Typically F1 drivers come up through the formula racing ladder. But for every rule there's an exception, and that exception seems to be creeping up for Ferrari, who are facing a potential change-up in drivers that involves not just numerous racing classes but varied disciplines of motorsports.

First up is Kimi Raikkonen, the team's 2007 world champion who's been trying his hand at rallying. The Finnish driver has contested local-level rallies with limited success, but remains undeterred in entering the World Rally Championship stage in Finland next month. The event will be the first top-level rally for Raikkonen, and also the first professional rally on agravel surface following previous outings on ice, snow and asphalt. Given his level of performance lately in F1, if Kimi finds his footing in rally, he could make the switch.

If Kimi were to jump ship from F1, there's no lack of talent out for Ferrari, but the Scuderia could reach into a different talent pool and bring Valentino Rossi on board. The multiple MotoGP champion has tested for Ferrari on several occasions to considerable effect, and could be ripe for a switch from two wheels to four. But even if Kimi stays in F1, Rossi could find himself with an open door just the same as reports indicate that the terms of the new arrangement between the FIA and FOTA could make way for teams to field a third car in F1 in the near future.

[Source: Autosport and F1-Live]

As temperatures rose between Ferrari and its fellow constructors in the Formula One Teams Association, Le Mans class endurance racing provided a convenient alternative for Ferrari and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo to wield against his adversaries. He was even invited to ceremonially start the race this year, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the marque's first win there while hinting that the Maranello squad had alternatives at its disposal. But now that the war appears to have come to an end (notwithstanding Max Mosley's infamous intransigence), Montezemolo has stated that Ferrari won't be returning in full force to Le Mans just yet.

Ferrari's president said that his company couldn't shoulder the enormous parallel burdens of racing in both F1 and Le Mans, though he did admit that the prospect of returning to Le Mans with a full factory racing effort was tempting, saying "sooner or later we will want to go back with an official car." In the meantime, privateer teams like GT2 champions Risi Competizione will continue to field race-prepped customer F430s, but we'll have to wait a little while longer for Ferrari to take on the likes of Audi and Peugeot with a full-on LMP1 works effort.

[Source: Autosport]

We're unsure about the logic behind messing with one of Ferrari's amazing creations, let alone a limited edition model like the Scuderia Spider 16M. But German tuning company Novitec Rosso has no qualms about putting their own creative mark on the cars from Maranello. Their most recent creation is this twin-supercharged Scuderia Spider 16M that puts out 696 horsepower at 8400 rpm and 503 lb-ft torque at 6300 rpm. Capable of hitting 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and topping 205 mph, it's easily one of the fastest convertibles in the world. The Italian drop top also gets larger wheels and tires, sport springs with a hydraulic lift system, black taillights, side markers and reflectors, a leather/carbon fiber steering wheel, and carbon fiber shift paddles. Full details in the press release after the jump.




[Source: Novitec via AutoGuide.com]

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the Formula One waters, Max Mosley goes and sends a nasty-gram to Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) chairman and Ferrari head honcho Luca di Montezemolo threatening to back out of his promise to step down from his throne as leader of the FIA if he doesn't get a full apology ASAP.

It seems that Mosley is none too pleased by the way that FOTA have portrayed the events leading to the agreement between the teams and the FIA to run the 2010 Formula 1 season as previously scheduled. Says Mosley:

If you wish the agreement we made to have any chance of survival, you and FOTA must immediately rectify your actions. You must correct the false statements which have been made and make no further such statements. You yourself must issue a suitable correction and apology at your press conference this afternoon... [G]iven your and FOTA's deliberate attempt to mislead the media, I now consider my options open. At least until October, I am president of the FIA with the full authority of that office.

There's plenty more where that came from. Click past the break to read Max Mosey's letter to Luca di Montezemolo in its entirety.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer | Photo: makeroadssafe CC 2.0]

It's been a long time since the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Handling GT Evoluzione was unveiled to the world at the Geneva Motor Show, but with a name as painfully contrived as the plotline to Transformers (and likely the sequel), we figure it took Maranello three months just to get the name right on its media site.

Only the Tifosi and adept Fezza spotters could tell the difference between the standard 599 and this hotted up HGTE package, as the only visual differences include a tweaked fascia, new exhaust tips, rear diffuser and bespoke 20-inch wheels. But underneath, the factory-fettled 599 features a modified magnetorheological suspension and revised springs, along with uprated tires and a beefier anti-roll bar to coax a few more fractions of a G out of Ferrari's super-GT. For around $42,000, you get all that and more alcantara and carbon fiber, plus "Handling GTE" embroidered into the sports seats. Helluva deal. Check the gallery below for more and get all the details in the press release below the fold.



[Source: Ferrari via Carscoop]

Following hot on the heels of spy shots reportedly depicting a Ferrari 599 Spider, the boys over at CzechFerrari.cz have acquired a set of photos of what appears to be a government certification mule for the highly anticipated upcoming Ferrari F450.

Typically, Ferrari test mules run with the previous model's body panels, hiding the shape from the public eye and leaving us guessing at what lurks underneath. These shots are a different story altogether. Although missing the front and rear fascias, these test vehicles show most of the body, the aluminum frame, a bit of the interior and the engine bay – complete with twin-clutch transmission and high-mounted exhaust outlets – giving us what looks to be our closest glimpse at the upcoming replacement for the F430 we've seen yet.

The new V8 supercar is expected to debut at theFrankfurt Auto Show this coming September, with a hybrid variant potentially popping up at the Los Angeles show a few months later. In the meantime, follow the link to check out the photos for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Patrick!

[Source: CzechFerrari.cz]

Alright, so whether you've seen it already or not, most of the enthusiast world is aware that Top Gear has revealed its mystery "tame racing driver" as none other than F1 maestro Michael Schumacher. That unhelmeting came as part of the new season's first show which aired in the U.K. on Sunday, and we now have a clip from that show of Schumi's own FXX tackling the <i>Top Gear</i> track. How how the World Champion's personal Prancing Horse stack up? Click on the through the jump to find out.

[Source: Top Gear via You Tube]

The crew from CzechFerrari made an interesting discovery in an unknown location: a Ferrari California-bodied prototype with an awkward removable roof. At first glance, it's easy to dismiss the mule as just another California being readied for testing, but peering through the driver's side window reveals an interior that's noticeably different from the entry-level Fezza – it's closer to the Ferrari 599. While it's hardly conclusive evidence that Maranello is working on a convertible variant of its V12 super-tourer, it's compelling nonetheless. And with rumors of a drop-top version circulating for months and a facelift right around the corner, Ferrari could be preparing a 599 Spider before the new model debuts in the next two years.

[Source: CzechFerrari]

While the age-old question of whether the fastest way 'round a race track is on two wheels or four isn't likely to get a definitive answer, on July 13th at the Ducs Fly South track day at New Jersey Motorsports Park we'll get another bit of evidence to consider.

Three Ferrari Challenge cars will take to the track driven by the staff from Universal Autosports, with each competing against the other to set the fastest lap. Immediately following that hot lap competition, a series of professional instructors and racers from Ducati will perform an identical contest piloting the Italian bikes.

You know where this is heading, right? Naturally, the Ferrari Challenge driver and Ducati rider with the fastest laps will go head-to-head in a winner-takes-all race. Wanna watch? No problem – you can even hit the track yourself on your own motorcycle. Click past the break for all the details.

Between special one-offs like the disaster-relief F430 and record-breaking classics like the 1957 250 Testa Rossa, if you've had your eye on acquiring an especially special Ferrari at auctio, there has been no shortage of opportunities. And here's another to add to the docket: Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo's own 599 GTB Fiorano.

The chairman's ride is being auctioned off online to raise scholarship funds for young aspiring researchers. The example in question features a deep red Rosso Monza metallic paintjob over an interior swathed in charcoal leather and trimmed with extra carbon fiber bits. It's also been outfitted with sat-nav and an iPod as well as carbon-ceramic brakes behind 20-inch wheels. This marks the first occasion that Ferrari has auctioned off one of its vehicles online, and will come accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the current owner, who carries a bit of clout around the factory. Follow the link for more information, including a video of Montezemolo presenting the auction, or to place your bid. Thanks for the tip, Patrick!



[Source: Ferrari]