2010 Ferrari on 2040-cars

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Petrolicious documents the motorsport-changing Ferrari 512M

Petrolicious has had plenty of beautiful cars and big-time personalities in its videos, but today's interview is sees one of the series' most well known subjects - US Formula 1 commentator David Hobbs.
Hobbs is an accomplished racer, capturing a number of podiums and a pair of class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in addition to short stints in F1 and at the Indianapolis 500. One of his Le Mans runs was behind the wheel of this, the Ferrari 512M, a car that's notable for two things - running a 1971 season that included the 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring and Watkins Glen 6 Hour races. The other thing it's known for? Failing to win a single one of those enduros.
Still, the Ferrari 512 is one of the Italian marques most iconic 1970s racers and Hobbs' example is a proud member of that breed, delivering a delicious 5.0-liter V12 exhaust note that makes this an easy video to sit through.

Ferrari vetoes F1 engine supply cost cap

The costs associated with competing in Formula One are enormous. In addressing the problem, the FIA has proposed a number of measures aimed at reducing those expenses. But while most of the teams are apparently on board, one key player has exercised its veto to defeat the initiative. The issue came up at a recent meeting of the Formula One Strategy Group, where the participating parties discussed implementing a global cost ceiling, amending the regulations in order to drive down costs, and increasing the standardization of common parts. However one of the most concrete steps would have seen the FIA institute a maximum price which engine suppliers could charge independent teams for their power units. The issue was put to a vote, which the FIA reports passed with a "large majority." But Ferrari vetoed the measure, exercising the right accorded to it under the governing regulations – a step which the FIA will not contest. With its cost-cap measure defeated, the governing body has confirmed its intent to move ahead with proposals to bring in an outside engine supplier that will provide motivation to independent teams at a lower cost. As we recently reported, the price associated with securing power units from suppliers like Mercedes, Renault, and Ferrari, typically costs teams as much as $30 million per season – a solid two or three times what they cost in the previous V8 era. One of the leading contenders at this early stage to supply those low-cost power units is Cosworth. The British firm has long participated in the championship as an engine supplier, stepping back from the sport only recently. However other companies could enter a bid for the contract as well. A French outfit called PURE run by former BAR-Honda team principal Craig Pollock began development of an engine package back in 2011. BMW and Toyota both supplied V8 engines until a few years ago, while independent outfits like Mecachrome, Mugen, and TAG have also prepared F1 power units based on engines developed by major manufacturers. 26.10.15 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - COST REDUCTION The FIA has studied cost reduction measures for teams participating in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship which were not conclusive, including: - a global cost ceiling, - a reduction in costs via technical and sporting regulations, - an increased standardisation for parts.

Hot Wheels loses Ferrari diecast contract to Chinese company

If you're anything like this writer, chances are you've got a diecast model or two kicking around the house. And if one of those models replicates a Ferrari, chances are it's made by Hot Wheels. The Mattel brand secured an exclusive contract from the Maranello automaker in the late 1990s, but the latest word from Hemmings has it that Ferrari has ended its partnership with Hot Wheels and awarded it instead to the May Cheong Group. Unless you're an avid diecast collector, you may not have heard of May Cheong, but you may have heard of its brands Maisto and Bburago. Both brands are longtime players in the model car market, but it's the Bburago part of the deal that's particularly interesting. Founded in Italy, Bburago made a name for itself largely due to the scale Ferrari models it made back in the day. But when the Prancing Horse marque awarded the exclusive contract to Mattel, and with increasing competition from the Far East, Bburago collapsed. May Cheong swept in and scooped it up, and now the Italian model brand, along with its onetime rival Maisto, will be producing diecast Ferraris once again. Whether Bburago will use any of its old tooling to resume production of Ferrari scale models or start from scratch with all-new equipment remains to be seen, as does the matter of whether either it or Maisto will be able to produce the same quality of models as Hot Wheels has with some of its higher-end offerings. Like most collectors, this writer's looking forward to finding out. Looks like it's time to buy another display case.