When we talk about production car records, it usually involves a certain German circuit, but this time it involves an American circuit: the Ferrari SF90 Stradale went on to be the fastest production car at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Indianapolis circuit is one of the oldest and most famous in the world, mainly in its oval configuration (4 km long), being famous, above all, for being the scene of the historic 500 miles (800 km) of Indianapolis (Indy 500) .
However, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has, since 2000, a conventional circuit “designed” inside the oval (but taking advantage of part of it), and which marked the return of Formula 1 to the USA. It is precisely on the Indianapolis “road course” that the SF90 Stradale conquered the record.
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale was able to complete one lap in just 1min29,625s , reaching a top speed of 280.9 km/h. The record was set last July 15th, during the Ferrari Racing Days event that took place on the circuit.
Unlike what happens, for example, on the Nürburgring circuit, records of record attempts in Indianapolis are scarce — in the US, it's the time per lap on the Laguna Seca circuit that everyone tries to beat — but in 2015, a Porsche 918 Spyder (also a hybrid), set a time of 1min34.4s.
Assetto Fiorano
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is the most powerful production model ever made at Maranello's house — 1000 hp maximum power — surpassing even one of its coveted older brothers, the Ferrari LaFerrari, a V12-equipped car, “slightly ” bigger than the engine that powers the SF90.
In the SF90 Stradale, behind the driver, is a 4.0l twin-turbo V8, delivering 780hp at 7500rpm and 800Nm of torque at 6000rpm. But… and where are the 1000 hp? Leading it to the 1000 hp barrier are three electric motors, which also make this model the first plug-in hybrid Ferrari in the history of the “horse” brand. Two electric motors (one per wheel) are located on the front axle, with the third on the rear axle, between the engine and the gearbox.
That said, it's easy to see that all the power generated is being sent to all four wheels, via a dual-clutch box, which only serves the rear axle. As with other electrified vehicles, there is no physical connection between the two drive axles.
Note that this Ferrari SF90 Stradale came equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. Compared to a regular SF90 Stradale, this package includes significant performance enhancements like the Multimatic shock absorbers derived from the GT championships or the use of lighter materials like carbon fiber (door panels, car floor) and titanium (exhaust , springs), causing the total mass to drop by 30 kg.
Still part of the Assetto Fiorano package and sticking this supercar even further to the asphalt, it was also equipped with the optional and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, as well as a carbon fiber spoiler, responsible for generating 390 more kg of downforce at 250 km/h.