Ferrari Agrees: Touch-Sensitive Steering Wheel Buttons Were a Bad Idea
However, its most welcome feature is something refreshingly simple: proper physical, tactile buttons on the steering wheel.
With the Amalfi's arrival, Ferrari has officially backtracked on one of its most criticized decisions – its insistence on using touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. Introduced on models like the SF90 and Roma, the system aimed to enhance modernity and performance, but instead left many owners fumbling through menus mid-drive or accidentally activating features while on a spirited drive.
Speaking to Top Gear, Ferrari marketing boss Enrico Galliera explained the company's reasoning behind the haptic controls, and its subsequent reversal.
"Our philosophy is always 'hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.' But we were finding people were having too much time with their eyes also on the wheel. We listened to our customers," he admitted.
He added that while touch controls may be faster on a smartphone, the experience in a moving supercar proved far less intuitive.
Galliera also acknowledged that Ferrari's HMI (human-machine interface) "was probably too advanced and not 100 percent perfect in use." The touch interface had been developed in pursuit of performance and speed, mirroring the ultra-fast SF90's hybrid system, but ultimately didn't match the needs of drivers in the real world. Now, Ferrari is "re-balancing, not changing" its design strategy.
Design chief Flavio Manzoni seconded the move. "Beauty is simplicity," he told Top Gear, reinforcing the notion that elegance and usability can – and should – coexist in a Ferrari.
Best of all, the tactile steering wheel buttons are not a feature locked to the new Amalfi. According to Ferrari's product development chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi, several existing models - including the 296 GTB, Purosangue, SF90, and 12Cilindri - can be retrofitted with the new steering wheel setup.
"Yes, you can have it," Fulgenzi told Top Gear. "We don't even have to replace the whole wheel. Just the center." The retrofit can be performed at any Ferrari dealer, and after a short test drive to verify calibration, drivers are good to go.
It's a rare move for a brand like Ferrari to admit fault so directly, but one that's bound to earn goodwill from customers who've long wanted the brand's supercars to get back to just being great to drive.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Keanu Reeves To Star In Cadillac F1 Docuseries Ahead Of 2026 Debut
Keanu Reeves is back in the fast lane. The Hollywood legend and quietly obsessive motorsport fan is set to narrate and executive produce a brand-new documentary series charting the rise of Cadillac's all-new Formula 1 team - a project that might just be the biggest shake-up to hit F1's paddock since Drive to Survive made Netflix shareholders very alongside Brawn collaborators Neil Duncanson and Simon Hammerson, the yet-unnamed docuseries will follow Cadillac and Andretti Global's rollercoaster bid to enter Formula 1, from their original 2022 application (rejected), to finally securing a grid slot for 2026 (approved, just barely). It will be filmed under Reeves' KR+SH production company and North One Television."I'm very honored and excited to be a part of telling the remarkable Cadillac Formula 1 Team story," Reeves said. "Our goal is to bring audiences into the heart of this journey and showcase what it takes to participate in one of the most exclusive sports arenas in the world." From Silverstone To Indy - The Team Behind The Team Unlike most F1 newcomers, Cadillac's team is being built entirely from scratch. No buyouts, no rebranding, no leased chassis. It's a clean-sheet operation with big ambitions, split between Andretti's U.S. base in Fishers, Indiana, and a UK outfit operating out of Silverstone - right in the heart of motorsport the two, they're hiring 600 people before lights out in Melbourne, with around 400 already on board. Engineers, logistics leads, aerodynamicists - the lot. And since GM won't have its Cadillac power unit ready until 2028 or 2029, the team will enter F1 in 2026 with Ferrari-supplied Cadillac insists it'll be an American effort with international scope. A moonshot project, in every sense - which is exactly why it should make for compelling television. Star Power Meets Serious Stakes The documentary is being positioned as more than just another Drive to Survive spinoff. Where Brawn focused on a miraculous underdog season, this project will showcase the blood, sweat, spreadsheets, and budget caps behind building an F1 team from nothing - with cameras embedded in both U.S. and UK also perfectly timed. Formula 1 has exploded in the U.S. in recent years, and a homegrown team led by a heritage luxury brand like Cadillac could be the final marketing domino Liberty Media's been waiting for. Add Keanu Reeves - already proven in motorsport storytelling - and you've got a headline act with genuine fan series is expected to land before the team's 2026 debut, with speculation it could stream on Disney+, Netflix, or Amazon Prime, depending on distribution deals. Still A Team Without A Face As of July 2025, no livery or drivers have been revealed. Cadillac has confirmed key hires are in place, and driver talks are ongoing. Rumours swirl around the usual suspects - Colton Herta, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Pérez - but nothing has been documentary may well break that news itself, with producers hinting at exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Expect at least one reveal episode before testing begins in early 2026. Why It Matters In a landscape where new F1 teams are rare, and even rarer when they're American, Cadillac's entry is both bold and politically fraught. The docuseries won't just show a brand entering a sport - it'll show how difficult it is to be allowed to enter at all, especially when existing teams are reluctant to split the prize the drama Liberty Media loves. It's the spectacle fans crave. And with Keanu narrating it all in that serene, slightly whispery cadence? You might just believe the impossible is possible. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Forget The BMW Speedtop And Buy This Original Clown Shoe Instead
BMW recently revealed the Concept Speedtop, a while after the Concept Touring Coupe of 2023. Both have been thought of as modern interpretations of the M Coupe. That's because their two-door designs and stretched roofs mirror the profile of the original clown shoe. Unfortunately, the Touring Coupe isn't going into production and only 70 examples of the Speedtop will be produced; the latter is expected to cost around $500,000. If you don't have that much cash lying around, the alternative is to buy an original clown shoe, and a stunning example of this has just popped up for sale on Bring A Trailer. This 2002 BMW M Coupe is selling at no reserve, and the current bid is sitting on $77,000 at the time of writing with a few days left to run. It's finished in Estoril Blue Metallic over Nappa leather in a mix of black and Estoril Blue. Only 22 examples of the M Coupe came in this spec. The original owner in California cared for the car until 2025, and it accumulated a mere 7,000 miles in that time, so is not yet close to dangerous territory when it comes to the VANOS and rod bearing issues these S54 engines are infamous for. This year, the rearview mirror and shift knob were freshly replaced due to age-related visible wear, but otherwise, the car appears original. It still looks as unique as ever on its Shadow-finished 17-inch wheels, while the classic analog dials and old-school BMW Business CD sound system are typical of the period. The trio of physical climate controls reek of simplicity alongside today's iDrive setup, and these are matched by three gauges below. The star of the show here is the 3.2-liter S54 inline six-cylinder engine, sans turbos or any sort of electrickery. The outputs of 315 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque seem outclassed by today's standards, but it's the way this car revs to around 8,000 rpm that very few modern engines can match. A five-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels, and the car is fitted with a limited-slip differential. Engine oil, along with transmission and differential fluids, were all changed in preparation for the sale. The car has a clean CarFax report and a clean California title. Related: Dumb cars that are actually cool While manual BMWs are still around, everything seems heavy and overly complicated alongside this pure M Coupe. This little bread van can't hope to match the craftsmanship and V8 strength of the Speedtop, but its spirit is impossible to replicate in a modern car, and it'll be one lucky buyer that gets their hands on this example. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Reveals Advice he Would Give Max Verstappen for Mercedes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has opened up on the advice he would give Max Verstappen about his former team, Mercedes, considering the rumors about Verstappen's ongoing talks with the Brackley-based outfit. The speculation erupted after George Russell revealed that discussions on his Mercedes contract extension were delayed due to ongoing talks between Mercedes and the four-time world champion. Notably, Russell's Mercedes contract is set to expire at the end of this year. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff acknowledged the interest in having Verstappen on board his team but revealed a very low probability of a move happening next year. Wolff emphasized that Russell and Kimi Antonelli would continue racing for Mercedes in 2026, but he didn't hesitate to admit that Verstappen would remain on his radar for the long-term future. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari speaks with Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in Parc ferme during the Sprint/qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International... Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Ferrari speaks with Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in Parc ferme during the Sprint/qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 22, 2025 in Shanghai, China. MoreWith Russell yet to sign an extension, speculation about Verstappen's potential Mercedes switch continues to swirl. As F1 heads to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix this weekend, Hamilton was asked if he would recommend Verstappen to join Mercedes if he were asked for his opinion. The 40-year-old driver gave a positive reply and remarked that he would be interested to see what unfolds in the future. He said: "Of course. If someone, anyone, was going to ask me about Mercedes, it's an amazing team also with the passion, they've got great personnel, it's a great factory, great environment to work in. "I'll be interested to see what happens." Hamilton didn't hold himself back from praising Red Bull, and explained how he had misunderstood the team many years ago when he was a staunch Mercedes fan. He added: "I mean, he's coming from a great team and I think many, many years ago I was asked [about Red Bull], I think I was just so diehard Mercedes at the time, and I remember saying something about Red Bull being only a drinks company. "I always regretted it because I was just saying that because Mercedes at the time was just great. I was really just trying to gee up my team, but the truth is Red Bull have been an incredible team. "There's so many people there that are exceptional and they've dominated for years." Speaking on his home race this weekend, Hamilton admitted he was looking forward to the Silverstone magic with hopes of securing his first podium finish of the season. He said: "I'm hoping and praying, yes. There's always magic here in Silverstone, so I don't really have to hope for that in the sense that the crowd is incredible. "It's a very, very, very special place. And it always provides a special race, one way or the other. But I'm hoping that whether all sorts of things can help us, because we're obviously naturally not as strong as we used to be."
