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Ferrari CEO confirms hybrid model will be revealed this month

Ferrari confirmed it's going to reveal a hybrid supercar before the month is over in its Q1 2019 financial call. CEO, Louis Camilleri made the statement. "The second model will be presented at the end of this month, with the world premiere held here in Maranello. As we have stated previously, it will be a top-of-the-line hybrid with supercar performance and a true beauty," Camilleri said. The Motley Fool posted a transcript of the entire earnings call online, and Motor1 initially reported the news. We knew a hybrid supercar was on its way, but now we know it's for sure happening this month from Maranello. The most recent rumors and reports concerning this car was that it would be a twin-turbo V6 with a combined system output of 723 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. A V8 hybrid powertrain in a different model is also expected to be revealed at some point, but that's reportedly going to come after the V6. Camilleri went on to say that this car "will be above the 812 Superfast. So it's not a 488 replacement per se." The 812 Superfast has supercar performance from its 6.5-liter V12, but it's more of a grand tourer in the Ferrari lineup. And the F8 Tributo was just released as the 488 GTB's successor, so it's more likely to be similar to the 812 with a different powertrain. Sitting above the 812 Superfast is no small chore, though, as that car makes 789 earth-shattering horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. Ferrari has dabbled in a hybrid powertrain before with the LaFerrari. That car had a 6.3-liter V12 supplemented by a HY-KERS unit, providing an extra 161 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque from its electric motor for a grand total of 950 ponies and 715 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid Ferrari will certainly be less powerful than that, but we don't know exact layout or function of the new system Ferrari is going to use yet. Watch out toward the end of May for this electrified Ferrari to finally make its debut.

Lewis Hamilton retakes F1 lead with 'miracle' victory in Germany

HOCKENHEIM, Germany – Lewis Hamilton raced from 14th to first to seize a "miracle" German Grand Prix victory in a Mercedes one-two on Sunday and retake the Formula One championship lead from Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who crashed. Vettel, now 17 points behind the Briton after starting eight ahead, led his home race from pole position until rain caused chaos in the closing laps, with the German sliding off and into the barriers. Hamilton, the reigning world champion, took the chequered flag for a record-equalling fourth German Grand Prix win, ahead of his Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. "I've never had a race like this," said the four-times champion, who was summoned to stewards after the race for a pitlane infringement but escaped with a reprimand and the victory intact. "Today I feel like I drove the best that I can remember driving. I didn't make any mistakes." It was the 66th win of his F1 career, and Mercedes' 80th, and minutes after the finish, the skies opened with an array of thunder and lightning and a torrential downpour that would have stopped any race. "Miracles do happen, mate," Hamilton's race engineer Pete Bonnington told him over the radio after a slow-burner that turned into one of the great comebacks of the Briton's already stellar career. Hamilton, who threw himself across the pitlane wall into the arms of his mechanics and also got a bear-hug from delighted Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche, seemed about as stunned as anyone. "I really feel that the rain has come down and just washed away any negativity and its a glorious day," Hamilton said, his voice wobbling. "It couldn't have been a better day for me and one that I will always remember." FERRARI NIGHTMARE Beaten by Vettel in his home British Grand Prix at Silverstone two weeks ago, where he went from pole to the back of the field and up to second, he had turned the tables completely. "Love conquers all," declared Hamilton, who had reacted defiantly on Instagram to the booing and hostility from a partisan crowd after his car broke down in Saturday's qualifying. "It's obviously very, very difficult from that position and highly unlikely but you've always got to believe," added the four-times champion, who said a long prayer before the race started. "I really manifested my dream today." For Vettel, it was simply a nightmare – the chance to make big gains slipping through his hands in an instant. He now has 171 points to Hamilton's 188.

Ferrari 488 Spider configurator is just in time for summer

The weather is just starting to show signs of being nice enough for open-top driving, which makes it a perfect time to configure a Ferrari 488 Spider. The configurator lets you select every aspect of your future Ferrari, and that means this Prancing Horse will fully let you express your own personality. In this case, you can spec out the 488 Spider as a track monster with a plethora of carbon fiber parts, or if you want more of a grand tourer, there are options like electric seats and the choice to alter practically every part's color. Unfortunately, none of the selections come with a price, so there's no way to know how much the gold metallic paint for the brake calipers adds to the bottom line. It's fun to dream, though. Mechanically, the 488 Spider is identical to its coupe sibling. The engine is a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 661 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sends that muscle to the rear wheels. The droptop can reach 62 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds, just a few tenths off the coupe, and the Spider's top speed is 203 miles per hour. As for the final number for those who love tracking every bit of performance with a stopwatch: the roof hides away in a scant 14 seconds. Related Video: