The History of Finali Mondiali: The Events of 2024 The Finali Mondiali is Ferrari’s annual end-of-season event that celebrates the Prancing Horse’s motorsport heritage and passion for racing. Starting in 1993, this prestigious event was created to crown the world champions of the Ferrari Challenge series. However, it has since evolved into a multi-day festival that includes exhibitions, parades, and on-track spectacles. The event gathers fans, drivers, and legendary cars from Ferrari’s racing divisions, including F1 Clienti, Corse Clienti, and the XX Programme. Hosted at iconic tracks like Mugello, Monza, and Imola, the Finali Mondiali has become the ultimate showcase of Ferrari’s legacy and commitment to motorsport excellence. Imola was the venue of choice for the 2024 Finali Mondiali, almost two years after its last edition. Despite the dismal weather this year, over 33,000 fans braved it to witness a legendary spectacle. Bence Valint, racing for Ferrari Budapest - Rosso Corsa, secured the Trofeo Pirelli title in a fiercely contested race, while James Owen won the Trofeo Pirelli Am title. Henry Hassid of Kessel Racing added the world title to his European crown, while Eric Cheung claimed the Coppa Shell Am title. The Trofeo Pirelli 488 saw young Qwin Wietlisbach take the championship, marking the end of the 488 Challenge Evo era. Following this was a parade of legendary Ferrari race cars, most notably the victorious 499Ps from the FIA World Endurance Championship. Appropriate, given the true star of this show, is heavily based on these champions. Further Details about the F80 The Ferrari F80 has been the talk of the media over the last week. This fifth model of Ferrari’s most elite line-up has wowed the world for many factors. Ferrari claims this 1200 horsepower, twin-turbo hybrid monster will go from 0-62mph in an eye-wobbling 2.1 seconds and its top speed has been limited to 217mph. This is also the first of Ferrari’s elite to be all-wheel drive and feature an active rear that adjusts depending on the speed. And despite having a more traditional hybrid setup than the KERS system on a LaFerrari, this $4 million rocket ship still can’t be switched into a full EV mode. However, its time at Imola has revealed quite a fair bit more. For starters, there were two F80s at Imola, one in the signature Ferrari Giallo, which believe it or not is Ferrari’s oldest Livery. Enzo actually used yellow as the Background for the Cavalino as they were the signature colours of Modena. However, it was the red car that powered around Imola that gave us more insight into the F80. The F80 uses the same 2.9L twin-turbo V6 used in both the 296 and 499P Le Mans Racer. The soundtrack is that familiar subtle roar that first hit our ears with the 296. Whilst it is a pleasant noise, it greatly lacks that occasion and soul that the screaming, wailing V12s of the previous three elite Ferraris utilized did in spades. Judging by the way it carved through the wet track with little drama, also informed that the car most certainly utilizes an All-Wheel Drive system. However, the occasional flick of the tail through some of the slower corners, makes it clear that more power is sent to the rear than the front. Finally, it was clear the car was in its most hardcore setting, Qualify. Its rear wing was fully up throughout, even adjusting itself at different parts of the track. Its body was slammed down for maximum attack and there’s no denying in these conditions it would eat the McLaren W1 for breakfast. Given that Imola has been the hub for many iconic battles between these two legendary F1-based manufacturers, it would only make sense that this be the location should these two monsters ever go head to head. Fingers crossed they do. Let’s just hope it isn’t raining, because then the Prancing Horse will destroy the weapon from Woking. Source: Varryx and Raw Car Sounds YouTube channel
