Before each F1 grand prix, all of the drivers are obliged to give a soundbite about the circuit. With a few exceptions (stand up Jenson Button and Nick Heidfeld, both of whom often talk about the city/area they’re visiting) the quotes make for pretty dull reading: “I like the circuit, it has a nice mix of corners and it’s important we get our set-up right blah blah blah etc…”
But Felipe Massa’s preview quote before this Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix made us sit up and take notice. He said:
Schumi is ever the company man, waxing unlyrically about “a lot of leisure possibility”, whatever that might be.
The Cali is one of the least attractive Ferraris we’ve ever seen, but if Schumi’s been heavily involved in its development, then it will probably drive like a dream. As the great man says: “In the end it is a Ferrari: sportive, strong and powerful.”
First official pics of Ferrari’s a new “baby” eight-cylinder GT
Meet the brand-new Ferrari California GT, a shiny red thing of beauty that makes us want take a summer road trip along the west coast of the States. Ferrari fans have waited a long time for this day - the Italians have denied the “baby” car’s existence for several months, despite leaks from Maranello.
Some facts: The aluminium-bodied California comes only as a convertible with a folding hardtop. It’s powered by a new 4.3-litre mid-mounted V8 engine, the first such powerplant in a Ferrari. Factory estimates reveal that the car will go from 0 to 60mph in less than four seconds. The California also gets an F1-Trac traction control system, so it should be as good to drive as it is to drool over. The Cali will make its public bow at the Paris Motor Show in October. [Autoweek]
