The Ferrari 458 Italia is an Italian production car is known to have a powerful performance and speed in cross racing. Therefore the Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi was very interested in his own country of production cars. VR46 driving a Ferrari 458 in the Blancpain Endurance Series race.
Not unexpectedly champion Valentino Rossi is not only the Motorcycle but also good driving race cars.
Of course many are curious about the action of the Moto GP champion.
Valentino Rossi is entered in this weekend's Nürburgring round of the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Vale himself tweeted - Since we had nothing to do and there are only 5 races in the next seven weeks we came to the Nurburgring
Valentino is driving a Ferrari 458 Italia in a special VR46 livery. The car is run by the Kessel Racing team. He shares the 458 with fellow Italians Alessio Salucci and Andrea Ceccato.
The Blancpain Endurance Series features 3 hour races for GT3 and GT4 cars. They race at Monza (which Rossi also entered), Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Spa-Francorchamps, Nürburgring and Navarra.
Qualifying takes place at 9.40am CET with the race starting at 2.30pm.
The number 46 Kessel Racing car of Rossi, Salucci and Ceccato was 15th in free practice - out of a field of 45 cars.
Valentino also tweeted - What a thrill boys, we drove the old Nurburgring truly amazing, like being on a roller coaster...That emotion ... I hope that the experience will help me in Gran Turismo.
Ferrari 458 review
The classic mid-engined V8 berlinetta layout seen here in the Ferrari 458 Italia actually began with the 2+2 Dino 308 GT4 in 1973. In more recent history, it is the elegant 1994 F355 that many think of when considering the best and most memorable of the two-seat ‘baby’ Ferraris that make up the 458’s predecessors.
Since the 3.5-litre F355 ended production in 1999, two new generations – the 360 Modena and F430 – had rolled out of Maranello before the 458 arrived.
There has always been a bit of a contradiction about the notion of a junior Ferrari. But, with a few notable exceptions, that is how the mid-engined V8-powered cars from Maranello have been known.
So it was with the 308 GTB, and the line of cars that followed. Now, though, things are changing at Ferrari. In the California, it has a fourth model line designed to cater for those wanting a slighter softer experience from their Prancing Horse.
Which has given this 458 Italia, the latest V8 Ferrari, the licence to move into more serious territory. There is nothing remotely junior about 562bhp or a top speed in excess of 200mph.
Not only does it outpace the V12 599 GTB to 60mph and 100mph but, once you plunder the massively tempting options list with its array of performance and luxury enhancing gadgets, this is a car that can easily cost over £200,000.
For the 458 Spider (note the lack of Italia nomenclature for the open-top car), this reality is even more attainable; its basic price is almost £200,000 already.
Numbers are one thing, though. What we are here to find out is if the new junior has not just moved the game on, but also entered the rarefied ranks of the truly great Ferraris.
source: www.autocar.co.uk
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