Ferrari May Bring Back Stick Shifts—but Not for Everyone

• Ferrari is considering a manual transmission return—but only in ultra-limited Icona models.

• Lewis Hamilton is pushing for a spiritual F40 successor, dubbed the F44, with a traditional stick shift.

• The revival may require engine torque limitations to keep the clutch manageable for human legs.

The Gated Manual May Return to Ferrari — But There’s a Catch

It’s been over a decade since Ferrari last offered a manual transmission, and for purists, that dry spell has felt like a lifetime. But now, the Prancing Horse is teasing a comeback for the clutch pedal—and not just in spirit. According to product development boss Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari is actively considering a return of the iconic gated shifter. But don’t get your hopes up unless you’re in the financial stratosphere.

Ferrari’s exploration into manual territory wouldn’t extend to its mainstream supercars like the 812 Superfast successor or the 12Cilindri, but rather to its hyper-exclusive Icona lineup, which includes rolling sculptures like the Monza SP1/SP2 and Daytona SP3. These cars are built in minuscule numbers, cost several million dollars, and are aimed squarely at collectors and connoisseurs of the brand’s heritage.

“In terms of mechanical gearchanges, it’s something that could be in the future, depending on product,” Fulgenzi told Car Sales, hinting that the manual could reappear—but only on an Icona.

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Hamilton’s F44 Dream: A Stick-Shift Ferrari to Revive the F40 Spirit

The most intriguing twist in this tale? Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s newest F1 driver, is keen to build a car inspired by the legendary Ferrari F40, ideally branded the F44, reflecting his racing number.

“One of the things I really want to do is I want to design a Ferrari. I want to do an F44. Baseline of an F40, with the actual stick shift. That's what I'm gonna work on for the next few years,” Hamilton revealed.

His vision could be more than a fantasy. Ferrari is reportedly warming to the idea of a modern-day F40 homage with driving purity prioritized over outright lap times—a rarity in the era of hybrid hypercars and multi-mode drive systems.

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A Manual Ferrari? There’s a Torque-Heavy Price to Pay

Before anyone gets too excited, there’s a technical catch. The clutch required to tame Ferrari’s latest naturally aspirated V12s would be Herculean in feel—unless Ferrari deliberately limits engine torque for manual-equipped models.

Fulgenzi was candid: “You’d need a very big leg,” referencing the muscle power needed to operate a traditional clutch with today’s high-output engines like the 12Cilindri’s 678 Nm V12.

Ironically, even Cadillac managed to cram a livable clutch into the CTS-V’s 659 lb-ft torque output. But Ferrari? They want the experience to be special—even if it means sacrificing performance numbers and comfort.

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Manual Is Making a Comeback in Elite Circles

This isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about reclaiming the joy of driving. Other elite marques are already leading the charge:

Fernando Alonso’s influence at Aston Martin led to the Valiant—an extreme, manual-only V12 beast built because he wanted something “spikier” than the already extreme Valour. Hamilton could very well follow suit with Ferrari.

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Will the F44 Ever See the Light?

No official word yet from Maranello, but the ingredients are all there:

• A legendary inspiration (the F40)

• A new star (Hamilton)

• A heritage-focused platform (Icona)

• A rising trend of manual comeback in ultra-premium cars

And if the F44 does happen, it won’t be a track-time-chasing spaceship. It’ll be a love letter to tactile driving, downshifts you feel in your bones, and that metallic clink of a gated shifter.

For now, enthusiasts can only watch—and maybe start doing some squats just in case Ferrari delivers on the “big leg” requirement.

 Click here for more detailed images of all Ferrari Icona models and prototypes.