Ferrari’s motorsport activities are nowadays synonymous with Formula 1, but in the past, the most successful manufacturer in F1’s history also had a glorious run at Le Mans.
A nine-time winner of the world’s most famous endurance race (last time in 1965), Ferrari may be considering a return to Le Mans from as early as 2015 – if Auto Motor und Sport’s report is accurate. The German magazine says Ferrari is mulling a return to Le Mans 40 years after its last participation as a factory team with the 312PB (pictured).
Obviously, Ferrari can’t compete anywhere else than at the highest level, so a LMP1 sports prototype is the way to go if the Scuderia decides to enter Le Mans. According to the report, the decision will be taken this year, with Ferrari having two main reasons to consider a “Le Mans” participation.
Firstly, Formula 1 regulations and Le Mans regulations will favor hybrids, with Ferrari seeing an opportunity to streamline its costs by entering Le Mans. From 2014, LMP1 prototypes will be allowed to have two hybrid systems (recuperation of kinetic energy and thermal expansion), just like in Formula 1. Ferrari could also adapt the Formula One 1.6-liter V6 engine to power a LMP1 prototype, with another reason being that a Le Mans project would also keep its wind tunnel busy.
One more important reason is the relevance of Le Mans for production cars and the opponents Ferrari would have – Porsche, Audi, Toyota have confirmed 2014 entries, while Nissan and Honda are expected to join Le Mans in the near future.
While we don’t know what the chances are of this happening, we’re sure a duel between Ferrari and Porsche at Le Mans would be something magical to witness.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
