13 October 2022
With Ferrari returning to top-tier FIA World Endurance Championship racing next year with the soon-to-be-announced (October 30, I think!) Ferrari Hypercar debut, it will be intriguing to see what, if any, impact on the design of the 16 new vehicles to be launched in 2026.
The new vehicle hasn’t been officially given a moniker but is currently known as Le Mans Hypercar (LMH).
The launch is at the Finali Mondiali held in Imola, which celebrates the end of the Corse Clienti racing season and the final stages of the Ferrari Challenge, a most fitting venue.
It is most significant because the last time Ferrari entered endurance racing was 50 years ago with the Ferrari 312 PB. The Ferrari 312 PB was a Group 6 Prototype-Sports Car introduced in 1971.
The 312 PB had numerous drivers from racing’s glitterati, including Carlos Reutemann, Ronnie Petersen, Jacky Ickx, Mario Andretti et al.
I understand Ferrari intends to showcase the new Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Finali Mondiali; the 296 will be the flagbearer for GT racing from 2023 in the new GT3 category, which is taking over from the long-serving 488 GTE, which has been very successful series for Ferrari.
The 296 is a V6 without hybrid assistance and, like the LMH, will also be competing at Le Mans next year.
