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Ferrari Roma: More details and new photos from every angle

We got a preview of the new Ferrari Roma yesterday afternoon, but now the official reveal is over and all the details are out. The British outlet Autocar was at the event in Italy, where it managed to learn a bit more about the coupe. We also have additional photos from the event itself where you can get a better look at the gorgeous car in a few different colors. It doesn’t disappoint. The 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 is a massaged version of the power unit in the Portofino. This engine makes 592 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque in the convertible, but it makes 611 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque in the Roma. The 0-to-62 mph time improves by 0.1 second compared to the convertible, coming in at 3.4 seconds this time. Top speed is approximately 199 mph. The Roma shares a wheelbase length of 105.1 inches with the Portofino and California T before it, but the Roma is slightly longer in overall length. Ferrari says the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the Roma weighs about 13 pounds less than the seven-speed gearbox in the Portofino. ItÂ’s also said to offer quicker shifts, smoother operation around town and helps to reduce fuel consumption. A redesigned exhaust system incorporates the necessary particulate filters, but Ferrari opened up the rest of the exhaust to retain its beautiful exhaust note. Engineers did this by removing the silencers and adding bypass valves, according to Car and Driver. The Roma is also equipped with FerrariÂ’s Side Slip Control technology, steering wheel-mounted manettino mode selector and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer first seen on the 488 Pista. ItÂ’s not visible in the reveal photos, but thereÂ’s an active rear wing that deploys at high speeds for added downforce — there are three levels of deployment with each providing different amounts of downforce. Wide, staggered tires also help with grip. The Roma has 285/35 ZR20s in the back and 245/35 ZR20s in the front. As we noted in our previous post, the interior is revolutionary. ThereÂ’s a 16-inch digital cluster and an 8.4-inch vertical central infotainment touchscreen display. The cabin is separated with a tall central tunnel, and even the passenger has a touchscreen directly in front of them. Good luck reaching it when the driver lays into the throttle. Ferrari also says the steering wheel is a completely new design, but it continues to house every possible control right on the wheel itself. Since the Roma is a GT, Ferrari is giving folks some trunk space.

Charles Leclerc takes fourth straight pole at Russian Grand Prix

SOCHI, Russia — Charles Leclerc clinched his fourth straight pole position and championship leader Lewis Hamilton was second in qualifying at Formula One's Russian Grand Prix on Saturday. Leclerc finished 0.402 seconds clear of Hamilton, with Leclerc's Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel third fastest at the Sochi Autodrome. Hamilton is bidding for his first win since the summer break and his Mercedes team is often the dominant force in Russia, having won all of the five races staged here. Hamilton is 65 points ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas in his quest for a sixth world title, but looks to have his work cut out against Leclerc. Alex Albon crashed out of qualifying. The London-born Thai spun at the slow-speed Turn 13 before slamming into the barriers. The driver was unhurt. Vettel finished ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen but the Dutch driver will be bumped back five places following a grid penalty for changes to his engine. Ferrari, winless in the opening half of the season, is now the team to beat as it seeks a fourth consecutive victory. While Vettel ended his 13-month losing streak in Singapore last weekend, it is Leclerc who continues to impress in his opening season with the Scuderia. This marked his sixth pole this season and it is also the 10th straight round Leclerc has out-qualified Vettel, the four-time world champion, who was 0.425 slower in qualifying. "It definitely feels great to be back on pole," said Leclerc, who became the first Ferrari driver since Michael Schumacher to claim four straight poles. Leclerc is 96 points behind Hamilton in the championship, with a total of only 156 to play for in the remaining six races. Hamilton has not been on pole since the German Grand Prix in July, a streak of five races, but was delighted to have split the Ferraris with his final effort. "I gave it everything I could in the end and I am so glad it came together," Hamilton said. "I wasn't expecting to be on the front row so I am really happy." Bottas finished fifth in qualifying. The Finn will join Vettel on the second row following Verstappen's penalty. Earlier Saturday, McLaren said the team will be powered by Mercedes from 2021, ending its association with Renault at the end of the 2020 campaign. The long-term agreement will run until at least 2024.

Race Recap: Monaco Grand Prix makes the kettle boil [spoilers]

It's not hard to believe that 80 percent of the action at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix happened didn't have to do with straight-up racing. Mercedes AMG Petronas wasn't expected to maintain its obscene advantage over the field with Monaco being a short track that rewards corner speed over top speed, but they still ruled two of the three Free Practice sessions.
Off the track, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said he thought it should be easier to beat his teammate and that he was hungrier than his teammate. Then came qualifying and Mirabeau, when Nico Rosberg had set the pole lap in the dying moments of Q3, and as the final few drivers tried to best it on their last chance - including Hamilton, who said he was on the lap that would have got him pole position - Rosberg overcooked it into Mirabeau and brought out a local yellow, killing everyone's chance to better his time. Although the sun was shining in Monaco, the paddock got cold as ice; Rosberg and Hamilton didn't look at one another, speak to one another or touch one another. Rosberg said, "It was an honest mistake." After the race, a disbelieving Hamilton said to the press, "I wish you could have seen the data."
They still lined up first on the grid, though, Rosberg ahead of Hamilton, followed by Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel for Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen for Ferrari, Jean-Eric Vergne in the first Toro Rosso and Daniel Kvyat in the second in ninth, split by McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen in eighth, and Sergio Perez in the Force India in tenth.