Ferrari F80 review

‘Cosy’ is the word. Taking every measure to feed the underfloor with clean air to exploit and energise into downforce means a ‘high feet’ driving position, narrow cabin and asymmetric seating that sets the passenger slightly further back in a fixed seat. Even so, this is the height of luxury compared to a Valkyrie and there’s a huge range of adjustment for the driver, too.

Joy of joys, Ferrari has also reinstated the humble button. Much of the capacitive nonsense that has blighted recent models is gone and the fantastically tactile steering wheel now features physical buttons. This makes us very happy.

Not as happy as the overwhelming sense that the F80 is a car intended for pure driving thrills. There’s no decoration in here. It’s finished to a high standard but there’s no conceit or absurdly intricate materials and design. It’s simple, clean, intuitive and restrained. If you’ve ever seen or sat in a F50, you’ll recognise the same philosophy. Namely, get in, strap yourself down and get ready to go to work.

Oh yeah, the fixed harnesses are a massive pain on the road and Ferrari still doesn’t appear to offer both harnesses and conventional seat belts alongside each other, Porsche-style.