The Fiorano test track was built in 1972 close to the Maranello plant, Enzo Ferrari's own brainchild. It is an experimental track where Ferrari racing and GT cars are tested. It is used by drivers for test and practice driving, and by mechanics and the racing team for training. An experimental track is very different from a racing circuit for at least two important reasons: the absence of spectators and the presence on the track of only one car at a time.

The test track stands beside two main roads, nos. 12 and 467. The complex fits into the natural environment without spoiling it and maintains "rural" features that were considered psychologically positive as opposed to a purely technical environment. The fact that average weather conditions in the foothills of the province of Modena tend to be good, means that the track can be used regularly.

The geometric layout of the track is typical of a regular road. It has a tortuosity index of 1.24, with 1,661 metres of bends and 1,339 metres of straights. The length of the standard course is 3,000 metres, extended to 3,021 metres by the new chicane built in 1992. The average speed for the course is over 160 km/h, with peaks of more than 290 km/h.

The amount of straight road and bends was designed to solve specific problems: a balance between right and left bends, bends with a differentiated radius, from 13.71 to 370 metres; bends with different features having one or more centres. Although convinced that it was impossible to repeat bends typical of other race tracks, the designers did try to include elements that resembled the salient features of some European courses. Bend no. 1 is used to assess car behaviour when braking hard. Bends 2 and 9 (sharp bends to left and right) to verify brakes when turning into the bend and engine elasticity when leaving it. The next two equal radius bends, 4 and 5, were designed to verify centrifugal effects on fuel supply and handling between left and right. The uphill slope, with its 6.5% incline as from bend 6, and the straight between bends 6 and 7, with a number of ups and downs including a first hump, a dip and another hump, were designed to highlight variations in stability during car trajectory transients. The road between curves 10 and 14 was intended to highlight overall car performance, particularly from an aerodynamic viewpoint. Chicane 15 provides a good indication of engine and chassis behaviour during acceleration, particularly relating to drive.

The exposure to the sunlight is particularly good in the most difficult parts of the track. The two yellow lines on the roadsides highlight the route constantly. The camber, which is never less than 2.5%, guarantees rain water drainage.

A "steering pad" was built on the northern border, between bends 3 and 4, to measure tyre deflection as well as suspension and general behaviour on bends. There are 5 lanes each 5 metres wide, and one 4-metre wide lane; the minimum radius is 25 metres, the maximum 55 metres.

Elastic barriers are positioned where necessary along the course and to guide cars into the underpass, with lights extending for 18 metres. There are also safety areas with gravel beds full of smooth stones, at the end of the escape roads of bends 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 and 13.

The circuit is fitted with a computerised system which sends all the information necessary for vehicle development to the pits: technical measurements, speed, lap times and all other technical and chronometric data necessary. A closed circuit television system with 10 fixed cameras films the cars at all points on the course.

The pits positioned beside the straight contain the television, timing and computer control room. The track is equipped with a fire engine and other extinguishers in set positions, in addition to an emergency ambulance. The area is completely fenced in. The main entrance is on the South side, but there is another entrance on the North, from the main road to Modena. There is a general services area, with a workshop for small maintenance jobs, an entrance car park for vehicles, a management and service centre and visitors centre.