Ferrari Mailing List: THE PERFECT CAR by John Barnard

[Michel Savard (mysavard]

After just finishing the great book on Enzo Ferrari by Luca Dal Monte, I am now 
reading John Barnard’s THE PERFECT CAR.
Just finished reading some pages upon his arrival at Ferrari Formula 1 team 
(1987) after winning 3 Championships at McLaren.

He was astonished to see Ferrari mechanics having big lunches with pasta and 
wine between saturday practice and qualifications.
Piccinini’s Ferrari asked what was the lunch at McLaren ? Sandwiches, coffee 
and a ten-minute break. Needless to say, the mechanics were mad at him when he 
changed everything.

If Fiat workers were on strike, then Ferrari mechanics were on strike. Unless 
you were non-italian at Ferrari.

He had been given a  Mondial. In an interview, he said “It’s incredible that 
you can get ABS (anti-lock braking)on a Fiat Croma and not on a new Ferrari”.

Then he added that the "Mercedes 560SEC was the best car in the world”. But 
“the Mondial was a nightmare, with its heavy gearbox and crap steering and it 
had tiny rear seats”

Enzo saw that article and wrote to Barnard, “I trust that your views have been 
improperly represented by the journalist, as I believe you will certainly 
confirm to me, and that this episode will encourage more cautiousness in the 
future”.

For those interested ISBN 978-1-910505-27-4 590 pages.

Michael Savard (1981 308 GTSi)