Ferrari recalled the entire £212million fleet of its new car yesterday - over a design blunder that makes it explode in flames.

Five of the £170,000 458 Italia luxury cars have caught fire since the model's spring launch.

Now bosses at Ferrari HQ near Bologna, Italy, have told owners of all 1,248 worldwide - including rock legend Eric Clapton and DJ Chris Evans - to urgently return the motors.

They have burst into flames in Paris, Switzerland, California and China but not so far in Britain. Company engineers say glue used on a rear wheel arch can ignite on very hot days or if the driver has been driving at speed for a long time.

The 458 Italia boasts a 4.5-litre engine and a 202mph top speed. It does 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds. Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson once hailed it as "one of the all-time greats".

Ferrari says dealers should be able to correct the fault in about half a day.

A spokesman assured owners: "Obviously work will be carried out free of charge. Customers whose car has been destroyed as a direct result of the fault will be offered a free vehicle as soon as possible at no cost to them."