The online auction of Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo’s 599 GTB Fiorano has drawn to a close with the winner paying out 260,000 euros which will go towards funding young researchers working on technological innovation projects.

The online auction of Luca di Montezemolo’s personal Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on the official website has draw to a close. The Ferrari Chairman sold his car on the internet to collect funds for young researchers, working on projects in the area of technological innovation. The auction was a complete success, as this special car was sold for Euro 260,000 to a buyer who wants to remain anonymous, letting Forza Spa Ferrari, the exclusive dealership for Piedmont, Liguria and Val d'Aosta, collect.

The Ferrari Chairman's 599 GTB Fiorano had a total of 5,776 km on the clock when it was put up on the auction block and was fitted with the model's F1 gearbox. On the exterior it was finished in red (Rosso Monza) and features a carbon – ceramic brake system with aluminium calipers, as well as 20-inch monolithic wheel rims and Run Flat Bridgestone tyres. Inside there was a charcoal leather interior trim to tempt bidders, including head liner, rear bench and steering wheel, with dark grey carpeting and stitching. There was carbon-fibre trim detailing pieces in the driver's area and in its lower sections (door panels) as well as a steering-wheel with carbon elements incorporated and five LEDs to display the engine rpm. Cabin equipment included a Cascade Sat-Nav and I-Pod. The powerful 5,999cc V12-engined 2-door sports car comes with a certificate of authenticity personally engraved with Chairman Luca di Montezemolo's signature, which will be presented to the winner of the 599 GTB Fiorano's auction on the occasion of the handover to the new owner in Maranello.

With this initiative Ferrari reconfirms its attention for research and especially for young researchers. Besides the constant investment of around 18 percent of the manufacturer’s turnover every year for development and research in the area of new models, Ferrari also offers several scholarships for researchers at Universities all over the world in the areas of the reduction of emissions, men-machine interface and the reduction of the cars’ weight. Therefore the Laboratorio MilleChili at the University of Modena has been opened several weeks ago.

The new auction initiative on the ferrari.com website represented a further novelty: it was the first time that a Ferrari car had been sold on the internet, a form of communication becoming more and more important for Ferrari to stay in touch with clients and fans.