The steering is not Scuderia-fast, but its pace is spot-on for this kind of car. Better still, it is also weighted properly for optimum feel irrespective of lock and turn-in speed. On the very uneven Sicilian autostrade, where one would expect plenty of tugging at the helm when tackling the omni-present corrugated viaducts, the steering wheel of the California remained totally unperturbed. Other welcome touches include just enough self-centering and exactly the right dose of counterbalance when you hold the car on opposite lock. We're also inclined to heap praise on the standard carbon-ceramic brakes, but we have not yet really had the opportunity yet to test their stamina and high-speed deceleration. For sure, the pedal feel is communicative and correct in relation to the riveting stopping power it triggers. The footwell architecture is neatly arranged for heel-and-toeing.
As a nicely matched threesome, the steering, brakes, and throttle make it a delight to push this Ferrari to its dynamic limits, which I had the opportunity to do through the twisties from Trapani to Erice. Close to the sea, where the road was still wet with spray and fog, the Sport setting permitted enough fishtailing to warm up man and machine. Higher up, where the tarmac was dry, I disabled CST and quickly found a rhythm that was close enough to the Ferrari's limit and far enough away from the steep rock face. Unlike the F599 which needs a lot of road and momentum to waltz, the California is a more eager and in some ways even sportier machine. As long as you are prepared to boot the throttle, you can flick this car towards the apex amazingly early. But beware, because the arc it makes invariably uses part of the opposite lane, and any excessive throttle modulation will push you wide, big time. When exiting the bend, the F1-TRAC differential invites you to feed loads of torque to the sticky-soft Potenzas, which subsequently take a little longer than usual to get back in line behind the front wheels. Ferrari believes that only very few Californias will ever make it to a race track, but if this is the case the owners will probably never unearth its true talents.