A few months after its unveiling, the Ferrari 12-Cylinder Manual is now in the hands of two drivers who are particularly well-positioned to judge its character. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were able to get behind the wheel of this amazing Ferrari A V12 with three pedals on the track. And judging by their reactions, the experience seems to have been a hit.
Leclerc and Hamilton Get to Know the Three Pedals
The scene is quite unusual for two modern Formula 1 drivers. In front of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton: a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine producing 830 ch, a six-speed H-pattern gearbox, and, most importantly, a clutch pedal.
The 12Cilindri Manual, however, is not a vintage Ferrari brought up to date. As we explained at its unveiling, Ferrari has developed a system called «Manuale By-Wire.» The driver does indeed operate a metal shifter and three pedals, but behind this deliberately mechanical interface lies an electronically controlled dual-clutch transmission.
On the track, both drivers quickly get into the spirit of things. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a few jokes exchanged before letting the V12 roar to life. Lewis Hamilton takes the wheel, watched by Charles Leclerc, before they switch places. And it’s clearly not necessary to hold a lengthy technical debriefing to understand their verdict.
«It's so much fun to drive.»
As the laps go by, the smiles and reactions speak almost louder than words. «Fantastic,» one of the drivers exclaims after seeing the car for the first time. Then comes what is undoubtedly the phrase that best sums up this session: «It’s so much fun to drive.».
This approach aligns perfectly with the philosophy Ferrari is championing with this very special 12Cilindri. Here, the goal isn’t to gain a few tenths of a second during a gear change. A conventional dual-clutch transmission would obviously be more efficient for that. Instead, Ferrari seeks to restore the importance of the driver’s actions. Engaging the clutch, moving the shifter through the H-pattern, selecting a gear, and then releasing the pedal: these are all actions that have become unnecessary in modern Ferraris, but which here directly contribute to the driving pleasure.
A test drive in front of Ferrari executives
This first test drive is, in fact, no small matter. Several key figures from Maranello are on hand to observe the two drivers: John Elkann, president of Ferrari; Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo Ferrari and vice president of the brand; and Benedetto Vigna, CEO. This is a way of demonstrating the importance placed on this car and, more broadly, on the return of a more mechanical driving experience to the Ferrari lineup.
Designed first and foremost to bring a smile to your face
After years spent driving single-seaters where every gear shift is made in a fraction of a second using the paddles on the steering wheel, watching Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton work an H-pattern shifter is quite a treat. Here, there’s no clock displayed, no pursuit of a lap record: Ferrari seems to have wanted, above all, to introduce them to another way of enjoying its V12. And judging by the smiles on Leclerc and Hamilton’s faces as they stepped out of the car, the mission appears to have been accomplished.
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