Robert Ebert, a former London-based banker earning millions at Deutsche Bank, was driving his £400,000 Ferrari 458 Spider through a Hong Kong car park tunnel in June 2015 when disaster struck. Admitting he was speeding at around 90km/h in a 30km/h zone, Ebert says he braked hard 84 metres from a sharp corner, feeling his back slide up the seat from the force. The car failed to slow, veered left, and struck 53-year-old security guard Ku Lap-chi, killing him instantly. CCTV captured brake lights flashing but no deceleration. Ebert was convicted of death by dangerous driving, jailed for 21 months (serving 14), and lost his licence for five years. Ferrari engineer Martino Castellari testified for the prosecution that such failure was "not possible." Now, Ebert's UK lawyers at Acuity Law have filed High Court papers questioning if Ferrari knew of brake issues at the time.
Two other British owners report similar ordeals. Accountant Ricardo Dubingong from Swindon was navigating a 60mph Cotswolds lane in his 458 in April 2024 when, attempting a three-point turn near Kempsford primary school, the brakes "went completely" despite frantic pumping. Gearing down from 60 to 45mph, he ditched into a field but hit a tree, breaking his neck and requiring pins in his vertebrae. Company director Tony Bahana, near Bath, claims his Ferrari ignored repeated brake inputs approaching a roundabout at 60mph on a familiar dual carriageway; downshifting barely checked speed to 45-50mph before ploughing through and landing in a Somerset hedge. Both contacted Ferrari, but received no investigation without formal complaints.
These cases coincide with Ferrari's recalls of 23,555 vehicles (2005-2022 models like 458s and 488s) for faulty brake reservoir caps allowing fluid leaks, risking partial or total brake loss. Fixes include cap replacement and software updates for low-fluid warnings. A 2021 US recall warned of injury or death risks; similar actions hit China and Europe in 2022. Ebert's car fell within affected classes, though Ferrari insists fluid levels were adequate and faults differ. In the US, seven ex-owners including Jeffrey Rose (whose Ferrari rolled into a lake) sued in 2024 alleging concealment of defects since 2015; the case settled quietly, terms undisclosed.
Ferrari maintains "no evidence" links these incidents to recalls, prioritising safety and thorough post-accident probes. It attributes Ebert's crash to speeding and human error, denies wrongdoing by Castellari, and notes unknown cases for Dubingong and Bahana lack technical proof. Spokesmen emphasise swift action on credible reports. Yet questions linger: did Ferrari downplay risks? Ebert seeks disclosure on pre-trial knowledge; US plaintiffs claimed fraud.
