Ferrari F8 Tributo review

This is the area wherein Ferrari sometimes manages to steal defeat from the jaws of victory. Happily, the F8 Tributo feels beautifully well made, the driving position is fabulous, and although the actual look of the dashboard layout remains a little disharmonious, it all works much more effectively than in previous iterations.

The main display keeps the rev counter front and centre, with supplementary screens either side for engine and chassis info, and audio and sat nav. The latter was the one that could have frustrated the world’s finest minds, but either we’ve got used to it or it’s more intuitive. The new generation steering wheel is similarly easier to use now, the indicator buttons actually doing what they’re supposed to, and you are less likely to trigger the wipers when you want full beam. The air vents have been redesigned, and have aluminium or optional carbon fibre surrounds. A central bridge houses transmission controls, and looks great. There’s storage beneath it for your phone, but it took me fully 20 seconds to extricate mine and I haven’t exactly got sausage fingers.

One final point: anyone with feet larger than a size 10 might find the brake and throttle pedals a little too close together for comfort. You’ll need your finest hand-made Tod’s driving shoes to do your best work.