In recent Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari is back to front. But the lead taken by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing seems very difficult to catch. After the summer break, all the engineers at Maranello will focus on the car of 2012. Therefore, the primary objective of the second half of the season will be to glean more victories without hope … for now.

“Everyone is like me, highly motivated, with batteries recharged block for the rest of the season, Domenicali said. Our realistic goal for the last eight Grand Prix victories is to score as many points as possible. I am confident that we can get good results, but we should avoid looking at the standings. We know that the crown will be very difficult to get given the current gap. But see what will happen in a few races. We have the potential to do well, and we must believe in us. “

On a circuit of Spa-Francorchamps succeeds quite well at Ferrari, Fernando Alonso will attempt to mount a second time on the top step of the podium this season. As for his team-mate Felipe Massa, it will take to heart in the top three for the first time since the Korean Grand Prix, October 24, 2010.

Find in your magazine AutoTrader No. 1819 dated August 24, an exclusive interview with Eric Boullier, Team Principal of Lotus Renault GP team.

Thanks to donations, the sale of VIP parking and open auction which was held on the terrace of theVoo Doo Supper Club restaurant , the initiator of the event, Mario Guerin was able to confirm the purchase of a new heart. The organization had set a goal to raise $ 100 000 for the purchase of a mechanical heart for the Foundation of the Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec.

The auction alone has raised almost $ 50 000. A painting of the Formula 1 Ferrari team, autographed by Michael Schumacher, has also sold $ 15 000 last night.

Spared by the rain, the curious also visited in large numbers on Grande Allée to see the cars close. “The street was packed when we got our walk in procession through the streets of the city,” exclaimed Mario Guerin.

This is the second mechanical heart offered to the Quebec Heart Institute. The heart will be purchased in the coming months will be especially equipped with a rechargeable battery subcutaneous much more comfortable for the patient.

The journey started in Eilat, Israel and then moved to Beirut in Lebanon, with Fisichella who was able to describe his past experience as a Formula 1 driver and his current position, the GT Championship driving a Ferrari 458 Italia. “It was an unforgettable experience,” said the Italian driver. “It’s always interesting to see different cultures and is perhaps one of the best aspects of the work of a racing driver. It was an unforgettable experience to see the reaction of people who do not know the sport and I’ve never seen a Formula 1 car, near or even on television, in places which unfortunately have too often been the scene of sad events. I was struck by the curiosity of people in the simulator that the organizers had brought: it took only a few demonstration laps and some advice to generate a level of enthusiasm that will be hard to forget. “

Fernando Alonso – 11th and 2nd

“Even though I did a few laps on a dry track, my initial feeling is positive: the car is well balanced and there is no major change expected for the rest of the weekend. This is of course always difficult to get an overall picture after a day like this, but as I said, we started on the right foot, which is important because it is never having to make a major change in settings from Friday to Saturday, which plunges us into the unknown. From what we can tell, our main opponents are very strong: the Red Bull has a very good top speed and was still the fastest in the second sector and McLaren also looked good. Michael  ? I do not know enough to talk about him but left a significant mark in Maranello and it’s a lot. As a pilot, is a legend, maybe these days, it faces criticism in the press but the fact remains the main attraction, people shout his name, which shows how popular it is. “

Felipe Massa – 5th and 7th

“It’s difficult to give more meaning to a day as strange: first it was dry, then wet, and so on. Fortunately we have at least been able to try both types of tires made by Pirelli, even though it was only for a few rounds.
With engineers, we’re going to try to interpret the data as best as possible to make the right choice in all cases, first impressions, what I can tell, are positive. We have some new elements and I think we’ll use for the rest of the weekend because they have allowed us to improve our performance. To know where we are not compared to our competitors, it was not until the qualifying tomorrow. I really like this track even though it may have lost some of its magic in some corners as the slope of the red water which is almost right now but it’s always great to drive a Formula 1 track like this. “

Together with the appointment held in Moscow in July, the Rotterdam has become one of the most famous events of its kind, thanks to the wide range of performances involving different disciplines and some of the most famous faces in the international motorsport scene. Having been a prominent figure in a press conference on behalf of the Scuderia, Marc Gene, the Spaniard available to the Maranello team for commercial and sport-related development of the car, took part in the traditional parade of welcome on board a Ferrari California, and then get on track for a session of demonstration laps at the wheel of an F10, the car that took part in the Formula 1 World Championship in 2010. “The event, commissioned by the sponsor Santander, is for me and for the Ferrari Formula 1 the first time in Rotterdam,” said the Spaniard to the press. “Compared to my previous experience this is the longest run I’ve ever seen a road show and spend the most articulate: Usually on such occasions we see the long straights to go both ways, while here the layout of the track reminds that of a real circuit, allowing to test real braking and speed. My compliments to the city of Rotterdam and the organizers of the event, who were able to draw a circuit on roads normally used for such an interesting city traffic, giving fans the chance to see a Formula 1 car in action really. “The slight damage to rear suspension reported by F10 during the exhibition has allowed the entrance to the track of an F60, born in 2009, for the second round of hot laps at the end of a memorable day for more than 500,000 fans present.

However, this version will be heavier than 50 kg compared to the coupe, due to the increased strength of the chassis. The 458 will be slower. The V8 naturally aspirated 4.5 liter develops 562 horsepower at 9000 always r / m and a maximum torque of 540 Nm, but the extra weight causes it to lose 1 / 10 of a second zero to 100 km / h starting off (3.4 s). Top speed also declines of 6 km / h.

The mechanism of cutting back the roof consists of two parts: it folds to 180 ° lodge itself behind the rear seats. The procedure takes just 14 seconds and for all.

We do not yet know the exact price, even if he whispers that he should be 15% higher compared to the coupe version. The Ferrari 458 Spider will appear in showrooms Ferrari next year.

Despite the price of 260,000 €, this jewel has sold like hotcakes in the market day. Under the hood has been placed a 6.3-liter V12 engine that makes music truly heavenly. The power obtained reaches a peak of 660 hp, while the 683 Nm of torque, acceleration and provide a recovery worthy of a racing vehicle. All this, as mentioned, combined with all-wheel drive 4WD and automatic transmission with double clutch seven-speed.

Even more to celebrate this exceptional car, Ferrari has released a video on his official channel really nice, that sees the Ferrari FF in action being tested on some of the most fascinating of the world. It begins with the classic track in Fiorano, and then moved on to white snow-capped mountains, passing through the desert with the legendary Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the amusement park dedicated to the red redder than the automotive world. If you’re interested in Maranello, do not miss this movie.

“The example of the founder is always present, and during a sad anniversary like this, it is important to revive his memory, especially for the younger generation,” said the president Luca di Montezemolo.

“He was a man who has to look to the future, even when our country was plunged into a dramatic crisis, pursuing its goals with incredible determination. His dream came true, he is now a sports and industrial entity that is admired and envied throughout the world. I’m sure as he watches us from above, he is happy to see that Ferrari continues to produce ever more innovative cars and we are still at the top of motor sport, realizing the dreams of millions of fans brand anywhere in the world. “

On this occasion, James ‘efforts’ icon of the Ferrari car as the Ferrari F355 Spider. A copy of the discovery of Maranello was in fact the object at the base of the work entitled “Kalòs Thanatos,” which translated from the ancient greek means “good death”. The British artist has decided to burn a copy of the 355 Spider, then recolor it and put it on display inside a glass cube, along with some birch logs that simulate a forest.

Apparently, James has taken from ancient Greece for inspiration, it is the same author to explain the meaning of his work with these words: “The ancient Greeks used to offer sacrifices to Venus in the forests of birch trees, which are then as a temple. And the car in my possession was a precious commodity, something I’ve always wanted. So I sacrificed. ” In short, a modern version of an ancient ritual which involved the sacrifice in honor of a goddess, but who nonetheless are doing a lot of discussion not only car enthusiasts, but also all those who judge a mess and a waste destroy a car so expensive to create a work of art that is true or alleged.

The debate that asks if you really “Kalòs Thanatos” can be called art continues, but meanwhile, what is certain is that once again the controversial James Anthony was able to talk about himself through his creation: it is art or Only it does not matter to the junk on display thirty-six English, because in the end, the goal seems to have been centered.

It was inevitable but it has been waited too long to see the birth of this Ferrari 458 Spider version, a model that launched exactly two years ago, at the same Frankfurt Motor Show. For the 2011 edition, the berlinetta Italia adopts a version of discovery whose characteristic is to use a hardtop. Made of aluminum, retractable hard top offers, according to Ferrari, a big advantage in addition to insulation, resistance to vandalism and soundproofing. A weight gain of 25 kg has been obtained and a deployment time of only 14 seconds, suggesting that it is a roof that pivots about a horizontal axis. The manufacturer indicates just that it is “precisely to fit the engine without adversely affecting the aerodynamics and performance of the car” and that is the subject of a patent Ferrari. Profiles under the headrest, roof fits so flat, under the hood and behind the seats left vacant the vast space normally occupied by a mechanism of folding soft top or roof, advantageously replaced by a cargo area. Of course, other features of this stunning Ferrari 458 – V8 4.5-liter direct-injection engine of the holy year 2011, box F1 dual clutch, electronic differential – remain unchanged, returning the temperament and performance of the cut.

And small detail that makes it even better, the sound of the engine itself has been working to capture fully the passengers when the roof is open! With the ability to remove the top in the blink of an eye, the competition will be tough for the eldest who always rally, with additional stiffness, ultra sports clients.