Those who follow Corvette Racing might remember Olivier Beretta — the Monegasque driver who raced for Corvette Racing from 2004 through 2011. So you can imagine our surprise when GM Authority reader Robert D. sent us the following Facebook screen shot, where Beretta states that the Ferrari 458 Italia is a better car than the Corvette.
Here’s the backstory: for the 2012 racing season, Beretta signed with AF Corse and drove a Ferrari 458 Italia GTC with team mates Andrea Bertolini and Marco Cioci. Then, back in December 2012, Beretta posted a blacked-out photo of the rear end of the 458 Italia. A fan named John Jong commented on the photo, saying “I like more the Corvette, I think you too Olivier”. Beretta replied by saying, “No way, John, Drive a 458 Italia and you will change your mind.”
The conversation between Beretta and a fan. Click to expand.
Mind you, that’s after eight season with Corvette Racing, four of which resulted in first-place finishes at the famed 24 Hours of LeMans (2004, 2005, 2006, 2011). Ironically, Beretta’s supposedly-superior Ferrari did him no favors in 2012, as his team came in fourth in the GTE Pro class during the famed 24 hour race. Corvette Racing, meanwhile, took first.
The GM Authority Take
Suffice to say, Beretta is more than entitled to his own opinion; the man does, after all, get paid to drive cars (and drive them fast); heck, he probably partakes in more high-performance driving in a single month than most mere mortals will in a lifetime. But we do find his comments about the Vette and the Ferrari slightly peculiar, given that he dedicated eight seasons of his life to the Corvette. As such, we’re curious as to what he thinks of the C7… or perhaps the C7R.
Hat tip to Robert D. Photo Credit: Olivier Beretta via Facebook.
Comments
haha trader!!
He must be Italian! Hmmm Beretta? That ain’t French or English Pilgrim! So he is just being loyal to his Countries favorite brand! So of course he would say that!
Although i think the Ferrari does look better than a C6 or C6R But not so much on the C7 and Future C7R
I just love that new Stingray!
“… Monegasque driver…”
From Monaco. They’re all about Ferrari over there. If not Ferrari, then Maserati and Porsche.
no sweat corvette will be ok
I bet my behind that is the outcome of a bitter breakup.
No man will ever admit his ex was better.
Really no big surprise here! First of all, he now gets PAID to drive a Ferarri, so of course he’s going to say its better. Second, the C6.R regularly beats the Ferarri on the track, so I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like that too much! If he’s talking about the street versions of the cars, it probably really bugs him that a $100K ZR1 can run with a $400K Ferarri (and it probably bugs him even more that you can’t get a manual gearbox in that Ferarri!). Too bad, Olivier!
He races for Ferrari now, and Ferrari are control freaks (just ask Chris Harris), of course he will back the team he is racing for.
This somehow makes me realize that outside of F1 (in which their reputation is also patchy), Ferrari these days is becoming more of a mere status symbol than an actual performance marque just like Aston Martin and Lamborghini: pretty and powerful, but vulnerable on street and track.
Ferrari is just as much about street cars performing on the track as anybody. The 458 and F12 epitomize this and the F150, Enzo successor, will surely give the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 a run for their money around any track. The F150 is said to have 800hp from it’s V12 with another 150hp provided from it’s KERS, plus it hits peak torque at 1000rpm and screams all the way up to 9200, plus it weighs as much as a BRZ @ 2800lbs.
Ferrari might be up tight pricks in some regards, but they can still make a road-going car that hauls around a track.
I agree with Bill on OB just boasting on his (new) current employer and Jay, you got that right. OB must be just giddy with his position as a Ferrari status symbol!
I guess once your rich and “famous”, winning comes 2nd? ooh wait, even that is hard for Ferrari these days right!
I’m pretty sure he’s contractually obligated to feel this way.
Ya think?
Oh well his loss..
I’m not saying Ferrari doesn’t make good cars because they do, but anything in corvette’s category I think it handles it not just on the track either.
who cares?…that’s his opinion now. Of course, he’s driving a Ferrari now so he will be praising Ferrari up to the high heavens..don’t bite the hand that feeds you, so to speak.
Give us a break Ollie. You didn’t win, didja?