Anyone track their 458 Speciale regularly?

Looking to connect with a few others to compare notes on brakes and such... DM me or respond here. Thanks!

 

Key differences that might be relevant for track use are bigger brakes (same as La Ferrari), and a traction control aspect (SSC—side slip control). Also 200lbs lighter, but it’s probably not as light on consumables due to reduced weight like an Elise.. : )

FWIW, I believe the 488 has the same brakes as the Speciale?, and a version newer of SSC (SSC2).

 

Here’s what the manual says (p.71):

- WET (level 1): designed to help ensure stability and maximizes traction on every type of road surface, both in low and very low grip conditions, by means of engine and brake control (in this condition, the standard ASR system is activated instead of the F1-Trac function).
(My summary: standard stability control—no F1-Trac traction control, no SSC)

- SPORT (level 2): designed to help ensure stability and maximizes traction only in medium- to high-grip conditions by optimizing engine and brake control.
(My summary: F1-Trac traction control, no SSC)

- RACE (level 3): enhances the racing features of the vehicle by reducing engine control to a minimum and maximizing brake control. This mode is designed to help ensure stability on a race track in high grip conditions only.
(My summary: F1-Trac traction control, SSC).

- CT OFF (level 4): further enhances the racing style performance of the vehicle. F1-Trac traction control is deactivated whereas stability control remains active when a certain level of sideslip is exceeded. F1-Trac traction control is off. Stability is NOT guaranteed.
(My summary: F1-Trac traction control off, SSC)

- ESC OFF (level 5): ESC off. Stability is NOT guaranteed, but all the other auxiliary systems such as the ABS, EBD, and the E-Diff 3 electronic differential remain active. During braking, the VDC system remains active.
(My summary: F1-Trac traction control off, SSC off, ABS active, E-Diff active)

Manual says:

“Slide Slip angle Conrol. In RACE and CT OFF modes SSC helps to ensure the maximum grip possible in relation to the driving conditions. The system uses specific sensors and an algorithm to determine lateral acceleration, yaw angle, steering wheel angle, and speed. The SSC system analyses the vehicle slip angle in real time and compares it against ideal reference values to optimize engine torque delivery (through the F1-Trac traction control system) and more effectively distribute the torque transmitted through the differential across the two drive wheels (via the E-Diff electronic differential).” (p. 131)

“The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) consists of two main systems:
- VDC (vehicle dynamics control), performed through the braking system
- F1-Trac traction control, performed through engine torque modulation, depending on maximum grip on the road and secondary systems that are always active such as ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)” (p. 71)

“F1-Trac is a traction control system which was derived directly from Ferrari’s expertise in F1 vehicles. F1-Trac is faster and more accurate than traditional traction control systems and is capable of delaying and minimizing engine torque adjustments as required in order to ensure the desired trajectory. The system estimates the maximum available grip in advance, by continuously monitoring the relative wheel speed and using an auto-adaptive operating logic. Comparing this information with the vehicle dynamics model stored in the control system, F1-Trac helps optimize the vehicle behavior by controlling engine torque delivery. F-1 Trac does not work in CT OFF and ESC OFF modes. The main feature that distinguishes the F1-Trac system from a traditional traction control system lies in its ability to estimate grip level accurately which allows the driver to make fully use of the vehicle’s performance driving potential. The F1-Trac system is designed to provide maximum traction when coming out of corners, driving stability and ease even under extreme driving conditions, and driving comfort. On this vehicle, integration of the F1-Trac and E-Diff 3 systems helps provide maximum performance and stability.” (p.72)

“E-Diff 3. This vehicle is equipped with an electronic differential, working on the rear axle, which continually performs a variable check on the locking between the two axle shafts... integrated with the F1-Trac traction control, is capable of improving performance, directional stability of the vehicle, active safety even when close to grip limit, driving comfort and handling. The system is based on the analysis and forecast of vehicle performance in almost all possible conditions. The is done by continually monitoring the pressure of the clutch actuator on the differential. The input signals are the dynamic parameters of the vehicle that the control system translates into a torque difference between the two driving wheels. On corners, the electronic differential can stability the vehicle when the accelerator pedal is released by locking the rear axle, control vehicle dynamics by locking the differential according to lateral acceleration and vehicle speed, and maximizing vehicle stability and, at the same time, acceleration on corners by locking the differential according to lateral acceleration, speed, engaged gear and torque produced by the engine. To obtain these results, the electronic differential system interacts with the F1-Trac, ESC, ABS, and F1 gearbox and suspension damping control.” (p.71)

Cool stuff! Though I’m not totally sure the relationship between F1-Trac and SSC. Sounds like SSC may be a higher performance mode within F1-Trac (see SSC description), but in CT OFF F1-Trac is off while SSC is still on? Does that mean SSC is only controlling the E-Diff in that mode?

 

I was able to play with each mode to get a feel for it. I’m not sure exactly how each of the systems work, but here was my real-world observation:

- Sport. Stability control kicks in like a “wall.” When the rear end of the car starts stepping out, stability control stops it completely at a tight angle. Feels like hitting a virtual “wall” to prevent the car from rotating. Intervention is abrupt.

- Race. F1-Trac really shines. The stability control “wall” is no longer there. The degree to which you notice intervention depends on how hard you force it to take action. For example, if you nail the throttle coming out of a turn, you’ll feel it intervene rather abruptly to prevent you from spinning. It felt like it does prevent the car from spinning In this mode. The beauty of it is when you gradually approach the limit, it feathers in very subtly. Sometimes I had to look at the indicator light to see if was intervening at a given moment. Turning in, it feathers in to prevent the car from rotating too much as you trail off the brakes. Mid-turn, keeps the rear end from stepping out too much. Same on exit. Again, if you approach the limit hard, it intervenes abruptly, but if you approach it gradually, it feathers in beautifully. Definitely “hero” mode.

- CT Off. With the F1-Trac off, SSC (side slip control) is still active. F1-Trac won’t feather in to keep the rear on from stepping on on corner exit, for example. However, if you approach the limit gradually, it did step in to prevent a spin at a pretty big slip angle to save you. However, you can still spin in this mode! If you nail the throttle on exit, you will spin even with SSC on. It felt like this “catches” you at a pretty big slip angle, as long as you’re not approaching that angle too quickly (like nailing the throttle out for turn).

Hope that helps. Would love to hear others’ experiences.

 

For those of you on track, how many days have you gotten out of the carbon ceramic rotors?

Anyone switch to steel?

 

Couple thoughts... My rotors were not visibly worn or scored with 10k miles and no track use. After 2 days on track, all were visibly scored, and especially the rears. I had heard the traction control shortened the life of the rear rotors and pads, so was aware of when it was active by watching the light on the dash. I believe for the most part, I was not using F1-Trac, only intentionally invoking it to see how it worked. So I doubt the rear rotor wear was primarily the result of traction control.

A friend has a Pista with 3500 miles, and he’s already had to replace pads and rotors once. Though he’s a semi-professional race driver on a track that’s known to be hard on brakes, so perhaps especially hard use and that track were factors.

My hypothesis is the rears wear out faster (assuming you’re not deep into traction control regularly) since the rotor diameter is so much smaller in back (especially on the Speciale), with less ability to dissipate heat. My understanding is that heat is what makes carbon ceramics not last a really long time.

I will report back as mine wear further.

 

Love the spec and great to see on track! If we’re getting into pics, here’s one from Laguna Seca on a wet day...