Drivers Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi test the 1050hp Ferrari 849 on track: "the sound is very cool

Between two Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc couldn't resist the call of the V8 engine. The Monegasque driver of the Scuderia Ferrari returned to the private Fiorano circuit to test alongside Antonio Giovinazzi, the new Ferrari 849 Testarossathe 1050-hp hybrid supercar that succeeds the SF90 Stradale.

Wearing a camouflage livery, kept secret until its public presentation almost 2 months ago, the 849 Testarossa let its twin-turbo engine roar in a mixture of adrenalin and rain! The two drivers took turns at the wheel, accompanied by Raffaele De Simone, who supervised the tests and gathered crucial feedback for the final development phases.

A mythical name returns

Unveiled at the beginning of September, the 849 Testarossa resurrects a legendary name, this time associated with a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 1050 hp. The heart of the beast: a deeply reworked 830 hp twin-turbo V8, backed by three electric motors for a combined power output superior to that of the SF90 Stradale, and up to 415 kg of aerodynamic support at 250 km/h.

Inspired by 1970s racing prototypes such as the 512 S and 512 M, the car blends retro design and technology. Its silhouette, dominated by a twin-tail rear spoiler, illustrates Maranello's quest for aerodynamic efficiency and its new stylistic identity.

Leclerc: "The feeling with the gas pedal is incredible".

In capricious weather, Leclerc was the first to set off. From his very first laps, he was enthusiastic:

"I like the feel of the throttle a lot more. You always feel the power, but it never surprises you," he confided.

A sentence that speaks volumes about the car's technical evolution: more power, but with total control. De Simone confirmed:

"We spent six months reworking torque and throttle response. The aim was to get more engine performance while keeping the same reaction time."

Giovinazzi: "1050 horsepower, yet real stability".

After the relay, Antonio Giovinazzi, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari, was also positive:

"The car is very stable, even with all that power. When you accelerate, you feel the force, but you remain confident."

Despite changing conditions, alternating sweltering heat and rain, the 849 demonstrated exemplary driveability.

The sound of a modern Ferrari

Hybrid hypercars are often criticized for their low noise levels, but the 849 Testarossa doesn't fall into this category. As Antonio Giovinazzi summed it up with a smile:

"The sound is very cool."

A compliment that will reassure purists: the Ferrari V8 retains its raucous, metallic voice, the signature of the prancing horse.

A new era for road-going Ferraris

The Ferrari 849 Testarossa marks a decisive step in the brand's technological transition. More powerful than the SF90, almost as radical as the F80, it embodies the perfect compromise. And when two of the brand's drivers, Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi, are won over by it, you can be sure of one thing: the SF90's successor is assured.