http://www.evo.co.uk/evotv/supercarvideos/200484/ferrari_599gtb_v_ferrari_550m.html
Seems to me that the 599 easily has the legs of the 550 but the driver was plain clumsy and just relied up the electronics to save his blushes.
Yeah right - more like he was playing around for the fun of it - afterall they were making a video for their website. Further IIRC the setting he has the traction control in is the most relaxed before complete off - or the absolute most anyone this side of Schumacher who is unfamiliar with the car, the road or both should be using on the public road. Evo's Dickie Meaden a poor driver? Give me a break...
Wow, it seems like the driver of the 599 was having quite a bit of a struggle to keep it on the road! Clearly much faster than the 550. Good video, beautiful roads, and you have to love the part throttle 599 easily pacing the 550.
Tragic. 1. The guy in the 599 can't drive, that's a clear thing. 2. The guy in the 550 is slow as hell. Ask Ze_Shark about the speed had on on smaller roads than that a year ago or so....I doubt this 599 driver would ever tail us. Another probably though...but it was fun anyway. Agin, you can't measure fun in kph or bhp.
Someone should tell him that adding gas too early in the turn is a bad thing. Maybe he was having fun since it looked like he turned the CST off, but there were cyclists and other motorists on that road. With all the blind corners, it just seemed reckless to me.
I wouldn't bet on that, Richard Meaden has just competed in the Nurburgring 24 hours in a works prepared Maserati Gran Sport Trofeo partnering Jacques Laffite among others. Finishing 36th overall and 5th in class at his first attempt. Think he is a pretty useful wheelman.
Further whilst the 550 driver is undoubtebly slow, that is the 550 owned by Harry Metcalfe - the owner/founder of Evo magazine and is a UK car and as such is right hand drive. Can't tell who's driving it, but whether it is Metcalfe (whom I believe many call Lord Harrison of Metcalfe) or any other member of Evo staff, it's more likely the fact that the car is RHD than lack of skill that's causing them to be slow. For those who've never driven a RHD car on the right (or as we Brits like to call it, the wrong) side of the road, it aint easy - especially when the road is as twisty as this one - notice that he keeps the car far closer to the edge and doesn't use the full width of tarmac. Those who still think Dickie Meaden can't drive, may I suggest you register on the Evo site and then view the videos featuring the V8 Vantage and Porsche 997, which were made on track. Then you may like to a) post a video of yourself doing better, or b) go to the fridge, take out a serving of humble pie and enjoy! It always amuses me how so many people on here slate the drivers in videos that are posted... you'd have thought all F-chat members were Grand Prix drivers or something
Very nice vid. Thanks for posting. Now we just have to wait for the 599GTC(or whatever they will call it).
Meaden just drove a Maserati in the 24hr race at the 'Ring. Finished 5th in class and 36th overall. Thats out of 200 cars. Bad driver, I dont think so.
Have i written somewhere they are good or bad ? I don't even know what is a "good" driver or a bad one ? The one that never crashes ? The fastest (and often dumbest) ? No clue. All i said is they weren't pushing the cars, and that the guy in the 599 is trying to play stupid, or has CJD in the leg. I mean what he does just rips the tire, loses speed and looks fine if in a lambo (or camaro...) while wearing fat golden necklaces.
That video was great! Meaden is a great journalist and a solid driver. Why is anybody even suggesting that Meaden was going full whack ? Of course he was getting the back loose for the video.. It was a bit of fun and a demonstration of how much power the 599 has over the 550.
Oh yeah, well take em in bed with you ! Frankly, if they were having fun, then the video can't show what car is faster (allthough it makes no doubt the 599 is way faster), unlike what as waid before. Otherwise, err...sorry again, but they can't drive. And the manetino settings is pure BS. I drove my Spyder on ice without even the ASR on and you can drive it quite fast without throwing it in corners all the time, if you want to. I mean, it can get you by surprise the first time if you don't know the car, but if you have more memory than a bowlfish, than you should handle the thing better in the next curve. lastly i hope the road was closed. And if it was, they can't drive.If it wasn't they can't drive and are braindead.
It is much easier to follow than lead on a strange road. There is no doubt the 599 is a superior car, several years of technological advancement and an extra bunch of ponies under the hood, better brakes, etc.. see to that. I admire the smooth lines the 550 takes without sliding around unnecessarily. I'll keep my 6 speed 550, it is more fun to drive than all this paddle shifting stuff and it has a timeless beauty that few recent Ferraris have in my opinion.
