I had the great opportunity to drive the 599 on Fiorano for 3 laps - which went far too quickly and left me desperate for more. The car is everything one would expect and so much more. The F1 is absolutely fantastic and essential to get the most out of the car on track where its prodigious capabilities can be explored. IMO there is no way a manual could be as quick or as smooth on track. Fiorano is very difficult, even the test drivers refer to it as a "very technical, difficult track", and I was thankful to be able to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. Even more so, I was happy that my free leg could press my left foot against the dead pedal to keep my body from shifting in the seat as the car develops such g forces that it easily throws you around both as you accelerate and brake heavily. Addidtionally, the new Pirelli PZero's on the test car are amazing. The track was a bit damp and oily, yet the tires grabbed like crazy glue. The brakes are equal to anything you throw at them. The test driver kept after me to use them more aggressively, "that's what they are there for," he kept reminding me. Very, very impressive. However, for everyday non-track driving, I'll take the manual. At normal real world speeds the F1 is simply not involving enough and it does too much of the work for you. There is so much power and torque even down low you can tool around town in first or second gear all day long. Every gear has huge get up an go, and except for some of our European friends, you will be well over any speed limit in the US in second gear. So foggedabout the idea of going through all the gears up and down on our roads and highways. For me, as I do not plan to track the car much, I use my 355 for that purpose, I just cannot see the value of the F1. I will post some phothos including one of Dario getting ready to take an FXX out. Watching that guy blast around the track is something for most of us to avoid. It will make you feel just as I felt, totally inadequate, .
Lucky you Did you have dinner at Montanas? We were there three weeks ago, Gestione Sportiva, factory tour, but alas, no driving.
Yes. The food was great and its a much livelier atmosphere than Cavallino. The biggest disappointment with the factory tour was NO PICTURES!! Its a wonderful, wonderful place, not to be missed, whether you are buying a car or not.
