How amazing is this shot of a Ferrari 599XX in maximum attack mode! There’s no special story with this pic, and we don’t even have a decent wallpaper sized version. But what an image; Thomas Quintin, sir, you have excelled yourself.
[Source: Flickr]
Apparently you’re looking at a new Ferrari model which will replace the 599 GTB Fiorano. Video footage of the car was recently captured at Ferrari’s own test track. The owner of the clip claims the new car is based on the 599 GTO and is currently being tested for mechanical enhancements. A new outer design is still being developed.
It’s also believed this model could feature a variation of the HY-KERS technology as previewed by Ferrari at Geneva earlier this year.
You can watch the video after the break and here’s a tip, turn the volume up to eleven!
[Source: YouTube]
The performance figures of the New Stratos have just been published on the official website and join last week’s technical specs. So just how fast is a custom-built supercar that weighs less than 1250kg with 375kW on tap?
Aside from quoting a power-to-weight ratio of less than 2.3kg/hp not much else is given away.
[Source: New Stratos]
It was back in July that we first heard about the new Ferrari 458 Challenge, Maranello’s ready-to-race supercar based on the 458 Italia. Since then we’ve seen a couple of test videos showing the car in action, first at Fiorano, then at Monza.
The key numbers for the 458 Challenge are 419kW at 9000rpm, 540Nm at 6000rpm with a top speed of 310km/h. It’s also the first of Ferrari’s track-only creations to feature an E-Diff to help keep things in check. Joining this electronic wizardry is the F1-Trac system which features two settings calibrated using data sourced from Ferrari’s F1 and GT racing programs.
There’s more pics and Ferrari’s official press release waiting for you after the break.
Here is our last image gallery from the 2010 Formula One season. Bringing you these pics has been a fun, albeit labour intensive, addition to the AUSmotive routine and we look forward to bringing you more great pics in 2011.
For now, though, here are 101 photos from the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is Sebastian Vettel’s time to shine; Mark Webber fans – you may want to look away now.
Unfortunately for Mark Webber fans, and Ferrari fans too, the decision to pit early for fresh tyres at last night’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has not become any wiser. Seventh for Alonso, and eighth for Webber, left those two in places that are darker than they could have imagined before the race began. However, it’s nothing but sunshine for Sebastian Vettel.
At 23 years, 4 months, 12 days, Vettel’s victory on the Yas Marina circuit saw him become the sport’s youngest ever World Champion. On balance the young German has been the quickest driver across the season, his 10 pole positions and five race wins attest to that.
It seems a long time ago now, but poor fortune through mechanical failure robbed him of victory in the first two races at Bahrain and Australia. Then, the recent engine failure in Korea stole another race win from his grasp. Add 75 points to his tally of 256 points and take 50 points away from Alonso, who was the man to benefit with a win in two of those three races, and all of a sudden you can see how the 2010 season may well have been a procession, much like last night’s race.
Sadly, this means it wasn’t to be for Mark Webber, who must be congratulated for running Vettel right down to the wire. Webber wasn’t given much chance at the start of the year and his five pole positions and four race wins certainly made quite a few people stand up and take notice. Especially those in his own garage. Here’s hoping Webber proves to be solid nuisance value again in 2011.
For now, you can read the post-race press conference including Vettel’s comments and those of the McLaren pair of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Perhaps, a nice sight to see the two most recent World Champions on the podium to crown the sport’s newest king.
There’s not long to go now. The first Free Practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins in under 12 hours. This is the first time in Formula One history that four drivers have still been in the hunt for the Drivers’ title going into the last race.
There are numerous permutations that could lead to any one of those guys in the picture above being crowned World Champion after the race; the pressure on Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Mark Webber, in particular, is huge. Check out the pre-race presser after the break to see how they’re coping so far.
[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]
The Brazilian Grand Prix has been run and won. Red Bull Racing have taken the last of the lollies from the Constructors’ jar; well done them, it’s a ripping effort. Sebastien Vettel’s win at Interlagos made sure the Drivers’ race will go right down to the wire, with Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso his most likely barriers between world title success.
Truth be told, the biggest excitement in Sao Paulo last weekend involved poor old Jenson Button and some masked men. The race itself largely sorted itself out after the novelty of Nico Hülkenberg’s pole position had passed.
You can relive the event after the jump. Unfortunately the pics from McLaren are not available in 2000px super sizing. The good news is, all the others are, so get clicking.
Now, bring on Abu Dhabi!
So it was another Red Bull Racing one-two in Brazil this morning, with the young German Sebastian Vettel taking the win to keep his title hopes well and truly alive. Australia’s Mark Webber came home second and is still the closest man to Ferrari’s Fernando, some eight points behind. Alonso, third, simply needs to finish second or better at next weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become the youngest man to be crowned a triple World Champion.
The Constructors’ Championship was decided in Sao Paulo with the maximum points haul for Red Bull enough for the Milton Keynes based outfit to deny the chances of McLaren. Cast your mind back to the bits and pieces that were left over from the old Jaguar team at the end of 2004 and consider their reincarnation as Red Bull Racing is now the best team in F1; very impressive given the resources and history of their closest opponents. As Team Principal it is fair and reasonable that Christian Horner was on the podium to claim the team’s trophy, perhaps, though, it should have been Adrian Newey; without him the RB6 may not have been the dominant car in season 2010.
Clearly Fernando Alonso is the odd man out in the picture above, will it be him, or one of the Red Bull men with the broadest smile after the season finale?
You can gauge the thoughts of all three contenders with the full transcript from the post-race press conference below.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
That Maranello red elephant in the desert is close to opening in Abu Dhabi. Otherwise known as Ferrari World, the theme park was given a press preview last week. At over 200,000 square metres this is one big park. Inside you’ll see all the expected Ferrari guff, as well as a few roller coasters and the like.
The official opening to the public has been delayed until 4 November as mark of respect to the passing of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates.
Ferrai World expect the visitor split will be 60:40 in favour local residents to tourists. Being placed alongside the Yas Marina Grand Prix track will certainly help boost overseas tourist numbers. Ticket prices range from AED165 ($45) and go right up to AED375 ($105) which includes priority access for all rides.
Will this ambitious project become a roaring success, or is it going to be a massive failure? Tell us what you think. There’s a couple of videos and a few pics after the break to help you make up your mind.
More information is available at the official Ferrari World Abu Dhabi website.
While over at Winding Road reading about Jack Brabham we also came across this great image gallery of the Ferrari 458 Italia. The pics were taken by Chris Amos and they’re bloody good too. Amos has captured just about every visual detail you could hope for. Follow the source link below for more.
This is the second 458 photoshoot we have linked to this month. If you missed the first one, check it out here.
[Source: Winding Road]
“Our Mark” binned it! Can you believe it. It was a race that promised so much; an opportunity for Webber to really intensify the pressure on his rivals. Instead, on a dramatic and soaking wet afternoon in Yeongam, Mark put it into the wall and he walked away empty handed. Pressure does strange things and amplifies the tiniest of indiscretions. It was a mistake that needn’t have happened. Webber cracked on Sunday.
Worse, it looked like his fiercest rival, Sebastien Vettel, was going to rub his nose in it with a comfortable victory. A win that would have put the young German 11 points ahead of Webber and the shift in power across the garage would likely have been irreversible. For Mark, at least, fate dealt a helping hand when a dominant Vettel was robbed of certain victory after his Renault engine disintegrated with no apparent warning.
Only too happy to watch the imploding Red Bulls ahead of him Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was there to pick up the pieces. He drove solidly and mostly kept himself out of trouble, despite the woeful light conditions towards the end of the race. Amazingly, he now finds himself 11 points ahead of Webber in the drivers’ title race. A few weeks back he was the fifth man in the chasing pack.
With just two more races to go, can Fernando hold off the inevitable challenge from those closest behind? Brazil is next and Webber is the defending race winner. How he would love an encore performance in two weeks time.
For now, though, catch up on all the drama from last weekend with 80 pics from the inaugural Korean Grand Prix.