Ferrari has always pushed the boundaries of what it means to drive a supercar, but with the F80, the legendary Italian automaker initially set out to do something truly radical—strip away the passenger seat entirely. Yes, the LaFerrari successor was originally designed as a single-seater, with Ferrari’s design chief Flavio Manzoni confirming that the vision for the F80 was to give it “really extreme proportions” by making the interior all about the driver.
This wasn’t just a tweak to tradition. Ferrari aimed to craft an ultra-narrow, race-ready cockpit that would feel like a Formula 1 experience for the road. It was supposed to be a bold departure, a supercar that demanded undivided attention, not just from the driver, but from the roads it would conquer. Ferrari wanted to create a driver-centric beast, a car so streamlined and minimal that the absence of a passenger was part of its DNA.
But as the design evolved, Ferrari made a significant pivot—adding a passenger seat. Not just any seat, though; this was a cleverly designed, weight-saving addition that wouldn’t disrupt the F80’s razor-sharp focus on the driver. Manzoni explained that the engineers at Maranello found a way to make the interior feel like a single-seater even with a passenger in tow. To achieve this, the passenger seat was fixed in place, positioned slightly farther back, and cleverly camouflaged in black to seamlessly blend into the carbon fiber-heavy cabin.
This wasn’t Ferrari’s first brush with the single-seater concept. In 2018, the Monza SP1 hit the roads as a one-seat marvel, while its sibling, the SP2, offered a second spot for those wanting to share the thrill. Similarly, the Ferrari 499P Modificata, a track-only monster, also stayed true to the single-seater concept.
Yet, the F80’s evolution from a single-seater concept to a two-seater hybrid masterpiece still captures Ferrari’s ongoing quest for perfection. The V6 hybrid powertrain, paired with its ultra-lightweight build, keeps the F80 firmly in the realm of modern engineering marvels. Before even factoring in fluids, this carbon-fiber-laden beast weighs a mere 3,362 pounds (1,525 kilograms), proving that Ferrari hasn’t sacrificed agility in the process.
But here’s the real kicker: while Ferrari’s iconic two-seater and four-seater layouts have defined much of its legacy, the automaker’s experimentation with unusual seating configurations isn’t new. Back in 1966, Ferrari and famed designer Sergio Pininfarina produced the Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale—better known as “Tre Posti,” a rare three-seater where the driver sat center-stage with two passengers flanking them. That wild configuration still holds a special place in Ferrari lore, proving that the company has always been willing to take risks when it comes to interior design.
Looking ahead, don’t be surprised if Ferrari continues to push boundaries with its ultra-exclusive Icona series, much like the Monza SP1 and SP2. There’s also speculation—among those not quite in the inner circle of the ultra-wealthy—that Ferrari’s Vision Gran Turismo concept could someday make the leap from virtual reality to asphalt. After all, if anyone could convince Ferrari to bring a futuristic single-seater from a video game to life, it’s the brand’s elite clientele.
In the world of supercars, it seems the thrill of innovation is just as important as speed, and with Ferrari at the helm, we can be sure that there are more surprises on the horizon.
