2021 Ferrari Sf90 Stradale on 2040-cars

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2020 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo arrives with new aero, same great Italian looks

The new Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo race car is here. And though it’s not a whole lot different than the 488 that debuted a few years back, Ferrari has a comprehensive round of changes coming its way for the 2020 racing season.  To start, the 488 retains its name. Ferrari released the F8 Tributo not too long ago, but the race car isnÂ’t changing along with the updated road car. Ferrari says the lionÂ’s share of work for this new 488 GT3 Evo is all in the aero. It spent over 18,000 hours performing simulations and wind tunnel testing to develop a new front end design. Now, the 488 has a smaller frontal section under the headlights, which allowed engineers to fit a pair of flicks to the front bumper. A redesigned splitter complements the new front bumper. The door shape has changed for better airflow efficiency, and the vents on top of the rear wing are larger than before. Ferrari says that all of this results in a more aerodynamic car that produces even more downforce than before. The wheelbase is slightly longer than last year (Ferrari doesnÂ’t say by how much). This was done to reduce tire wear and facilitate the carÂ’s transformation from GT3 to GTE. Ferrari says it focused on reducing weight, but it didnÂ’t say by how much. This allows the team to better place the ballast forced upon it from Balance of Performance rules. Some re-tuning of electronic systems was done. Traction control, ABS and the engine management system were all given a refresh in this car. Ferrari claims the engine software update improves reliability and “guarantees smoother, more precise torque delivery." Lastly, if youÂ’re racing with an older 488, thereÂ’s no need to fret. Ferrari says all these upgrades can be applied to the older car to bring it up to date. Chevy also recently debuted the C8.R race car, the mid-engine Corvette that will meet the 488 on the battlefield. 

Celebrating the Ferrari F40 and the man who raced it

The Ferrari F40 has become one of the iconic cars of the last 50 years. It presaged the supercars of the future with its extensive use of carbon fiber and turbocharged engine, but it was also old school with no traction control, stability control or even anti-lock supervision to save the driver if they got in over their head. In its latest video, XCar Films takes a look at the F40 through the lens of a man in the UK who specializes in keeping them on the road and occasionally races these quintessential sports cars.
John Pogson has spent his entire life surrounded by engines. His father was a transport manager for a trucking company and he used to accompany him out on repairs. When he was old enough, John started repairing vehicles at a Lancia dealer, and from there, he started working for Ferrari. Eventually, he saved up enough money to open his own, independent Italian car garage. His new business proved successful, and Pogson's customers started asking him to race their Ferraris, including the F40 - something he did with great success. How could you say no to that opportunity?
While Italian cars are his specialty, Pogson also has a soft spot for all performance cars. The video shows him driving his AC Cobra with a claimed 600 horsepower and doing some smoky donuts in it. Scroll down to learn more about the F40 from one of the people that knows it best.

Bahrain Grand Prix proves that Formula 1 finally has parity

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel claimed victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix 6.6 seconds in front of Mercedes-AMG's Lewis Hamilton. In so doing, Vettel vaulted into first place in the driver standings ahead of Hamilton, with two race victories to the Mercedes driver's one. The decisive moment in the race came with 16 laps remaining, as Hamilton served a 5-second penalty for holding up Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo in the pit lane in an earlier pit stop during a safety car period. Hamilton was able to reclaim second place in front of teammate Valtteri Bottas with 10 laps remaining, and he cut Vettel's lead from 13 seconds to 6.6 seconds at the finish. Bottas went on to finish third, followed by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in fourth. Ricciardo crossed the line in fifth, meaning there were three constructors in the top five places in Bahrain. Perhaps more than anything else, the 2017 season has been unpredictable and entertaining, marking a break from the last several years in F1 where one marque has been dominant. Here's hoping the rest of the year provides similar thrills and spectacle. Related Video: Image Credit: Lars Baron/Getty Motorsports Ferrari Mercedes-Benz Racing Vehicles F1 Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel