Drivers of Ferrari’s new £170,000 supercar seem to be on a particularly unlucky streak all over the world.
In the last three months six 458 Italias have been involved in accidents, three caught fire and one was wrecked in a warehouse blaze.
The incidents have been catalogued at www.wrecked exotics.com which documents supercar crashes. Website founder Greg Carlson said yesterday: “Owners are getting the feel for the new car, some are taking it beyond their skill level.”
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson hailed the supercar “one of the all-time greats” after its launch in the spring. There is a three-year waiting list for the motor, whose owners include radio DJ Chris Evans and rock legend Eric Clapton.The first crash was in Poland on May 20 when the driver swerved to avoid a bus and hit a family saloon.
In July a customised 458, with a £65,000 Dolce & Gabbana interior, was wrecked in a warehouse blaze at Heathrow. And last week a black 458 hit a barrier on a wet road in Marlow, Bucks, and suffered a smashed bumper.
Other unlucky 458s have been involved in incidents in Spain, the Czech Republic, Paris, Switzerland, Italy (right outside the Ferrari HQ in Maranello) and California.
A Ferrari spokesman declined to comment.