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1,036 BHP And A Reborn Testarossa, Ferrari Turns The Dial
To my fellow car lovers,
1,036. 12.86. 1:33.739. Three numbers that look like trivia until you realize they are the new checkpoints: usable power, human controls, and lap time that does not care about hype.
This week is Ferrari turning complexity into confidence, the Luce putting the cockpit first, and Bahrain reminding everyone that the new era starts with clean data, not vibes.
Feature Story
INSIDE THE COCKPIT
Ferrari’s 849 Testarossa isn’t here to be a louder SF90—it’s here to be a better conversation with the driver. Autocar’s review (Feb 2, 2026) frames it as a genuine course correction: the same hybrid-hypercar idea, but tuned for more involvement and less of that “clinical perfection” that can leave you admiring the spec sheet more than the steering wheel.
And yes, the numbers are absurd: 1,036bhp, a sub-2.3s 0–62mph claim, and 205mph on top. But the more interesting signal is the intent—this is a PHEV that isn’t trying to perform “green.” The electric side exists to sharpen the performance window and make the whole car feel complex without ever feeling complicated.
YOUR SUPERCAR SHORTLIST
🏎️ Aston Martin’s Vantage S is a masterclass in “small tweaks, big feel”
When the spec sheet barely moves, you find out if the car has a real point of view.
Car and Driver’s look (Feb 9, 2026) makes the Luce feel like Ferrari’s attempt to prove an EV can still be “driver-first”—not by adding more screens, but by shaping how you interact with the car. The key detail is the design philosophy: fewer layers, more immediate inputs, and materials that feel intentional instead of disposable.
Key Takeaways:
Ferrari’s first EV is now being framed through the cabin experience first — interface is the headline.
The interior leans into physical controls instead of burying everything in menus.
Materials and layout are being used to signal “Ferrari,” even without an engine note.
It’s an EV story, but the thesis is still driver engagement — just translated into a new medium.
🏎️ Bahrain testing’s first real tell: pace is nice, but “clean running” is the flex
New rules don’t just rewrite cars—they rewrite what “good” looks like in February.
Formula1.com’s morning report (Feb 18, 2026) reads like a reminder that this reset is earned in hours, not headlines: Leclerc put Ferrari on top ahead of Norris and Antonelli, while the pit lane looked like a rolling science project—rakes out, programs split, teams chasing correlation more than glory runs. The vibe isn’t “who’s fastest,” it’s “who’s stable”—and who’s already learning faster than everyone else.
Key Takeaways:
Leclerc set the morning pace at 1:33.739, with Norris and Antonelli close behind.
Aero rakes and heavy instrumentation are a tell: teams are prioritizing data quality over drama.
Most squads are splitting the day between drivers; every lap is about building a usable baseline.
Early gremlins still matter — sensor delays and lost track time can quietly derail a day’s program.
EXOTIC CARS OF THE WEEK
Ferrari 849 Testarossa
A hybrid hypercar reboot that chases engagement as hard as it chases numbers.
🔗 Official model page
Ferrari Luce
Ferrari’s first EV, introduced through a cockpit designed to make touch feel timeless.
🔗 Official model page
Ferrari SF-26
A new-rules single-seater chasing early stability—and early statements—at Bahrain.
🔗 Official model page
McLaren MCL40
The champions roll into 2026 carrying tradition—and building for smaller, lighter rules.
🔗 Official model page
QUICK POLL
If you had to pick ONE “next-era” advantage, what are you taking?
NOTES FROM THE GRID
Here is the thread: performance is shifting from spectacle to trust.
The 849 aims for involvement, the Luce bets on tactility, and Bahrain proves stability is a weapon. Speed is still the product, but confidence is the delivery system.
Until next time,
P.S. Interested in sponsoring a future issue? Just reply to this email, and I’ll send packages!