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What Does It Take To Become A Ferrari Test-Driver?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Alex_V, Jul 24, 2005.

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  1. Alex_V

    Alex_V F1 Rookie
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    #1 Alex_V, Jul 24, 2005
    I was just wondering that while watching the F430 Top Gear video, and while I would love nothing more than to have that job...I know the reality I wont get it; Ive never drove a fast car on a track, cant drive manual yet and all that good stuff.

    But I was wondering how do these guys get the jobs of "testing" the new Ferraris? What qualified them? Its not like Schumacher is there one and only tester....


    Dream job if you ask me.
     
  2. c_snapper

    c_snapper Karting

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    #2 c_snapper, Jul 24, 2005
    they are former race car drivers at any level.....
     
  3. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

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    #3 Sfumato, Jul 24, 2005
    Dario Benuzzi can lap Fiorano faster than MS, probably with a cig and phone in his hands if offered the choice.
     
  4. WarrenF355

    WarrenF355 Formula 3

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    #4 WarrenF355, Jul 24, 2005
    Benuzzi LIVES at Fiorano. I bet Schumi'd spank him in Germany!
     
  5. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #5 SRT Mike, Jul 24, 2005
    I think there are two ways

    First, start as a successful race car driver. When your racing career ends, you can get into commentating (if you have the knack of it), or into being an instructor, or into being a tester.

    Second, start as a journalist. Write good pieces, get a big fanbase, know about cars, have some racing experience (even if just club racing), learn to be a good driver, then people will listen and you will be in-demand at magazines and on TV shows like Clarkson or C. Van Tune, etc.

    Either way there are LOTS of other willing applicants so the chances are probably about as good as being a pro soccer player or pro writer.
     
  6. gatsby

    gatsby Karting

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    #6 gatsby, Jul 25, 2005
    I imagine it would be similar to test pilots. I know a test pilot for Boeing and he was a former Chief Pilot for the airlines as well as a Navy fighter pilot prior to that. A proven track record of knowing how to push the limits of performance while knowing what your doing is obviously key.
     

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  7. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 darth550, Jul 25, 2005
    A nice rack and a top 10 finish at Indy??? :)
     
  8. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

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    #8 Sfumato, Jul 25, 2005
    No, that's what it takes to test drive Rahal
     
  9. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

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    #9 don_xvi, Jul 25, 2005
    Who drives for Rahal that has a nice rack?
     
  10. Turner

    Turner Karting

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    #10 Turner, Jul 25, 2005
    danica patrick!
     
  11. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

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    #11 don_xvi, Jul 25, 2005
    What rack does she have? I seem to have missed it in her FHM spread a couple of years ago... :p
     
  12. DMC

    DMC Formula 3

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    #12 DMC, Jul 25, 2005
    A couple of coathooks is more like it.
     
  13. Trevor L

    Trevor L Formula Junior

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    #13 Trevor L, Jul 25, 2005
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  14. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    #14 thecarreaper, Jul 25, 2005
    she needs bolt ons......... :)
     
  15. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

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    #15 tuttebenne, Jul 25, 2005
    How to become a test driver:

    1. Learn how to drive a car
    2. Learn how to drive a car fast
    3. Learn how to push a car beyond the point of adhesion and recover from it
    4. Be able to do this in any car at any time
    5. Develop the ability to perform exactly identical laps time after time after time
    6. Do all of this better than 99.9% of the people who want to be a test driver
    7. Take Jean Todt for a ride and show him what you can do.
     

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