This time, the anticipation for the «Curbs Trackday» was particularly high, as it was heading to «Bella Italia,» specifically to the royal park of Monza, Italy's traditional race track. Fredy Lienhard invited me to drive his Ferrari 333 SP at «Kuno Schaer's Trackday.» What could be more fitting than being allowed to drive a Ferrari on the traditional Monza circuit? Even the journey there is special, leading through residential areas when the navigation system announces only a few hundred meters left. Most other tracks are located far outside cities. It goes through narrow alleys, and then the road leads us into the royal park. Tall, centuries-old trees show us the way towards the driving
old walls with Italian flair here and there. Immediately, a lot of Monza's history comes to mind; time seems to have stood still here. One would actually expect a quiet pond or something similar instead of a racetrack in this dreamlike environment. I enter the pits, and there he is, the Ferrari 333 SP. The excitement is similar to 1997 when I entered the paddock at Anderstorp for the International Sports Race Series (ISRS) race and saw that Ferrari 333SP for the first time, which I was supposed to share with Giovanni Lavaggi. Back then, the call to race in the ISRS series came unexpectedly, and we just missed the podium. But as usual, without any prior test drives, I was satisfied to finish fourth and make my mark with a temporary third place. My very first encounter, however, dates back to 1995 when I saw the favored Ferraris at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Everyone surely has some picture from their life in mind; to this day, I still have the image in my mind of braking a Ferrari 333 SP at Daytona at night and seeing the blue-yellow helmet in the Ferrari: Michele AlboretoThat was a defining experience for me.
The Ferrari 333 SP – A Symphony for the Ears
But I still have to wait until tomorrow until I'm allowed to get into the Ferrari. First, off to the hotel. Here at the «Fossati» hotel, the manager knows countless stories about the Formula 1 stars who have stayed here. From Siffert, Ickx, «Numerous stars, from Lauda to Schumacher, have spent Grand Prix weekends here. Unfortunately, it rains the next morning, and the drive is postponed until midday, when it's expected to be dry. Understandably, an original Ferrari 333 SP is worth several million euros. At midday, the sun finally breaks through the picturesque trees of the royal park, and it's time to go. As usual, Fredy's seat fits me, and Benny Hotz from Horag Racing buckles me in. Then it's »start your engine," and the twelve-cylinder Ferrari barks behind me, muffled because it's unfortunately equipped with silencers. Back then, I reveled in the pure sound of the twelve-cylinder. Despite its subdued voice, it quickly accelerates and is still a symphony for the ears. Starting off, no problem, and I drive out of the pit box. At the pit lane exit, I accelerate, the Ferrari engine roars, and the slicks start spinning wildly because they're still cold. Skidding slightly, I head towards the chicane. On the first lap, it's now time to warm up the tires and first get my bearings on where to go here in Monza. I last drove laps here in 2002 during my Porsche Super Cup victory. All in all, a great trip back in time this time, with a flashback here and there.".
With «wheelspin» in the lower gears of the Ferrari 333 SP
Now I'm getting back into the rhythm, the line is good, and I'm becoming one with the 333 again. I've shifted into fifth gear, and we're passing the start/finish. The twelve-cylinder is revving higher and higher, and somehow it feels like you've engaged a «DRS system» when it really picks up speed at high RPMs. Typical twelve-cylinder: it really produces its power at high RPMs. Speed-wise, we're surely somewhere around 300 km/h now. When braking, the Ferrari is a bit light at the rear; the brake balance is probably a bit too far back. The initial turn-in goes quite well; there's enough grip to precisely enter the first tight chicane and get to the inside curb. The quick change of direction into the left turn of the chicane also happens with good grip, while I give a short burst of throttle between the corners. Only when accelerating out does the grip at the front axle start to falter slightly, resulting in mild understeer towards the corner exit. Then, a proper stomp on the gas pedal, and you get wheelspin at the rear axle. A little horse on the Ferrari emblem, but 650 horses under the hood make the rear wheels spin freely again if you're not careful. And this happens easily in second and third gear if you're not gentle with the throttle. Then it's full acceleration towards «Curva Grande.» I shift from second gear to fourth, go through the long «Curva Grande» at full throttle, and shift into fifth. Then it's braking for the second chicane. I'm flying past two cars; you'd think they were standing still. Again, the Ferrari shows good mechanical grip for braking, turning in, and changing direction, and I'm already getting back on the throttle slightly in the left-hand corner. Then I let the 650 hp work fully again, and it's off towards the first Lesmo corner. The sound, belissima, even with the silencers!
«Burl Wood Trim for the Ferrari 333 SP
Braking, turning in, everything stable at the rear. At the apex, it goes close to the inner guardrail. I'm looking for the late apex of the corner to accelerate out properly again and aim for the second Lesmo. Short braking, turning in, and straight back on the throttle. Although I'm at full throttle now and the speed is heading somewhere around 270 km/h, I first take in this fantastic race track. What's special here? On almost every race track, you drive through desolate no-man's-land. Run-off areas, wide distances to the track edge, walls, and fences are only perceived. Here in Monza, it goes along the guardrails with a perceived distance of two meters towards the Ascari Chicane. You have the feeling the trees are lining up, as the red Ferrari comes by, and visually, I'm driving through a green oasis. Then comes the slight left kink, and a wall seems to build up in front of me. But then it goes downhill, and the wall turns out to be the bridge of the old, traditional banked turn, under which I now drive. Then it goes uphill to the Ascari Chicane. Braking, downshifting to third gear, turning into the left-hand corner. At the apex, back on the throttle, shifting over to the right, and already in fourth gear again, turning into the next left, and at the exit, full throttle towards the Parabolica corner. In this faster section, the high grip generated by the aerodynamics is overwhelming, just like in the following Parabolica corner. So, a racing car that inspires.
Act powerfully with enthusiasm
But what Ferrari doesn't stir a driver's heart? The twelve-cylinder sound is music to the ears, even with mufflers. The steering is still okay in terms of steering force, as power steering is just as absent as traction control. And here's the sore point of the 333 SP. The mechanical grip when initiating a turn is good, but a little more traction when accelerating would be nice. The power sometimes causes the twelve-cylinder to spin its wheels even in third gear. However, the gearbox is stiff to shift, and during a race, it would have surely caused a blister or two on the hands. You have to be forceful here to shift gears sequentially. Thus, the Ferrari 333 SP was one of the last sports cars of its generation that didn't have paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and so it was often steered with one hand. Now I'll let the brakes cool down and drive towards the pit lane. I'm still enjoying the moment of my time travel back to the 90s, my own experiences with a race at Anderstorp, the sight of the great scenery of this racetrack in the royal park, and the anticipation of the next car waiting for me in the pit lane. And the sun is shining again. So, what more could you want in Bella Italia? Forza Ferrari!
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Photos: Peter Heil