Photo: f1fanatic.co.uk
Scuderia Ferrari is reportedly planning to make a 24 Hours of Le Mans comeback in the top LMP1 tier now that the FIA decided to replace F1’s familiar V8 engines with turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 units.
And that’s because the Italians have a few ideas on how to develop a LMP1 prototype around the brand new mill. Nothing’s official, but Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali said the engine “would allow some interesting projects”, which could mean a Le Mans racer.
About five months have passed since Domenicali made that statement and nothing has changed, as Ferrari is still mum on details. However, speculation is again on the rise after Luca di Montezemolo said he likes the idea of racing at Le Mans in the LMP1 category, which hasn’t happened in 40 years.
“We have won with the 458 GTE, but I also quite like the idea of racing at the Le Mans in the highest category: who knows, maybe one day we can return and win, say thanks and come home,” di Montezemolo was quoted saying by Autosport.
The last factory-backed Ferrari to compete in Le Mans’ top category was the 312 PB. The Italians entered three of those 3.0-liter flat-12 race cars in the 1973 event, scoring a second place finish with Arturo Merzario and Carlos Pace taking turns behind the steering wheel.
About five months have passed since Domenicali made that statement and nothing has changed, as Ferrari is still mum on details. However, speculation is again on the rise after Luca di Montezemolo said he likes the idea of racing at Le Mans in the LMP1 category, which hasn’t happened in 40 years.
“We have won with the 458 GTE, but I also quite like the idea of racing at the Le Mans in the highest category: who knows, maybe one day we can return and win, say thanks and come home,” di Montezemolo was quoted saying by Autosport.
The last factory-backed Ferrari to compete in Le Mans’ top category was the 312 PB. The Italians entered three of those 3.0-liter flat-12 race cars in the 1973 event, scoring a second place finish with Arturo Merzario and Carlos Pace taking turns behind the steering wheel.
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