Photo: Denison Yachting
There are several automotive-inspired luxury yachts out there, but few of them feature actual car parts and racing car memorabilia. This truly iconic superyacht is a living tribute to the Ferrari legacy and a trailblazer for the famous Riva brand. Despite its superstar status, Race is no longer in the hands of its equally famous original owner, heir to the Ferrari fortune. Starting this month, a new owner will get to enjoy cruising onboard this ultra-luxurious masterpiece.
Superyachts like Race are born instant legends. It was custom-built for Pierro Ferrari himself, who still owns 10% of Ferrari and is also a stakeholder and board member of the prestigious Ferretti Group, which is the parent company of Riva. The Ferrari heir was not only deeply involved in every step of the yacht's creation but also gave it a unique racing flavor through some very special customizations.
Even without the magical Ferrari touch, Race was a trailblazer. Launched in 2019, it was the first 50-meter (164-foot) Riva superyacht and, at the time, the biggest Riva ever built. The iconic Italian brand is mostly known for its fast, sleek boats, but it eventually made its way into superyacht territory as well. Race paved the way for the larger Riva yachts that followed. Designed in collaboration with Officina Italiano Design, this contemporary beast had to remain faithful to the Riva DNA.
Boasting a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, Race was built with lightweight materials used in aviation and even in Formula One cars in order to lower the final weight as much as possible. This was a key element for top performance: at 14 knots, Race burns only 300 liters per hour. At a cruising speed of 11 knots, it can cover up to 3,500 nautical miles effortlessly, thanks to its powerful 1,360hp MTU 8V 4000 M63 engines.
A custom-designed media room close to the huge master suite doubles as a Ferrari heaven on board, packed with Pierro's unique Formula One memorabilia. The yacht's bridge is another tribute to Ferrari and racing. The steering wheel was custom-made from a single piece of titanium, and it was one of the most expensive items on board; the helm seat was an authentic driver's seat taken from a Ferrari California; adding this seat wasn't at all simple, and it required a lot of high-precision work to adjust it.
In addition to the fine details inspired by the Riva legacy and the stunning Ferrari customizations, Race also boasts extreme elegance. Unlike the cookie-cutter style of most contemporary superyachts, this Italian gem reveals bold, masculine colors and the most luxurious materials. It was also specifically designed to maximize openness and to offer expansive, uninterrupted views.
Although spacious enough to accommodate up to 12 guests in total comfort, Race's original owner was known to have six guests at most on board. Ferrari enjoyed his fabulous pleasure craft discretely and decided to part with it after only five years. Of course, he owns several other luxury yachts and will probably replace this Riva with a shiny new toy. Still, Race made its way into the unofficial Superyachts’ Hall of Fame, which makes it priceless. The new owner paid somewhere around €32,9 million ($35.3 million), but what he got is a unique piece of both yachting and automotive history that is worth so much more.
Even without the magical Ferrari touch, Race was a trailblazer. Launched in 2019, it was the first 50-meter (164-foot) Riva superyacht and, at the time, the biggest Riva ever built. The iconic Italian brand is mostly known for its fast, sleek boats, but it eventually made its way into superyacht territory as well. Race paved the way for the larger Riva yachts that followed. Designed in collaboration with Officina Italiano Design, this contemporary beast had to remain faithful to the Riva DNA.
Boasting a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, Race was built with lightweight materials used in aviation and even in Formula One cars in order to lower the final weight as much as possible. This was a key element for top performance: at 14 knots, Race burns only 300 liters per hour. At a cruising speed of 11 knots, it can cover up to 3,500 nautical miles effortlessly, thanks to its powerful 1,360hp MTU 8V 4000 M63 engines.
A custom-designed media room close to the huge master suite doubles as a Ferrari heaven on board, packed with Pierro's unique Formula One memorabilia. The yacht's bridge is another tribute to Ferrari and racing. The steering wheel was custom-made from a single piece of titanium, and it was one of the most expensive items on board; the helm seat was an authentic driver's seat taken from a Ferrari California; adding this seat wasn't at all simple, and it required a lot of high-precision work to adjust it.
In addition to the fine details inspired by the Riva legacy and the stunning Ferrari customizations, Race also boasts extreme elegance. Unlike the cookie-cutter style of most contemporary superyachts, this Italian gem reveals bold, masculine colors and the most luxurious materials. It was also specifically designed to maximize openness and to offer expansive, uninterrupted views.
Although spacious enough to accommodate up to 12 guests in total comfort, Race's original owner was known to have six guests at most on board. Ferrari enjoyed his fabulous pleasure craft discretely and decided to part with it after only five years. Of course, he owns several other luxury yachts and will probably replace this Riva with a shiny new toy. Still, Race made its way into the unofficial Superyachts’ Hall of Fame, which makes it priceless. The new owner paid somewhere around €32,9 million ($35.3 million), but what he got is a unique piece of both yachting and automotive history that is worth so much more.
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