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Ferrari Unveils First Fully-Electric Model ‘Luce’ Amid Industry-Wide EV Skepticism

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Ferrari stepped into a new automotive era on Monday with the unveiling of its first fully-electric car, the “Luce,” in Rome, betting it can captivate drivers without its signature combustion engine roar. The four-door model boasts a top speed of 310 kph (193 mph) and carries a hefty price tag of more than €500,000 ($586,000). Developed in collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive’s studio, LoveFrom, the Luce is described as a large, distinctive vehicle designed to define luxury electrification before its global and Chinese competitors can dominate the space.

The launch comes at a time when many of Ferrari’s sports car rivals are scaling back or scrapping their electric transition plans due to weak market demand. While Lamborghini abandoned its 2030 EV rollout and Ferrari itself delayed a second electric model until at least 2028, the company is positioning the Luce as a bold strategic statement rather than a mass volume seller. To maintain its iconic visceral appeal, Ferrari has integrated a specialized sound system into the Luce that amplifies powertrain vibrations to create an authentic, distinct electric Ferrari sound rather than a simulated petrol engine noise.

Under CEO Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari has heavily invested in electrification infrastructure, including a new “e-building” at its Maranello headquarters, with client deliveries for the Luce scheduled to begin in October. Facing heavy batteries and changing consumer habits, the automaker has scaled back its 2030 product lineup goal for fully electric cars from 40% down to 20%, choosing to continue producing hybrid and traditional internal combustion models alongside EVs. Ultimately, Ferrari hopes the Luce will appeal to a younger generation of wealthy buyers and tech-forward collectors, especially as high fuel prices driven by regional conflicts alter market dynamics.

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Hamilton Defends Focus After Ferrari Chairman’s Criticism

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Lewis Hamilton has pushed back against Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s remarks suggesting he and Charles Leclerc should “focus on driving and talk less” following the team’s double retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Hamilton said his commitment has never been in doubt, insisting he wakes up and goes to sleep thinking about racing. He added that the 2024 season has been the busiest of his career, with extensive time spent at the factory as he adapts to life at Ferrari.

Despite Elkann’s comments dominating the Las Vegas GP press conference, Hamilton stressed there was no personal issue, noting that they speak regularly and share the same passion for improving the team. The seven-time world champion acknowledged the steep learning curve in his first season in red, saying the team’s struggles have felt like “climbing a mountain” only to slip back each race weekend. Still, he remains confident that once Ferrari gets things right, the results will be “amazing.”

Hamilton, who sits sixth in the standings and has yet to score a podium this year, said the challenges have reinforced his resilience and strengthened his belief in the team’s long-term direction. He still feels the excitement of racing for Ferrari and understands that transforming such a massive organisation takes time. Team-mate Leclerc added that Elkann had informed him in advance about the intended message, framing it as motivation for improvement rather than criticism.

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Charles Leclerc: Ferrari driver asks fans to stop gathering outside his home

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Charles Leclerc has requested admirers to quit obtruding themselves outside of his flat in Monaco and to respect his privacy.

The 25-year-old claimed that after his address recently became known, supporters gathered outside to ring the doorbell. In public spaces or at the track, the Ferrari driver said he would still say hello to supporters, but gathering inside his home is “a barrier that should not be crossed.”

When Leclerc took a selfie with two individuals sporting scooter helmets in Italy last year, his watch was stolen. The theft that occurred in the beach resort of Viareggio last April was reported as a result of four persons being arrested, according to Italian police last week.

“For the past few months, my home address has somehow become public, leading to people gathering beneath my apartment, ringing my bell, and asking for pictures and autographs,” Leclerc wrote on his Instagram stories.

“While I’m always happy to be there for you and I truly appreciate your support, please respect my privacy and refrain from coming to my house.

“I’ll make sure to stop for everyone when you see me on the streets or at the track, but I won’t be coming downstairs if you visit my home.

“Your support, both in person and on social media, means the world to me, but there is a boundary that should not be crossed.”Leclerc has had a challenging start to the 2023 Formula 1 season, finishing 10th in the driver standings after being forced to retire from two of the first three races.

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Formula 1: Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto to leave at end of year

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At the end of the year, Mattia Binotto will step down from his role as Ferrari team principal. The 53-year-old resigned from his position, according to a statement released by Ferrari on Tuesday, adding the search for a replacement was “underway”.

Since 1995, Binotto has been a member of the Ferrari team. He recently announced his decision to leave the company with regret. As difficult as it has been for me to make this decision, it is right to move forward.

Binotto rose through the ranks of the organisation, first overseeing the engine division, then serving as the technical director for the entire F1 team, and then becoming the helm. He leaves at the end of a season in which Ferrari achieved their goals of returning to winning races, but which was marked by a series of reliability failures and operational errors.

Binotto said: “I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the conviction that I have made every effort to achieve the objectives set.

“I depart from a solid and expanding team. I wish a strong team all the best in the future as they work together to accomplish the highest goals.”

Binotto was praised and given good wishes by Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna, who also said that because of his efforts, the team was “in a strong position to relaunch our challenge, above all for our amazing fans across the world, to win the ultimate reward in motorsport.”

Binotto’s successor is expected to be Frederic Vasseur, team principal of Alfa Romeo.

In an effort to eliminate the climate of fear that many people say prevents creativity and courageous actions at the team, Binotto strove to build a no-blame culture at Ferrari.

Ferrari was worried, though, because despite this, there didn’t seem to be any progress being made in resolving the team’s fundamental issues.

The goal of a no-blame culture is to foster an atmosphere of accountability and trust where problems may be recognised, comprehended, and resolved without anyone concerned about losing their job. Despite the numerous mistakes, however, not much seemed to change at Ferrari this year.

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Rare 1980’s Ferrari worth millions stolen on test drive

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A Classic vintage Ferrari worth €2m (£1.7m; $2.2m) was stolen when a man used it for a test drive. Police in the German city of Dusseldorf said that the suspect had expressed interest in buying a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO.

The suspect and the seller of the stolen car went on a test drive, during which the seller got out of the car to swap places with the man. It is reported that he man got into the driver’s seat, hit the gas pedal and sped off. The stolen car was later found in a garage.

Police said that this was a “historic vehicle” with 43,000 km on the clock and should be valued at more than €2m. The car once belonged to former Northern Ireland Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine, says a listing for the car on the dealer’s website. This Ferrari had been raced by him between 1996 and 1999.

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