The first shake-down has been held at Fiorano of a very special one-off, the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta, built for an American client. The car, the second in a new Special Projects programme created by Ferrari to meet requests from the most discerning clients and collectors to create truly unique models, is based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and was inspired by a Carrozzeria Fantuzzi-designed Ferrari built specifically for the 1968 Fellini film, Toby Dammit, itself inspired by one of the tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

While it’s true that every Ferrari is innovative by definition, it’s equally true that in the course of the Prancing Horse’s history, certain cars have marked a genuine departure from the current range. This is very much the case with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a massive leap forward from the company’s previous mid-rear engined sports cars.

The new model is a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology, characteristics for which Italy as a nation is well-known. For this reason Ferrari chose to add the name of its homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.

Michael Schumacher admits his decision to agree to make a Formula One comeback earlier this year was based on emotion rather than rationale.

Ferrari have confirmed the much-rumoured signing of Giancarlo Fisichella as Felipe Massa’s replacement until the end of the season. With Massa out of action and test driver Luca Badoer failing to make the grade, rumours at the Belgian GP suggested that Fisichella could fulfill a boyhood dream by racing for Ferrari at the Italian GP.

Michael Schumacher has called off his Formula One comeback, citing a failure to recover from a longstanding neck injury.