Chris Harris takes on Ferrari on US website....in a big way
Discussion
Rawwr said:
I don't believe anyone is naive enough to believe that press cars aren't whistled on a bit and I guess that's to be expected, to a degree. I think there's an almost sinister undercurrent in Harris's article, which makes it sound like Ferrari are going 'beyond creepy' in wanting the automotive scrawl-monkeys to write the correct things.
There's a difference between sending a well fettled car (gone over carefully by preparing mechanics to make sure there are no problems with the car) and completely reprogramming the E-diff, stability and traction systems to make the car go faster than the competition. If your car is better than everyone else's then it should be fast anyway.Well done Mr. Harris!
It has been known for sometime just how stupid Ferrari's rules for press cars have got, and yes, I know all manufactures do it, but nothing like as stupidly as Ferrari do, and it's about time somebody stood up and said it!
It has been known for sometime just how stupid Ferrari's rules for press cars have got, and yes, I know all manufactures do it, but nothing like as stupidly as Ferrari do, and it's about time somebody stood up and said it!
Edited by Megaflow on Tuesday 15th February 22:54
A good rant, it'll be interesting to see the fallout from it.
I remember thinking how pathetic it was when Autocar & Evo mentioned Ferrari delivering cars for tests and getting arsey when they weren't 'their' cars. It seems Enzos spirit lives on in the company!!
If it helps the cause, even if I had the money for one I wouldn't buy one!
I remember thinking how pathetic it was when Autocar & Evo mentioned Ferrari delivering cars for tests and getting arsey when they weren't 'their' cars. It seems Enzos spirit lives on in the company!!
If it helps the cause, even if I had the money for one I wouldn't buy one!
Well done Chris.
Ferrari do act like primadonnas when it comes to this sort of thing.
Evo wanted to test the 599 GTO for their Performance Car of the Year in December. Ferrari said that all their press cars were tied down and when Evo asked if they could get a customer car, Ferrari said they'd pull the F458 as well.
Pathetic really.
That said, I haven't read that much good stuff about the GTO. Not deserving of the name due to the lack of racey stuff going on and undrivable with the nanny turned off.
Ferrari do act like primadonnas when it comes to this sort of thing.
Evo wanted to test the 599 GTO for their Performance Car of the Year in December. Ferrari said that all their press cars were tied down and when Evo asked if they could get a customer car, Ferrari said they'd pull the F458 as well.
Pathetic really.
That said, I haven't read that much good stuff about the GTO. Not deserving of the name due to the lack of racey stuff going on and undrivable with the nanny turned off.
Well done Mr Harris.
The Ferrari approach to road tests has been alluded to several times in Evo over the years but stops short of actually criticising Ferrari's approach.
Any right-minded reader knows full well press cars are usually 'well maintained' but sending whole teams and spare wheel/tyre sets etc? Reeks of insecurity about your product IMO.
The Ferrari approach to road tests has been alluded to several times in Evo over the years but stops short of actually criticising Ferrari's approach.
Any right-minded reader knows full well press cars are usually 'well maintained' but sending whole teams and spare wheel/tyre sets etc? Reeks of insecurity about your product IMO.
CraigyMc said:
So far this evening:
Chris Harris ends up doing PR for McLaren.
(said in jest, but I'd love that job..)
C
Wasn't that Chris Chilton of Car magazine in the McLaren thread?- Chris Harris joins PH (as far as I can tell). Talks a bit about McLaren's new car.
- Chris Harris falls out publically with Ferrari.
Chris Harris ends up doing PR for McLaren.
(said in jest, but I'd love that job..)
C
interesting rant, nothing new in it but nice to hear a first person perspective on it.
Will it make a jot of difference to Ferrari, nope, I very much doubt they care, it's just more publicity.
Will it put people off buying one, maybe, maybe not. Journalist from whatever media when it comes to car reviews are merely expressing an opinion based on there own experience and occasional biase. Lets face it, any one who buys a Ferrari buys it because they want it, not at the say so of a journo, especially one with such a clear agenda.
Good luck on his 15 minutes of fame for this piece. It clearly got him noticed and I for one would read any follow up from him with interest, particularly if he actually gets any response from Italy!!
Oh and his a review on the new Mclaren, any guesses on how it may read???
Footnote for the haters/Mclaren members
No, I am not an out and out Ferrari fan, like the classics but not so much the moderns ones, would go for a Lambo if I had that kind of cash for a new car.
Will it make a jot of difference to Ferrari, nope, I very much doubt they care, it's just more publicity.
Will it put people off buying one, maybe, maybe not. Journalist from whatever media when it comes to car reviews are merely expressing an opinion based on there own experience and occasional biase. Lets face it, any one who buys a Ferrari buys it because they want it, not at the say so of a journo, especially one with such a clear agenda.
Good luck on his 15 minutes of fame for this piece. It clearly got him noticed and I for one would read any follow up from him with interest, particularly if he actually gets any response from Italy!!
Oh and his a review on the new Mclaren, any guesses on how it may read???
Footnote for the haters/Mclaren members
No, I am not an out and out Ferrari fan, like the classics but not so much the moderns ones, would go for a Lambo if I had that kind of cash for a new car.
Ferrari's F1 team spoilt child cheat at all costs cos we're not winning attitude has always pissed me off - I'm still convinced that FIA stands for Ferrari International Assistance.
t reminds me of when another Fiat owned team, Alfa turned up at BTCC with the 155 and managed to bend all the rules just enough to f
k up the whole series forever!
Didn't stop me buying a 155 last week though did it!
Obviously I will never, ever now buy a Ferrari.*
* = Cos being lazy I will never, ever afford one
t reminds me of when another Fiat owned team, Alfa turned up at BTCC with the 155 and managed to bend all the rules just enough to f
k up the whole series forever!Didn't stop me buying a 155 last week though did it!
Obviously I will never, ever now buy a Ferrari.*
* = Cos being lazy I will never, ever afford one
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