First event held outside of Europe

"Finali Mondiali" is the name of a program that can be considered the culmination of individual racing events held worldwide throughout the year, such as the "Ferrari Racing Days" held in Japan last year. A literal translation would be something like "Final World Championship." The Finali Mondiali is Ferrari's global final event that concludes its year.

Previously, the event was held at European circuits like Mugello and Monza in Italy, and Valencia in Spain. This time, however, it moved beyond Europe for the first time, with the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, serving as the venue, still buzzing with the excitement of the F1 finale.

Unlike other sports car manufacturers, Ferrari is one of the few that not only sells vehicles but also offers the enjoyment of driving them. However, its programs go far beyond those of other premium sports car brands like Porsche and Lamborghini. While others typically limit themselves to customer track days and one-make races using production cars, Ferrari develops and implements a wide array of customer programs, unmatched in scale by its competitors.

One of these is a one-make race for customers, using a dedicated racing machine called the Ferrari "458 Evo." Annual series races are held in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Participants are amateur drivers, often referred to as gentlemen drivers. Despite this, the competition is fierce, with intense battles unfolding side-by-side at speeds rivaling those of professional racers. Witnessing these races firsthand reveals the exceptionally high level of competition.

The second is the XX Program, an experiential program using circuit-only machines. This involves customers using dedicated cars like the "FXX" and "599XX" to participate in the development of new models as Ferrari test drivers. While owners typically drive their FXX or 599XX at Ferrari-hosted circuit events like Ferrari Racing Days, it is also possible for owners to individually reserve a circuit and engage in the XX Program if they wish.

The moment you can become a Ferrari F1 pilot

In both cases, a specialized support team from Ferrari's Corse Clienti department in Italy (or authorized service staff from each country) is dispatched, performing work comparable to that of an F1 pit crew. The FXX and 599XX are equipped with telemetry systems, and their driving data is managed by Ferrari's development department. The key point is that the data collected from each drive is utilized in the development of road cars.

The third is F1 Clienti. Ferrari sells genuine F1 machines, used in the pinnacle of motorsport, the F1 Grand Prix, to its customers. Naturally, these are not available to just anyone; they are offered only to a select group of elite customers, and the price is said to be an order of magnitude higher than that of production cars.

Owners are free to either display their purchased F1 machines as collectibles in their garages or to drive them. However, it goes without saying that driving them requires a suitable venue and considerable preparation. As you know, these are not vehicles that start with the turn of a key like a production car.

For customers who purchase these F1 machines, Ferrari provides dedicated track sessions for F1 cars during events like the aforementioned Ferrari Racing Days. For the customers, being able to drive their purchased F1 machine under the complete support of Ferrari, just like a top F1 pilot, is an unparalleled joy. The ability to become an F1 pilot, if one has the financial means and motivation to purchase an F1 car, is a privilege exclusive to Ferrari owners.

While other F1 teams also sell used F1 machines, and there are likely many wealthy individuals worldwide who own F1 cars, there are no cases where the constructor itself supports their operation and provides a venue. Ferrari is the only manufacturer that has programmatized this as part of its customer service and offers it globally.

The venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi

The Ferrari Challenge races, the XX Program, and F1 Clienti are held individually in each country that hosts Ferrari Racing Days. The Finali Mondiali, however, is the culmination of these events. It is a festival for Ferrari and its owners, by Ferrari, befitting the end of the year when Ferrari owners gather from all over the world. For the 2015 season, circuit events featuring F1 Clienti and the XX Program are scheduled to be held at seven circuits worldwide, including Mugello and Fuji Speedway.

The Ferrari Finali Mondiali, held from December 3rd to 6th, took place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The circuit, still echoing with the excitement of the F1 Grand Prix finale held just two weeks prior, was completely immersed in Ferrari, drawing a large crowd of Ferrari owners and enthusiasts from around the world.

To coincide with this event, Ferrari presented the world premiere of its new XX Program machine, the "FXX K", and also delivered the first of the six limited-edition special models, the Ferrari "Sergio." The FXX K is the successor to the 599XX and is based on Ferrari's first hybrid model, the "La Ferrari". As previously reported, the "K" in its name refers to the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) found in F1 cars. As a circuit-only car, its system's maximum output has been increased to 772 kW (1050 CV) with a maximum torque of 900 Nm (91.8 kgm).

The Sergio, on the other hand, is the production version of the concept car unveiled by Pininfarina at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina, it is a barchetta model based on the Ferrari "458 Speciale A". The first unit was delivered to the SBH Royal Auto Gallery museum in Abu Dhabi, and the Finali Mondiali served as the venue for its handover ceremony.

FXX K also performs demonstration runs

The first day, December 3rd, featured track sessions for the XX Program and F1 Clienti, as well as testing for the Ferrari Challenge. On December 4th and 5th, qualifying and final races for the Ferrari Challenge in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America were held, interspersed with track sessions for the XX Program and F1 Clienti.

The final day, December 6th, hosted the ultimate showdown of the Ferrari Challenge, featuring the top drivers from each region. This was, quite literally, the pinnacle battle of the Ferrari Challenge. The races were divided into three categories: Coppa Shell, Trofeo Pirelli Pro (Professional), and Trofeo Pirelli Am (Amateur), each showcasing intense and serious competition. The two-round battles concluded with the Coppa Shell title going to Massimiliano Bianchi, the Trofeo Pirelli Pro title to Max Blancardi, and the Trofeo Pirelli Am title to Riccardo Perez.

In the evening, a parade run was held featuring approximately 200 Ferrari owners who had gathered from around the world for this event. The sight of so many Ferraris filling the Grand Prix circuit was truly breathtaking. While customers from around the globe were present, the majority were local Ferrari owners. Unlike events in Japan where one might see a mix of old and new Ferraris, most participating cars were the latest models, a regional characteristic that was particularly striking.

Furthermore, two GT cars driven by AF Corse's WEC (World Endurance Championship) champions, Gimmi Bruni and Toni Vilander, performed demonstration runs. In the latter half, teammates Davide Rigon and James Calado joined them, putting on a pit stop show that simulated real endurance race conditions, much to the delight of the spectators.

Following this, the XX Program featured track sessions for the FXX and 599XX, as well as the world premiere of the newly announced FXX K. Driven by Ferrari's top test driver, Raffaele De Simone, it was not just displayed in the paddock but also publicly driven for the first time, showcasing the exclusive world of the XX Program.

The event concluded with demonstration runs by two current F1 machines, the "F60," driven by Scuderia Ferrari drivers Kimi Räikkönen and test driver Marc Gené. The runs included start sequences, driving at racing speeds, simulated side-by-side battles, and a pit stop show.

The exhilarating F1 sound reverberated throughout the circuit. The finale, as expected, featured burnout performances by both drivers. On the straight in front of the main grandstand, the F1 cars were enveloped in tire smoke, sending the crowd into a frenzy.