2012. In his time with the Scuderia he has constantly impressed with his ability to extract maximum performance from the oft sub-par machinery he has been given.

It’s expected that Alonso will drive for McLaren in 2015, with rumours suggesting he may have signed a deal directly with Honda. There’s also a chance that he may sit out for the year with an eye on a Mercedes seat in 2016. Although, Alonso has previously said it’s “probably not a big risk” that he won’t be in F1 next year.

McLaren it is then and you’d think Jenson Button, who will be 35 when the 2015 season begins, could be the man to make way.

Of course, the other well known secret in F1 is that Alonso will be replaced by Sebastian Vettel. We can expect an official statement from Maranello very soon it would appear.

Vettel’s contract with Red Bull Racing expires five days after the final race, which therefore includes the post-season test in Bahrain. Red Bull will hold Vettel to the terms of his contract, denying him an opportunity to test with Ferrari before the year is out.

[Source: BBC]