Much has been written about the Ferrari F80’s state-of-the-art powertrain, as derived from the triple Le Mans-winning 499P. But beyond the V6 hybrid’s extraordinary 1200 cv lies equally advanced technology that ensures its performance is harnessed on road and track – namely its suspension, braking and aerodynamics, which together illustrate just how advanced the F80’s underlying architecture has become.

Alfredo Scifo, Head of Chassis Engineering, describes his brief: “We had two main goals. The first was to push performance to the extreme. The second was to create the best possible architecture for this car. Configuring the F80, creating so much that was completely new, was a real challenge.”

That challenge is clear in the latest development of Ferrari’s active suspension system, first seen on the Purosangue. Re-engineered from the ground up, it introduces innovations including active inboard dampers, but the most striking development lies with the construction of the double wishbone architecture itself.

In a world first, the upper wishbones are produced using additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. Derived from Formula 1 processes, this technique uses lasers to melt and build metal components layer by layer, placing material – aluminium alloy in this case – only where it is needed. The result is both lighter and stronger.

The upper suspension arms also perform a dual role, acting as both wishbones and rockers for the inboard dampers. Developed entirely in-house, they deliver an overall weight saving of at least 4kg.

Active systems are fitted both front and rear, with the front featuring an Active Reverse Gurney flap. At the rear, an active wing rises by 200mm at speeds above 80 km/h and adjusts its angle by up to 11°, responding automatically to changes in acceleration, speed and steering angle. In its low downforce setting it reduces drag, while in high downforce mode it significantly increases rear stability during braking and cornering.

As System Component Development Manager Alessandro Calamita explains: “We had to work to very high requirements, not only in terms of downforce, but also wing travel, actuation speed and stiffness, working with very limited space in the car. We decided to create a system with two aluminium pylons that not only perform the movement, but also provide structural strength.”

Working seamlessly with the car’s control systems, the wing continuously adapts to speed, acceleration and steering input. This is the real art of the F80’s control systems – making them work not just in isolation, but in harmony with every facet of the F80’s dynamic repertoire, so that the driver experiences only a cohesive whole.

As Aldredo Scifo sums up: “Seeing how all these systems work together is truly remarkable. Every time I look at the F80, I am impressed by what the team has achieved.”