Perks of the job: Ferrari F1 driver gets custom Fiat 500

Posted Tue Jan 22 2008 2:30 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

F1 drivers are usually given a carmaker’s top performance model when they sign up to race under them, probably because anything else would be painstakingly slow in comparison to an F1 racer, so imagine the surprise when Ferrari’s Felipe Massa was handed the keys to a humble Fiat 500 minicar. Today at Monte Carlo, Massa took delivery of a Fiat 500 powered by an exclusive 120hp 1.4L engine and personalised with unique graphic details, such as his signature embossed in the sill scuff plate.

Other special features include the car’s brown leather trim, pearl white paint, Skydome electric sunroof and 16in diamond alloy wheels dressed with red brake callipers.

The car has been modified by Fiat Powertrain Racing, the carmarker’s division responsible for the design, research, development and production of performance engines, but we suspect it still might not be enough for F1 driver. Don’t worry, because Massa still has the keys to his Ferrari 599 but we can still imagine him getting up to some high-speed antics behind the wheel of his personalized Cinquecento.

Reader Comments

Tue Jan 22 2008 3:38 AM
MARK says

Wonder how long before the scum bags in china copy the fiat 500.
Really nice looking car.
Tue Jan 22 2008 5:35 AM
kukubird says

Pathetic........
Tue Jan 22 2008 9:47 AM
HECTOR says

Either the Cinquecento has gotten huge since I last saw one in person or this guy is descended from the Hobbits...
Tue Jan 22 2008 12:06 PM
chris says

hes an F1 driver,... hes the auto racing world's horse jockey. of course hes small.

and if you havent seen the 500 since it was made famous way back when, yeah, its got more leg room. check out top gears review of it. quite the stylish car. I'd almost get one if i could.
Tue Jan 22 2008 11:21 PM
NaBUru38 says

Hector, Felipinho is short indeed. Look for a podium ceremony video, most drivers are much taller than him.

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