Wow!! Was at the track in Suzuka Japan and tracked the 599 hard in the rain and in dry conditions for the last 2 days at Forza Ferrari. With about 20 cars, mostly 430 and also a few CS, the power and stability of the car is just amazing. I am not the best driver, but passed about 12+ cars. When following right behind a 430, you can see the car behave wildly in the rain and notice it slightly, thereby making the driver ease on power. Not the 599, just going all out with almost full grip in, thru and out of the corners. The stability and the power to catch up with ANY car in the straight in the rain was just amazing )of course it has a V12). I felt so safe and was able to push it much harder than the 430, CS, 355 Challenge and 360 Challend that was on the track. A few cars spun and hit the wall (totalled) and a few CH was facing my way on the course. Passing a 360 Challenge was also not so difficult, though it took time. Guess his setting was not right (even with rain tires). I tried all the settings, RAIN, SPORTS, RACE and CST OFF. I felt most confortable in the rain under SPORTS mode. RACE got a little peaky and when I went CST OFF, the car behaved a little slippery. Was told the gear change is too fast and cause a spin alos. Track the 599, you will be amazed how easy and fast it is. Can get a clean line every time if you get used to the course, and how to brake, power on and off.. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I set them up to avoid running into things, getting hooked and loose my front end. PS: Thanks to M.K. for the photo's, he is a pro F1 cameraman, was lucky to have him shoot these photos, many thanks.
Well done Francis! I drive my Formula Renault in the rain a lot and am quite used to rain settings. I find the rain setting in the 599 is fantastic and definitely do not like sports setting in the rain. The suspension is too stiff. The car needs to be softer to keep grip. CST off and race setting are definite no gos in the rain in my opinion. CST off at high speed is for a more skillfull driver than me
Well done Francis! I drive my Formula Renault in the rain a lot and am quite used to rain settings. I find the rain setting in the 599 is fantastic and definitely do not like sports setting in the rain. The suspension is too stiff. The car needs to be softer to keep grip. CST off and race setting are definite no gos in the rain in my opinion. CST off at high speed is for a more skillfull driver than me
Hi DM18, and thanks. CST off is really scarry. I noticed something new yesterday. When tailgating a 430 in the rain, I thought I saw the car behaving erratically and wiggling a bit. Now I realize that it was probably the traction control making milisecond adjustments. You probably do not feel it, Ferrari does it so naturally. Take care, I will be flying to HK on Monday...
Suzuka! in the rain! experimenting with no CST!!! You have my full respect Thanks for the great post and pics... Charlie
I see a F40 two cars behind you in that pic. How did the 599 stack up IYO compared to that thing on the track, particularly from an acceleration standpoint?
Thanks to all for your kind comments on my bravery. Yes, there were many FXX in the rain the same day. Gent from UK, US and many others drove it in the rain. Many had to excuse themselves since they did not have rain and Ferrari FXX did not allow them to dive it including my good friend. He was not happy. At any rate, RTB there were the brave FXX people doing this. I later thought I was stupid to do the all out in the rain, but believe me, the 599 is just so manageable car..
