Ferrari Dominates Top Gear With F80 And 296 Speciale
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London, 26 November 2025. Last night in London, Ferrari strode away from one of the motoring world’s most grandiose ceremonies with two of the best trophies on offer. The F80 was crowned Hypercar of the Year and the 296 Speciale picked up Supercar of the Year at the TG Awards 2026.
It is the sort of double that makes rivals sit up, dust themselves off and wonder how on earth they will respond. This latest triumph takes Ferrari’s haul at Top Gear to 21 awards in 23 years, and marks the marque’s eighth Supercar of the Year crown. Not bad for a company that likes to make things loud, clever and irresistible.
Praise from the show’s team focused on how both cars blend race-derived tech with everyday usability. A TopGear contributing editor said the F80 borrows knowledge from both Formula 1 and endurance racing to produce a car that is raw and energised yet very much usable. From the outside it might look composed, but inside it sings, snarls and screams in layers of mechanical joy.
Another senior TopGear writer described the 296 Speciale as a focused, track-capable version of a berlinetta that still behaves when you go to the shops afterwards. It was praised for widening the dynamic range so you can hammer it around a circuit and then enjoy a civilized drive home without wanting to lock it in the garage.
Ferrari’s chief product development officer accepted the awards on behalf of the Maranello team and noted that these honours recognise a squad of engineers who never seem to accept average. He called them a validation of ambitious technical goals and of cars built to thrill.
296 Speciale
The 296 Speciale is the hardcore evolution of the mid-engined 296 GTB and exists to be enjoyed at the limit. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain melds a 120-degree twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor for a combined output of 880 cv. The internal combustion engine has been lightened and reinforced with bits taken from top-level racing, while the eight-speed dual clutch gearbox has been tuned with Ferrari’s fast shift strategy to make the most of the electric torque and to sharpen gear changes.
Weight has been trimmed and aerodynamic downforce increased by 20 percent over the standard 296 GTB. The chassis is reworked for sharper response on a circuit and the new extra boost software provides full power for lap-focused bursts. Compact dimensions conceal radical solutions such as rear gamma wings, suspended splitters and an enlarged diffuser that all look like they belong at a race meet rather than a supermarket.
F80
The F80 is the latest halo from Maranello and a proper statement of intent. Built around a carbon-fibre chassis, its hybrid power unit delivers 1200 cv in total. Roughly 900 cv come from a three-litre V6 developed from the 499P Le Mans car, with a specific output nudging 300 cv per litre. The remaining 300 cv are supplied by an 800 V hybrid system that includes an electric front axle and a rear motor.
This car is stuffed with technology that trickled down from top-level motorsport. E-turbos reclaim wasted turbine rotation to generate power and effectively kill turbo lag. At speed it creates 1050 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, aided by an active rear wing that adjusts height and angle continuously. Active suspension uses components made with 3D metal additive manufacturing to sharpen handling, especially on circuits. A Boost Optimisation feature learns the track and dishes out extra power where it will trim lap times. The cockpit goes for a single-seat feel that still accommodates two people, a neat blend of theatre and practicality. Production is limited to 799 cars, with the run scheduled through to 2027 to coincide with the marque’s 80th anniversary.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
