On a sunny Thursday morning off the coast of Italy, the air crackled with anticipation. The scene? The flight deck of the Italian Navy aircraft carrier Nave Trieste, docked in Civitavecchia. The mission? To break a world record for the fastest speed achieved by a car on a boat. At the wheel of a vibrant red-and-black Ferrari SF90, Italian driver Fabio Barone was ready to make history.
Barone wasn’t a stranger to this kind of high-stakes challenge. Last year, he set the Italian Timekeepers Federation’s record on another aircraft carrier, clocking in at an impressive 94.4 mph. This time, his target was even higher: 99.4 mph. The stakes were amplified by the presence of a cruise ship positioned just beyond the carrier’s ski jump – a crucial element of the attempt given the need to brake extremely quickly after the high-speed run.
However, the morning presented an unexpected obstacle. Overnight rain left the flight deck damp, causing race engineer Alessandro Tedino to express serious concerns about the feasibility and safety of the record attempt. A team worked diligently to dry the deck, successfully completing the task just in time thanks to the late summer sun. With the deck dry and the “Top Gun” theme music blasting from the speakers, the atmosphere was electric.
The anticipation built as Barone’s team, including a group of children with Down syndrome serving as honorary mechanics, unveiled the Ferrari. Barone took to the wheel, performing several practice runs to warm up the powerful V-8 turbo engine, the roar growing louder with each pass. Finally, he positioned himself at the start, ready for the all-clear signal.
The moment arrived, and Barone launched, a blur of red streaking across the deck. Seconds later, he came to a controlled stop, the crowd erupting in a mix of applause and nervous excitement. The official timekeeper approached, his inspection of the gauges tense and deliberate. The verdict? 164 kilometers per hour (101.9 mph) – a new world record! Barone, still in his helmet, raised his arms in victory, embracing his team amidst a flurry of celebratory hugs and interviews.
Barone shared his experience, emphasizing the crucial role of focus and precision. He described the challenge as requiring simultaneous control of all four limbs, a testament to his skill and expertise. His team will now submit the certified results to Guinness World Records, who have expressed their anticipation for reviewing the application. This daring feat serves as an unforgettable display of skill, precision, and the thrill of pushing boundaries.
