Ferrari Dominates the Top Gear Awards 2026 with F80 and 296 Speciale
Image: newspress.uk
London, UK (26 November 2025) – Ferrari has secured two of the most prestigious honours at the Top Gear Awards 2026, with the Ferrari F80 named Hypercar of the Year and the Ferrari 296 Speciale crowned Supercar of the Year. The double victory strengthens Ferrari’s extraordinary track record at the awards, bringing the marque to an unparalleled 21 Top Gear titles in 23 years, including its eighth win in the Supercar category.
Ferrari F80: Hypercar of the Year
Image: newspress.uk
Limited to just 799 units, the Ferrari F80 represents the sixth supercar in Maranello’s historic lineage and stands alongside icons such as the GTO, F40 and LaFerrari. It brings together Ferrari’s most advanced technology from both Formula 1 and endurance racing.
At the heart of the F80 lies a 1200 cv hybrid power unit, built around the internally designated F163CF 3.0-litre V6, which alone delivers 900 cv thanks to technologies derived from the 499P that secured back-to-back Le Mans victories in 2023 and 2024. The remaining 300 cv is supplied by an 800-volt hybrid system incorporating:
An e-4WD electric front axle
A rear MGU-K
MGU-H e-turbos that generate power from turbine rotation and eliminate turbo lag
Aerodynamics are equally extreme. The F80 produces 1050 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, supported by:
A continuously adjusting active rear wing
Active suspension featuring 3D-printed metal upper arms
Ferrari’s Boost Optimisation system, which analyses tracks in real time and deploys additional power where it reduces lap times most effectively
The cockpit features a unique 1+ configuration, giving the driver a single-seater experience within a two-seat homologation layout. Production of the F80 runs until 2027, aligning with Ferrari’s 80th anniversary.
Speaking about the award, Jethro Bovingdon of Topgear.com remarked:
“Ferrari has embraced knowledge from F1 and endurance racing to create a whole that’s raw and energised but exploitable, intuitive and usable.”
Ferrari 296 Speciale: Supercar of the Year
Image: newspress.uk
The 296 Speciale follows in the footsteps of the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista as the newest “special version” berlinetta — a tradition reserved for Ferrari’s most focused, high-engagement models.
It elevates the 296 GTB to a new level of performance through a deeply revised hybrid architecture that combines:
A 120-degree twin-turbo V6
An electric motor delivering instant torque
A combined output of 880 cv
Image: newspress.uk
The V6 engine has been lightened and reinforced using F1-derived components. The 8-speed DCT is enhanced with Ferrari’s fast-shift strategy, enabling quicker, more aggressive gear changes. The car also features:
20% more downforce than the 296 GTB
Reduced overall weight
A revised chassis for sharper track response
An extra boost strategy delivering full hybrid power during high-performance laps
Radical aerodynamic solutions including rear gamma wings, suspended splitters, and an enlarged racing-inspired diffuser
Jason Barlow, Editor at Large at Topgear.com, described the car as:
“A track-focused Ferrari with greater dynamic bandwidth than ever… It raises the bar yet again in all the key measurables, and plenty that aren’t algorithmic.”
Ferrari’s Response to the Double Win
Accepting the awards, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Chief Product Development Officer at Ferrari, stated:
“These coveted titles honour the achievements of a team of dedicated engineers who constantly strive to achieve the most ambitious technical objectives.”
The accolades highlight Ferrari’s continued dominance in the supercar and hypercar segment, reaffirming Maranello’s position at the forefront of technical innovation, vehicle dynamics and driver engagement.
Conclusion
With the F80 and 296 Speciale claiming two of the most coveted Top Gear Awards, Ferrari begins 2026 with a powerful statement: its commitment to engineering excellence, motorsport-derived innovation, and emotional driving experiences remains unmatched.
These victories not only celebrate two extraordinary cars, but also honour a philosophy that has defined Ferrari for decades — relentless pursuit of performance, precision, and passion.
Affiliate Disclosure
Disclosure: Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of these links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
We only recommend products and services that we trust or that are directly relevant to our content. Affiliate earnings help us keep this platform independent and of high quality.
