Why Top Gear's Chris Harris Was Banned from Driving Ferraris

The story behind Chris Harris' ban from Ferrari and his eventual reconciliation.

In the world of automotive journalism, few names are as well-known as Chris Harris. Best recognized for his work on Top Gear, Harris has made a name for himself with his candid, no-holds-barred reviews of high-performance cars. However, his relationship with Ferrari hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In fact, Harris found himself banned from driving Ferraris for a period, a move that came after he publicly criticized the renowned Italian automaker. This story is about the clash between Harris and Ferrari, how it unfolded, and how the two eventually reconciled.

Chris Harris' Critical Ferrari Blog Post

The tension between Chris Harris and Ferrari began in 2011 when Harris, a regular contributor to Jalopnik, wrote a scathing blog post titled "How Ferrari Spins." In this blog post, Harris accused Ferrari of manipulating the performance of its cars in order to boost their results in media tests. Harris was particularly critical of the way Ferrari handled its press cars, claiming that the company was optimizing them for magazine performance tests to ensure they outperformed customer-owned cars.

Harris was particularly vocal about his experience with the Ferrari 360 Modena press car. According to Harris, the press car was two seconds quicker to reach 100 mph compared to a customer car he tested. He also criticized the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, noting that it had been fitted with "standard" tires that, during a dyno session, “stuck themselves to the rollers.” He expressed his frustration over Ferrari's actions, saying, “It’s gotten out of control; to the point that it will soon be pointless believing anything you read about its cars through the usual channels, because the only way you get access is playing by its rules.”

The boldness of Harris’ claims left Ferrari unimpressed. The company, known for its meticulous control over how its vehicles are portrayed in the media, took swift action, removing Harris from the list of journalists to whom they would loan cars. For several years, this meant that Harris would not be able to test any new Ferrari models, a significant blow for a car enthusiast and journalist like him.

Chris Harris and Ferrari's Tense Standoff

Despite the ban, Harris continued to make a name for himself in the world of automotive journalism. His YouTube channel gained traction, as did his reputation for honest and expert reviews of high-performance vehicles. In 2013, Harris found himself driving a Ferrari 458 Spider, but under suspicious circumstances. The car was a Ferrari press vehicle, but it had allegedly been loaned to Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson, in turn, lent the car to Harris, an arrangement that would soon catch the attention of Ferrari.

During his review, Harris wasted no time in acknowledging the tension between him and the manufacturer. He jokingly remarked, "This car belongs to Ferrari, and I’m probably not supposed to be driving it, but I’m not going to dwell on that." In the video, Harris tested the 458 Spider's oversteer capabilities and concluded that it was "an absurdly good car to drive." The video quickly amassed over a million views, further solidifying Harris’ influence in the automotive world.

While the review was a success with viewers, it put Harris back on Ferrari’s radar. However, despite their differences, Ferrari soon realized the value of Harris' candid approach to reviewing cars. The Italian automaker called a truce with Harris and began lending him cars once more. It was a return to form for Harris, who was once again behind the wheel of Ferraris for his highly anticipated reviews.

Reconciliation and Return to Ferrari

The turn of events showed that, despite the friction between Harris and Ferrari, both sides understood the importance of the relationship. Ferrari, with its reputation for precision engineering and excellence, recognized the value in having an honest critic like Harris behind the wheel of its cars. On the other hand, Harris' unapologetic approach to journalism had won him the respect of car enthusiasts and manufacturers alike, making him a figure who could not be ignored.

Though Harris' time with Ferrari may have been tumultuous, it demonstrated how a strong, independent voice in the automotive industry can impact even the most powerful brands. Today, Harris is once again able to drive and review Ferraris, a testament to his enduring influence and the eventual reconciliation between the passionate journalist and the prestigious carmaker.

This chapter in Harris' career highlights the importance of transparency and integrity in automotive journalism, as well as the occasionally fragile relationship between journalists and manufacturers. It also serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the fiercest conflicts can be resolved with mutual respect.