Ferrari collector and Instagrammer @tipozerofourzero had always wanted to visit Maranello, so when he took delivery of his 458 Speciale, that’s just what he did. 

“'I am a crazy, crazy Ferrari enthusiast and have been since I was six years old when I was given a toy 250LM for my birthday. I love Enzo Ferrari’s story. I love his pursuit of excellence. 

My first proper road trip in a Ferrari was in my 458 Speciale and I decided to take it ‘home’. 

We headed down through France and stayed the first night in Lyon and the next day we passed through the Alps and the Mont Blanc Tunnel. At Milan we headed north to Lake Como and stayed a couple of nights at Villa d’Este – and it was just ‘oh my word’. 

Then we went south to Portofino for a night before heading to Bologna and, finally, Maranello. 

It was a glorious trip and it wasn’t just the car, it was being on our own time. I’m so used to travelling by plane but when you have a car, you have that sense of freedom and flexibility to go where and when you want. And, of course, when you’re driving you can’t look at your phone, so it’s a real break from work. 

All the way through France the French drivers were great, they seemed happy to see a Ferrari. When I got to Italy I thought, rather arrogantly, that I’d be welcomed for bringing the car back home. But what I found was that a lot of people were buzzing me on the autostrada, really aggressively. And this wasn’t just one loony, it went on for about two hours. And then the penny dropped and I literally pissed my pants. 

I was pretty much sticking to the speed limits and the locals were clearly deeply unimpressed. I only really figured it out when one car came so close and I thought I saw him do a hand sign. I thought ‘screw you, I’m behaving myself.’ I shifted down a few gears and gunned it and the driver was literally cheering. 

If you’re in Italy and you’ve got a Ferrari you’ve got to drive it like a Ferrari.” 

Follow @tipozerofourzero on Instagram