Race and classic pictures

Hamilton and Leclerc unleash Ferrari’s F80 beast at Fiorano

©Ferrari

Back on home turf after the Canadian GP, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were up and running at Fiorano on Wednesday to take Ferrari’s new F80 hypercar for a spin – and let’s just say, it didn’t disappoint.

Billed as the most powerful road car Ferrari has ever made, the F80 packs enough punch to rattle your soul and rearrange your definition of “fast.”

Even Hamilton – who’s no stranger to savage performance machines –was floored: “It’s the fastest road car I’ve ever been in,” he admitted. And that’s from a man who’s wrung the neck of the Mercedes AMG One around the Nürburgring.

“I’ve got to order me some of these one day,” Lewis grinned, despite the small detail that all 799 units are sold out. Never mind that each one reportedly costs €3.6 million, VAT not included. Or your soul, if you’re buying on the resale market.

Leclerc, who had already sampled the car, was equally impressed: “It’s the best Ferrari balance I’ve ever driven.” Which is code for: even Monaco’s tightest corners would be fun in this thing.

Two Ferrari drivers. One €4-million hypercar. Zero subtlety. If envy had an engine note, it would sound like this.

Meanwhile, we’ll just be over here, adding the F80 to our vision boards – and our lottery prayers.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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