Ferrari 812 Competizione review

The 812 Comp’s cabin is very similar to an 812 Superfast but there have been a few tweaks to bring some aspects in line with the SF90 Stradale. Most notably, the plasticky and slightly chintzy open-gate-style gear selector thing - some fiddly and not very well resolved switches. Thankfully, the Comp doesn't have the SF90’s problematic touch sensitive steering wheel and digital screens. There’s still lots of analogue around, including a proper red button to wake that amazing engine up.

It’s a cabin that feels incredibly and wonderfully driver-focused with the main focal point being a whacking great rev counter with an actual needle that runs around to a 9,500rpm red line. In an era of central screens dominating interiors, the 812 is incredibly minimalist as there’s no central infotainment at all. Instead, all those functions are locked away in the twin screens that flank the rev counter. And just like the 812, there’s no digital passenger display from the GTC4Lusso and Portofino. The numbers this thing produces would just scare them anyway.

One thing to bear in mind is seat choice. There are four available; standard racing seats (finished in the same material and pattern as race suits), carbon racing seats (£2,592), Daytona racing seats (£2,592) or a monocoque carbon fibre race seat (£7,200). The car generates so much downforce and grip that you need a bucket that’ll hold you in, otherwise you'll fall out of it in high-speed corners. Ferrari is more than happy to size you up and upsell you to the monocoque which does offer fantastic support.

On a note of practicality, it has the same boot space as a standard 812.