Fiat Selling Ferrari ??

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Can the following story really be true? If so, will they become another little orphan like AM?

"Fiat announced that they will sell Ferrari. From an F1 viewpoint, an independent Ferrari company can only afford to compete in F1 if they are winning. The Manufacturers Championship purse is huge. The winners share can finance the F1 racing program with some left over. A future independent Ferrari could not afford to race in F1 if they finish fourth, as they will this year. And some argue, with reason, that F1 without Ferrari has a huge problem."

[Prattking]

Probably not quite true as it seems that Ferrari get extra payments from F1 just for agreeing to be there because of the name.It seems a bit unfair on other teams but such is the power of the marques history.

[anonymous-user]

This was announced a week ago iirc. I thought Fiat were only unloading a small holding of around 10%.

Maybe I dreamt it!

[tonyhall38]

Don't own a farrari.....never will.....don't own a fiat.....am too fat.....so don't give a toss.....

[trashbat]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Jon39]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Can the following story really be true? If so, will they become another little orphan like AM?

I do not know the long-term financials for Ferrari, but recently it has been a profitable business.
Exciting limited production models, where they even choose their customers, is a wonderful situation for a car company.

If that strong demand can continue, and they are already limiting total production, then the Company can be independent.

As we all know, Aston Martin can now produce more than they can sell, and during 100 years, have very rarely reported a Pre-Tax Profit. If what we are told about current borrowings is correct, that must be a tricky matter when interest and repayment will need profits.

That I think is the difference, but I still prefer an 'understated' Aston Martin.

[Jon39]

Whilst we are talking about Ferrari, I was most surprised by how quick the 599 XX is. Presumably it is a road car, unless the XX perhaps means track only.

I recently watched a YouTube on-board video of a V12V at Spa-Francorchamps (search for Aston Martin track day V12 Vantage in-car Spa Francorchamps). It lapped quite quickly I thought, at just over 3 minutes.

Have now found another video (in-car Ferrari 599 Spa Francorchamps Part 1). Quite remarkable, with a lap time 30 seconds quicker than the V12V.

I must arrange to synchronize the starting positions of the two cars, and then watch the videos on two screens.

[whoami]

Jon39 said:

Whilst we are talking about Ferrari, I was most surprised by how quick the 599 XX is. Presumably it is a road car, unless the XX perhaps means track only.

Track only.