Video: how to crash a Bugatti Veyron at 245mph

Now we live in an era in which supercars have topped 260 and 270mph – with 300mph being seriously whispered about in more than one arena in the industry – it’ easy to forget what a monumental leap in power and speed the original Bugatti Veyron was over a decade ago. The brief to deign a 400kph (248mph), 1,000bhp supercar was beyond the limit of road legal vehicle comprehension. So it was inevitable that there’d be one or two mishaps during testing.

And with that thought lingering, we’ll merely point you towards this video interview with legendary supercar test driver Loris Bichocci. Here, he recounts a little-known tale about what happens when a Bugatti Veyron prototype’s front left tyre lets go while lapping the Nardo test bowl at an estimated 245mph.

If you’re not fluent in Italian, remember to hit the subtitles button to read along as Loris talks. And leave space for your jaw to hit the floor.

What a story. What a car. And what a guy.