Vettel’s Team Refutes 350km/h Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Claim
Sebastian Vettel’s press office rejects allegations that he drove a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta at 350km/h on Abu Dhabi public roads, following a viral video and media claims.
Sebastian Vettel’s press office has denied reports that the four-time Formula One world champion drove a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta at 350km/h on public roads in Abu Dhabi. The denial comes after a video circulated online, allegedly showing Vettel behind the wheel during the week of the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The story gained traction after German broadcaster RTL2’s motoring presenter Matthias Malmedie reportedly repeated the claim, as covered by Bild newspaper. The video, which appeared on YouTube, purported to show Vettel reaching a top speed of 350km/h in the Ferrari supercar on a highway. The F12 Berlinetta, powered by a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V12, is capable of over 340km/h according to Ferrari’s official figures, but such speeds are illegal on public roads in the UAE.
Vettel’s press office issued a statement insisting the driver in the video was “explicitly not” Sebastian Vettel. No evidence has emerged to directly link Vettel to the incident, and the press office’s denial was unambiguous. The claim surfaced just as Vettel was preparing to leave Red Bull Racing for Ferrari, adding to the speculation around his move and public appearances in Maranello road cars.
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and the speed claim
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, introduced in 2012, is among the fastest road cars produced by Maranello at the time, with a factory-quoted top speed of 340km/h. The car’s V12 engine produces 740PS and 690Nm, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While the F12’s performance is well documented, driving at or near its maximum speed on public roads would be both illegal and highly dangerous.
The video’s authenticity and the identity of its driver remain unverified. With Vettel’s press office firmly denying any involvement, and no further evidence emerging, the story appears to rest on speculation and social media attention rather than confirmed fact.
Context: drivers, road cars and public scrutiny
Formula One drivers are frequently seen in high-performance cars, but their public behaviour is closely watched, especially when transitioning between teams. Vettel’s high-profile move from Red Bull to Ferrari in 2015 drew additional media attention to his activities off the track. The timing of the video and the subsequent denial reflects the scrutiny racing drivers face, particularly regarding road safety and legal compliance.
With no official investigation or charges reported, and Vettel’s representatives unequivocal in their denial, the claim remains unsubstantiated. For more on Ferrari’s fastest road cars, seeFerrari 599 GTO: Previewing Maranello’s Fastest Road Car.
