Ferrari 488 Pista Sport Auto Supertest

Looks like this list needs an update:

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/rundenzeiten/supertests/

 

Wow.

 

Mama mia! I really admire the skills of these drivers and the courage it takes to turn these lap times. I had the opportunity to drive this circuit when we took European delivery of our Mercedes. It was like something out of Mad Max...and we were in a big ol' S560. It was so strange to be on the road with a bunch of other loonies going at crazy speeds. Gotta love the Germans.

The Pista continues to earn admiration. It's legend seems to be growing with each review.

 

hmm...I expected a 6.54ish....definitely a time under 7:00...

 

Keep in mind that these are press times, not factory attempts, so you can't compare them to the times that manufacturers claim. It is some 10s quicker than the next quickest car this publication has tested! That said, I find the Ring a bad metric of performance.

 

If the Pista ran 6:45, you would think it only demonstrates how superior the Pista really is. Since the time was adequate, but not scintillating, the Ring is viewed as not an accurate measure of the true capability of the car.

 

Since you are clearly referring to me, let me inform you that I have been saying this for years (scripta manent); it has nothing to do with the Pista.

 

Track performance is significant in that it will demonstrate the objective capabilities of the car- steering, speed, handling, grip, braking, chassis rigidity etc with the results being quantifiable. For those who do not track their cars, driving dynamics on the road is infinitely more significant. A track focused car may not only not be optimized for road use but may be actually undesirable in daily or semi daily driving. As car enthusiasts, it is comforting when our car of choice performs in a stellar fashion on the track eventhough it may have little relevance to non trackers.

 

I do track and agree with the above. I am saying the the Nordschleife is not a good metric. Too long, thus slight driving errors and weather conditions on different part of it have a huge impact on lap time, undulated tarmac that suits a specific set-up that won't work on other tracks, not to mention the laughable places like the Karussell. The Ring GP circuit, for example, is much more representative.

 

But. if a car is really fast there, it will be fast anywhere.

 

This is a great time. Pista is a monster. I wouldn’t be surprised if it bested a Laferrari at many tracks.

 

Not true. It requires different settings (higher riding, less stiff) than proper tracks.

 

On the same tyres (R compound) the LF will be a lot quicker.

 

I doubt it. But we'll never know.

 

Nicely summarised!

NR being so long with many variables is definitely not your typical track which is why a fast time there means more to most.

Times produced on short tracks with smooth predictable surfaces and easy to remember corners provide for an easier repetition of times, but don’t give the same measure of a cars all round capabilities out in a real world driving situation such as the NR is able to provide.

 

No way. NR shows more about the driver. Cars capabilities can be shown on short or long tracks. What matters more is the characteristics of that track. NR is interesting because it has a lot of different sections (fast and slow). But it’s just sooo long that it ends up being a driving exercise more so than a car showcase.

 

My point is that the NR has the types of conditions these cars are more likely going to encounter during the majority of time they are driven. Most other tracks are manufactured with manicured corners and surfaces. NR is a test of both man and machine. - and without either a time cannot be set anyway. This is why most see NR as the ultimate test of man and machine against the road. Respect the NR! Every manufacturer wants to be king of the ring whether they care to admit it or not. Anyone saying the NR times mean nothing probably have a car that would never be able to bring home a good time there.

 

No and no. You know, we had longer tracks in Europe (Circuito di Pescara, have you ever heard of it?). Hitler just built the Ring and the German manufacturers made a big deal out of it. Great marketing them Jerries...