Most car companies will find practically any excuse to create a special edition, and this even applies to some of the most desirable carmakers like Ferrari. The bespoke 599 GTB you see here celebrates 60 years of victories in F1, dating back to when Froilan Gonzalez gave the Scuderia outfit its first-ever victory at the British GP on 14 July 1951.
Based on the 599 GTB with Ferrari's HGTE handling package, and named to avoid any possible confusion, the '60 Years of Victories in Formula 1' package adds some bespoke exterior and interior detailing.
Detailing, colours and materials were inspired by Gonzalez's and Alonso's cars, and buyers will have a choice between three different liveries for the exterior:
-375 F1 Livery: The same red as clothed Froilan Gonzalez's 375 F1 is used. This is a historic red used by the Scuderia for its very first Formula 1 cars. Its darker pastel tone gives the car a compact and sporty look.
-Ferrari 150° Italia Livery: this car has the Scuderia 2011 red livery used for Fernando Alonso's Ferrari 150° Italia. The exterior also features Formula 1 white on the lower part of the front bumpers and mudguards, bonnet, A-posts and buttresses. The tricolour featured on the spoiler of the F150 is also represented on the rear.
-Ferrari 150° Italia 2 Livery: the car is painted in the Scuderia 2011 red used on Fernando Alonso's Ferrari 150° Italia. In this version, however, white is used only on the lower part of the bumpers and there is no tricolour at the rear.
On all versions, however, the Scuderia Ferrari shield on the front wheel arches is painted as per competition cars, the aluminium fuel cap is finished in satin and 20-inch diamond-forged alloy wheels are fitted.
The cabin takes its inspiration from iconic details of both Alonso and Gonzalez's cars. The result, according to Ferrari, is very much a track car look with dark shades predominating. There are, however, touches of strong, contrasting colour, such as in the seatbelts and on the dashboard. The seats are by Sabelt in the European version and Recaro in the American version. They feature an innovative technical material known as Superfabric which provides superb grip and has been used in the areas of greatest contact with the driver's body. This is similar to Formula 1 and makes for optimal grip, particularly in extreme driving situations.
The seats are upholstered in black Alcantara and the Scuderia Ferrari logo is stitched onto the headrests.
The four-point safety harnesses underscore the racing set-up and are in the Red and Blue specified by FIA for the 2010-2011 Formula 1 Championship. For all those markets where four-point safety harnesses cannot be homologated, three points red safety harnesses are offered.
Aluminium was used in Gonzalez's car and this fact inspired a high tech, innovative modern reworking that sees Alutex trim on the dashboard. Alutex is an innovative material made of metallic fibres and fibreglass. It is both extremely tough and light. The Alutex has been given a matt finish that highlights its texture whilst preventing any glare issues.
The cabin is also trimmed in lightweight, technical materials: black Alcantara and technical fabrics.
Finally, the dashboard will also sport a special silver plaque commemorating 60 years of Ferrari victories in Formula 1 and featuring the signatures of Froilan Gonzalez and Fernando Alonso.