Ferrari has had its share of drivers who knew their way around a snowy rally course.
Gilles Villeneuve, for example, was famous for the drifting techniques he picked up racing snowmobiles in his native Quebec. And
Kimi Raikkonen, for another, left the Scuderia for the
World Rally Championship where he exercised his Finnish roots. Thing is, both of these top drivers were gone from the
Ferrari roster long before the company introduced the
FF as its first all-wheel-drive car.
That's where Markku Alen comes in. The former World Rally Champion took the FF up to the Arjeplog track in the north of his native Sweden, just an hour's drive south of the Arctic Circle, to stretch it out in the snow. Fortunately, he also brought a film crew along. While Ferrari's shot footage of the FF playing in the snow before, none of it came out quite as majestic as this clip. Follow the jump to check it out.
That's where Markku Alen comes in. The former World Rally Champion took the FF up to the Arjeplog track in the north of his native Sweden, just an hour's drive south of the Arctic Circle, to stretch it out in the snow. Fortunately, he also brought a film crew along. While Ferrari's shot footage of the FF playing in the snow before, none of it came out quite as majestic as this clip. Follow the jump to check it out.
Markku Alen tests the FF on a snow-covered forest stage
Maranello, 2 February 2012 – What happens when a former World Rally Champion gets behind the wheel of an FF for a challenge on a forest track completely covered in snow? This exceptional event was captured on camera of Ferrari.com, who followed this very special day for Markku Alen on the Arjeplog track, in Northern Sweden, about 100 km South of the Artic Circle. The track is probably the most challenging surface for Ferrari's latest 12-cylinder which features an innovative 4RM four-wheel drive system that has fascinated the international press and clients, and was highly praised by Markku, the Finnish ice track specialist and winner of the World Rally Championship in 1978.
At temperatures between -15° and -30° Celsius on the steep inclines and challenging corners of the 14km "Forest" track, Markku Alen was able to test the FF to extremes, particularly the car's traction on surfaces with extremely low grip. Thanks to the perfect weight distribution and the car's mechanical set up, the FF again demonstrated its safety, stability and performance, with Markku commenting that the FF is especially enjoyable to drive, even for a former World Champion.
Maranello, 2 February 2012 – What happens when a former World Rally Champion gets behind the wheel of an FF for a challenge on a forest track completely covered in snow? This exceptional event was captured on camera of Ferrari.com, who followed this very special day for Markku Alen on the Arjeplog track, in Northern Sweden, about 100 km South of the Artic Circle. The track is probably the most challenging surface for Ferrari's latest 12-cylinder which features an innovative 4RM four-wheel drive system that has fascinated the international press and clients, and was highly praised by Markku, the Finnish ice track specialist and winner of the World Rally Championship in 1978.
At temperatures between -15° and -30° Celsius on the steep inclines and challenging corners of the 14km "Forest" track, Markku Alen was able to test the FF to extremes, particularly the car's traction on surfaces with extremely low grip. Thanks to the perfect weight distribution and the car's mechanical set up, the FF again demonstrated its safety, stability and performance, with Markku commenting that the FF is especially enjoyable to drive, even for a former World Champion.
