Just like in Formula 1, the F430 driver can change the set-up of his car using the innovative selector set on the steering wheel. The manettino is a rotary switch that has been adopted directly from racing, where the driver's total commitment to driving requires maximum efficiency and speed in controlling the car's various functions. This switch quickly and simply controls the electronics governing suspension settings, the CST stability and traction control, E-Diff and the change speed of the F1 transmission, as well as the integration between each of these individual functions. The position of the manettino is an example of the rationalisation studies that went into the layout of all the controls inside the car.

The manettino enables car settings to be changed to suit the personal preferences of the driver, road surface conditions and available grip. The settings available to the driver have been concentrated in five different strategies. These, in ascending order according the level of performance (grip), are:

ICE: performance is significantly restricted (maximum intervention by the stability and traction control) for maximum stability - indispensable for driving in very slippery conditions (snow or ice). The car reacts smoothly to driving inputs. The automatic gear-changing mode is selected which prevents gear changes at high revs and reduces the possibility of the rear wheels locking up on downchanges, even on ice.

LOW GRIP: this position ensures stability both on dry and wet surfaces. It is therefore recommended for surfaces with poor grip (rain), gritty roads or particularly broken or undulating tarmac. In this configuration, unlike ICE, the driver can still use the F1 paddle shift. The adaptive suspension setting is optimised to provide a very comfortable ride without impeding the handling balance, and the stability and traction control remains in the ICE configuration.

SPORT: this is the standard setting that strikes the best balance between stability and performance. Ideal for the open road, this position provides an optimum compromise for maximum performance and safety. Compared to the previous settings, SPORT adopts a more sporting configuration for the adaptive suspension to maximise performance, handling and stability at high speeds. The CST also goes up a level, giving the driver greater freedom, without excessively reigning in the engine.

RACE: this setting must be used only on the race track. Gear changing is even faster to minimise gear shifting times. CST intervention is reduced to a minimum (the engine management only cuts the engine when absolutely necessary). The damping also goes up one level.

CST: activates or deactivates the stability and traction control. With the manettino set to off, the driver has full control over the car's reactions. The only driver aids that remain active are those that cannot be overridden such as ABS and EBD (electronic brake distribution). With the CST de-activated, the electronic differential has a specific calibration which permits the car's incredible levels of handling and roadholding when free of stability controls. Gear shift speeds and damper settings are the same as in RACE. Over and above the significant technological breakthrough that the manettino represents, the approach to the new F430 underlines the importance given to exploiting the potential of the vehicle while maintaining ease of use under all conditions without jeopardising safety and stability. This has led to a new way of conceiving the car, which is not only based on the use of new technical features (eg. electronic differential, stability and traction control, and adaptive damping) but also on the improvement of Ferrari's tried and tested technologies (F1 gearbox, advanced engine control) and the optimisation of their integration. The adoption of stability and traction control (CST) together with the electronic differential has made the car even more stable, easier and safer to drive without affecting its handling and the excellent feedback the chassis gives the driver. The system ensures maximum safety in all driving conditions (from extreme track use to town driving) and on all road surfaces (rain or dry, or even ice). The CST intervenes in a smooth, unobtrusive way only as and when needed, without taking the driver's mind off what he or she is doing.