Steeped in history and secrecy, Ferrari’s legendary Fiorano test track has played a crucial role in their success both on and off the track.
The 3.0km track is synonymous with speed having been the proving ground for a lot of Ferrari’s road cars, but it is also where the team tests its race cars before they take to the track in public.
Fiorano was bought by Enzo Ferrari back in the 1960s because he wanted somewhere to test his cars without utilising public roads or the nearby Modena Autodrome.
In 1972, ground was broken and a figure of eight circuit was produced. This ended up being close to the workshops where F1 cars could be worked on and quickly sent out on track. The track is equipped with telemetry sensors and a skidpad for tyre testing.
Michael Schumacher famously spent hours after a Grand Prix pounding around the track back when testing was unrestricted in F1, although this has been reduced over the years since testing has become more regulated.
Now, Lewis Hamilton will take to the track for the first time in his first test with the team after making his first visit to Maranello.
Where is Fiorano
Fiorano Modenese is located in the province of Modena, which is the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. It is around 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Bologna and 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of Modena. The test track is located on the border with Maranello.
Getting to Fiorano with nearest airport
Fans can get to Fiorano by flying to Bologna airport, which is around 38.2km away from Fiorano Modenese. The train from Bologna to Fiorano Modenese then takes around three hours.
Can you drive around Fiorano?
While fans are not allowed to drive around the Fiorano test track as it is closed to the public, they can take tours around Maranello.
Who designed Fiorano?
Ugo Cavazzuti designed the figure-of-eight race track for Enzo Ferrari. It was designed to replicate some of the most challenging corners in F1 at the time, featuring a mix of left and right corners.
In the 1990s a chicane was added followed by a much faster bend at the end of the pit straight. In 2000, an irrigation system was installed that collects and stores rainwater, enabling them to generate wet driving conditions.
Who holds the lap record around Fiorano?
The fastest lap by a road car is held by the La Ferrari, which posted a 1:20s in 2015. The outright Fiorano record is held by Michael Schumacher, who posted a lap time that was just 55.999s in his F2004.
Charles Leclerc’s quickest time in the 2024 SF-24 stands at the third quickest at just 56.88s.
Enzo Ferrari’s house
Situated next to the test track is Enzo Ferrari’s old house. Until his death in 1988, Ferrari would watch his F1 cars within the old converted farmhouse. The building features a white facade with trademark red front door and red shutter timbers.
The surrounding buildings have changed over the years, ranging from garages to high-tech conference rooms. The streets leading to the house also bear the name of famous Ferrari drivers including Via Nuvolari, Ascari, Gilles Villeneuve, and linking to Piazza Michael Schumacher.
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