The 2025 Maserati GT2 Stradale is overly self-important.

      As a child, I played softball. While I won't go into detail, I can say that, even by softball's standards, it was not a competitive league. Its primary purpose was to foster community, friendships, and provide a fun way to spend weekends. Unfortunately, it didn't fulfill that promise because there were always individuals who took it far too seriously.

      I enjoy winning and being skilled at various activities, and I recognize the importance of doing things correctly. However, there's a suitable time and place for everything—just as the Dodgers aren’t scouting at local church softball games, Toto Wolff isn’t looking for replacements for Hamilton at Maserati Owners’ Club track day events. This makes me question why Maserati decided to launch the new GT2 Stradale as if it were a one-day intensive driving course.

      **The Car**

      The Maserati GT2 Stradale can be seen as either the track-oriented variant of the MC20 or the road-legal version of the new GT2 racecar. Regardless, it boasts the company’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V6 engine, generating 631 horsepower, which is 10 more than the MC20 due to higher boost pressure in the turbos and exhaust manifolds. This makes it the most powerful gas-powered Maserati ever produced. Weighing in at 132 pounds less than the MC20, it accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 201 mph.

      It features a new track-oriented Corsa drive mode with four levels of traction control. Much of the improved aerodynamics and cooling systems stem from the GT2 racer, along with the lighter 20-inch forged aluminum center-lock wheels and revised suspension geometry. The substantial carbon fiber swan-neck rear wing is adjustable. Steering has been recalibrated for track performance, and the bespoke carbon ceramic Brembo brakes now benefit from enhanced cooling. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts quicker than in the MC20.

      **Maserati**

      Inside the car, the new carbon shell seats look impressive and feel just as good. A lot of the carpeting has been removed to reduce weight, exposing the carbon tub. The steering wheel is thicker and features LED shift lights at the top, made from carbon fiber, Alcantara, and blue stitching.

      **A Short Leash**

      Upon arriving at the stunning Circuito Ascari, I was filled with excitement. Four GT2 Stradales, each a different color, were parked outside, promising a thrilling afternoon. We were set for two lapping sessions of four laps each, but my enthusiasm waned slightly when I learned that a Maserati instructor would accompany us, which meant a loss of some of that weight-saving advantage.

      I've attended several first-drive press events, and this setup felt unusual. I thought, "No problem, it's good to have someone to answer questions and help us stay on track." However, once I started driving the Stradale, I found myself being instructed on every aspect: where to brake, when to shift, how to position the car, when to accelerate—it felt unending.

      This might have been acceptable if the constraints weren’t so restrictive and distracting, but unfortunately, they were. I ended up braking earlier, shifting sooner, and overall driving much slower than if I were on my own. Instead of a robust sprint, it felt more like I was taking the GT2 Stradale for a leisurely jog. At one point, the instructor even reached over to upshift for me. I distinctly remember turning in more aggressively than he preferred and being told, “Don’t do that or you’ll start to slide,” despite the video loop in the paddock lounge showing the car doing exactly that.

      Most performance cars come with traction and stability control, perhaps some built-in understeer. On this occasion, in the GT2 Stradale, the instructor was that controlling presence.

      I’m certain there were valid points in the guidance provided. The mantra “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” does hold some truth, and yes, maybe trap speeds would improve if you short-shifted to stay in the boost. But we weren’t there to set lap records or hit every apex perfectly. We wanted to experience what it’s like to push this new Maserati track car to its limits. We wanted to rev out to the redline, explore its drifting capabilities, and above all, have fun. Most importantly, we were there to report on that experience.

      Driving a supercar on a racetrack should feel as delightful as dining at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. It should be exquisitely crafted, supremely luxurious, and an overall enjoyable experience. However, the majority of my time in the GT2 Stradale felt like I was the one in the kitchen being scolded by Gordon Ramsay for missing an ingredient.

      **Finally, Some Good Food**

      After some