Italian Navy to race Ferrari SF90 against F-35B fighter jet

Ferrari SF90 to Race Italian Military F-35B Fighter Jet in October

The Italian Navy plans to pit a Ferrari SF90 against an F-35B fighter jet in a unique speed contest on October 11, 2026. The head-to-head showdown will take place at the Grottaglie military base in southern Italy, featuring a pair of distinct acceleration tests across a 500-meter sprint and a longer 2.8-kilometer course.

We are it used to getting a result, but this will be hard, Barone said. The 54-year-old driver, who holds seven speed records in Ferrari vehicles, expects the hybrid supercar to experience 2.2 g of force during launch, subjecting his body to roughly 140 kilograms of pressure.

Ferrari and Aircraft Compete on Grottaglie Aluminum Runway

The competition utilizes the 35-meter-wide runway at Grottaglie, where both vehicles will start from a standstill on an aluminum airstrip typically used for F-35B landings. During the initial 500-meter dash, the Ferrari aims to reach approximately 330 km/h in eight to nine seconds. Barone noted that the aluminum plates present a specific hurdle due to the vibrations they generate at high speeds.

In the second competition covering 2.8 kilometers on a mix of asphalt and aluminum, the aircraft and car will operate approximately 15 meters apart. After covering the initial 500 meters together, the F-35B will lift off and continue the remainder of the course flying at a height of about 20 meters. Barone observed that while the fighter jet will start more slowly than the sports car, its Pratt & Whitney F135 engine delivers more power.

Vehicle Specifications Comparison

The matchup contrasts a road-legal hybrid supercar with a military aircraft:

• Length: Ferrari SF90 measures 4.71 meters; F-35B measures 15.6 meters.
• Width: Ferrari SF90 measures 1.97 meters; F-35B measures 10.7 meters.
• Weight: Ferrari SF90 weighs roughly 1.6 tonnes; F-35B weighs approximately 27 tonnes.
• Powertrain: Ferrari SF90 features a 4.0-litre V8 hybrid with three electric motors; F-35B uses an F135 turbofan with a LiftSystem.
• Top Speed: Ferrari SF90 reaches 340 km/h; F-35B reaches 1,930 km/h.
• Cost: Ferrari SF90 starts at a minimum of 435,000 euros; F-35B costs around 120 million US dollars (approximately 107 million euros).

Historical Precedents for Fighter Jet Versus Supercar Duels

The upcoming Grottaglie event follows similar showcases combining military aviation and motorsport. Barone drove a Ferrari across the flight deck of the new Italian naval vessel Trieste last year, reaching 164 km/h over a 200-meter stretch before braking sharply to avoid the edge of the ship. The format recalls a 2003 contest at Grosseto Air Base, where Michael Schumacher raced a Ferrari F1 car against an Italian Air Force Eurofighter. In that event, Schumacher won the 600-meter race with a time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 294 km/h, while the Eurofighter claimed victory in the longer 900-meter and 1,200-meter distances.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Grottaglie Speed Duel

Why is the Italian Navy hosting a race between a car and a jet?

The Italian Navy scheduled the event at the Grottaglie base as a showcase, utilizing the facility’s specialized aluminum runway for aircraft landings.

What specific challenges does the Ferrari driver face on the runway?

Driver Fabio Barone noted that the aluminum landing strips generate vibrations at high speeds, and the vehicle will experience an acceleration force of 2.2 g off the starting line.

How does the Grottaglie event compare to Michael Schumacher’s 2003 race?

While Schumacher raced a Formula 1 car against a Eurofighter over distances ranging from 600 to 1,200 meters at Grosseto Air Base, the upcoming October event pits a Ferrari SF90 against an F-35B over a 500-meter sprint and a 2.8-kilometer dual-surface course.