Antonello Coletta, the boss of Ferrari’s sportscar programme, acknowledged that the Italian producer is now ready to develop its WEC hypercar programme past its two manufacturing unit vehicles.
Such an effort would obtain technical help from Ferrari, which has repeatedly acknowledged that the 499P is simply too difficult to run fully unbiased of the manufacturing unit.
If the plan involves fruition it might make Ferrari the primary LMH marque to make its automotive accessible to a privateer staff.
“We are actually going for the potential third automotive,” Coletta mentioned on the eve of the-season ending Bahrain 8 Hours. “We take into account that our data is okay to handle one other automotive.
“I do not know if we can have a 3rd automotive however we’re able to make one other automotive.
“If we can have the situation for subsequent 12 months it must be an choice. But it surely’s not confirmed if it will likely be 2024 or 2025.”
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Images
#51 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi
Coletta made it clear that Ferrari intends on finishing the complete season with the third automotive, fairly than merely boosting its entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Two of Ferrari’s premier class rivals, Cadillac and Porsche, introduced further vehicles to La Sarthe this 12 months.
“If we take into account a 3rd automotive it will likely be for all of the 12 months, not only for Le Mans. there isn’t a curiosity for us to handle only for one race the third automotive,” Coletta added.
It has been steered {that a} third automotive effort may very well be fronted by AF Corse, Ferrari’s present accomplice staff in WEC, with backing from watchmaker Richard Mille.
AF Corse is already effectively versed with the 499P LMH automotive, making it the perfect staff to run a buyer automotive programme.
Requested if AF Corse may very well be behind the deliberate buyer automotive effort, Coletta mentioned: “Is dependent upon the circumstance. If AF Corse have a finances it must be the thought to handle it with AF Corse.
“In any case we have to handle all of the engine components and all of the digital components however that is regular like in F1 like with a buyer staff.”
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Images
#51 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi
One of many two drivers who will drive Ferrari’s hypercar within the Bahrain rookie check is Lilou Wadoux, who’s competing with the AF Corse-run Richard Mille staff in GTE Am after becoming a member of Ferrari’s manufacturing unit GT roster at the beginning of the 12 months.
Wadoux additionally has prototype expertise because of a season within the LMP2 ranks, additionally with Richard Mille, plus a check outing with Toyota precisely 12 months in the past on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.
When questioned if Richard Mille may have an involvement within the potential third automotive entry, Coletta mentioned: “In the meanwhile it must be an choice however not confirmed completely.
“I want to make clear that if Lilou Wadoux and Robert Shwartzman can be within the rookie check it is as a result of [they are] our official drivers for Ferrari and it is regular we organise a rookie check with our drivers.
“But it surely’s fully separate [from] the hypothetical third automotive with them.”
Porsche is at present the one producer promoting its vehicles to prospects in WEC, however its 963 is constructed to the less-complex LMDh guidelines.