After winning the 2016 Formula 1 title with Mercedes, Nico Rosberg retired from the world of racing and began focusing on other projects such as fully electric cars.
Yet, if your goal is to have loads of fun on the track, your best bet is to do that in something that has an internal combustion engine, at least for the time being. And yes, Rosberg had tons of fun driving the Ferrari 488 Pista at Circuit Paul Ricard in France.
Aside from the huge smile it brought to his face, the 488 Pista also impressed the former F1 champ with just how balanced, agile and potent it was. He was also thrilled with the blisteringly fast up-shifts, and stated that the car’s twin turbo 3.9-liter V8 unit is the best engine he’s ever sampled in a road car, which is indeed high praise.
Also watch: New Ferrari 488 Pista Too Friendly For Its Own Good? Chris Harris Investigates
So then what makes this Ferrari so special? For starters, it’s that twin turbo V8 engine we just mentioned. It produces 711 HP (720 PS) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque, allowing you to rocket to 62 mph (100 km/h) in an incredible 2.85 seconds. Meanwhile, 0-124 mph (200 km/h) takes place in 7.6 seconds, and top speed is rated at more than 211 mph (340 km/h).
Then there’s the new bodywork which now produces 20% more downforce thanks to features such as the S-duct at the front, the larger rear wing, side air ducts and chunkier rear diffuser. Also, the 488 Pista weighs 198 lbs (90 kg) less than the regular 488 GTB – as long as you opt for the carbon fiber wheels that is.