Ferrari P1 Rumours

[The Badger]

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-19766.html

Just found this nice little bit compliments of End-Info .

Indeed , all the bits are there . Todt in at Fia with good connections to both ACO , and Ferrari , big names to compete against with Audi , Porsche , Toyota , Honda ..... to name a few ..... and a World status championship .


Oh , Please let it be , and please let them find away to race a 4L V12 , a screamer economically !

And google translated .....

We told you a few weeks ago that the Ferrari LMP1 project was not dead and a recent article by Auto Motor Und Sport puts a little oil on the fire as a possible arrival of Ferrari LMP1 in 2015 . It is still too early to reveal anything especially since we have no confirmation of such a program. We know we just think the side of Maranello. With the presence of Audi, Toyota, Porsche, Nissan, the Italian brand could find serious opponents all the new regulations could attract. Ferrari has paved the way with its 599 HY-KERS presented in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show. There are now equipped with the new LA Ferrari HY-KERS system combining a 800 horsepower V12 with a 163 horsepower electric motor. The new Formula 1 engines could allow Ferrari to expand its presence in Endurance beyond a presence in GTE with AF Corse. We know the ties that bind and AF Corse Ferrari. Structure Amato Ferrari actually shines in LMP2 with the maintenance of Pecom Racing ORECA 03.



A decision is expected by the end of the year but 50 years after the victory of a Ferrari 250 LM 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Italian brand may well be seduced by an endurance program. Should this be the case, the World Endurance Championship this could only find up above there is a real technological challenge behind. The arrival of Porsche, Audi pursuing the Nissan project, the possible return of Alpine, the Michelin Total Performance and Endurance World Championship in place are positive signs for the future ...



Laurent Mercier

[Fogelhund]

This has been well discussed in the Sportscar rumours thread.

[The Badger]

Maybe so ..... but its big enough to warrant its own thread I would suggest , from continued smoke and rumors .

[DistortedSmile]

I think they could do this very easily if they wanted to, as has been suggested here before, they're one of the few people who could raise enough sponsorship to pay for a large part of the program, they already have a suitable powertrain in place and they wouldn't need to divert a lot of attention from F1 or create a new team for this program, they could just have someone like AF Corse run the cars (under the Scuderia Ferrari banner).

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

I think they could do this very easily if they wanted to, as has been suggested here before, they're one of the few people who could raise enough sponsorship to pay for a large part of the program, they already have a suitable powertrain in place and they wouldn't need to divert a lot of attention from F1 or create a new team for this program, they could just have someone like AF Corse run the cars (under the Scuderia Ferrari banner).

I agree, and they also might need a diversion from F1 where they just keep getting their butts kicked by Red Bull.

DK

[The Badger]

I reckon they could do it easy . Dallara built chassis , run by AF Corse , supported by Ferrari with a decent engine .

It just takes that nod down in Modena ..... This would be wildfire news for the Championship , customers running them because of what it is (Ferrari) this could really get some spin into the whole range of championships .

The new version of the Porsche Versus Ferrari days ..... now tell me you cant market that !!!

[MoMedic9019]

I think they would be quite noncompetitive in the current climate. Audi has this game by the cajones, and until the ACO bring everyone (audi)back a peg or three, nothing with change.

The Petrol/Diesel equivalency needs to ironed out. Audi is far too efficient that anything less than cutting their fuel load in half, will change anything drastically.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

I think they would be quite noncompetitive in the current climate. Audi has this game by the cajones, and until the ACO bring everyone (audi)back a peg or three, nothing with change.

To say that Ferrari would be noncompetitive is almost an oxymoron. If they put their mind to it, they can build a competitive car. Of course Audi is king and it might take a few years to beat them consistently but I'm sure they could make a car that can compete. Just like Porsche won't likely beat them in year one, they will likely be competitive within a few races.

DK

[MoMedic9019]

The thing is this...if you plan on racing P1, and you want to beat Audi, it takes all of the resources you can muster. You can't half ass it the way Toyota has been.

Ferrari will not do that either. F1 is their cash cow. They could give a damn about sportscars beyond the GTE program. The 333sp was the last one, but the rules have changed to favor diesel power.

[Scooter185]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

I think they would be quite noncompetitive in the current climate. Audi has this game by the cajones, and until the ACO bring everyone (audi)back a peg or three, nothing with change.

The Petrol/Diesel equivalency needs to ironed out. Audi is far too efficient that anything less than cutting their fuel load in half, will change anything drastically.

under the current regs yes, we'll have to wait and see how the parity shakes out under the new regs.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

The thing is this...if you plan on racing P1, and you want to beat Audi, it takes all of the resources you can muster. You can't half ass it the way Toyota has been.

Ferrari will not do that either. F1 is their cash cow. They could give a damn about sportscars beyond the GTE program. The 333sp was the last one, but the rules have changed to favor diesel power.

Fiat has all the resources they need. If they want to do P1, they will do it right, not in a half-baked manner. With Audi, Porsche, Toyota et al in the class, Ferrari will not compete unless they are at a competitive level. My guess is they will either commit the resources or they won't enter P1.

DK

[David Land]

We should just re-title this thread 'The Never-ending Saga of Ferrari's Return To Le Mans' now just to save confusion.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

The thing is this...if you plan on racing P1, and you want to beat Audi, it takes all of the resources you can muster. You can't half ass it the way Toyota has been.

Ferrari will not do that either. F1 is their cash cow. They could give a damn about sportscars beyond the GTE program. The 333sp was the last one, but the rules have changed to favor diesel power.

Why even waste time in the current regs? Diesel is heavily favored. For a half-assed attempt Toyota did well. Won 3 races last year and placed 2nd at LeMans this year. Throwing money at a car won't change the regs. Thats why 2014 has so many prospects because its finally close.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

The thing is this...if you plan on racing P1, and you want to beat Audi, it takes all of the resources you can muster. You can't half ass it the way Toyota has been.

Ferrari will not do that either. F1 is their cash cow. They could give a damn about sportscars beyond the GTE program. The 333sp was the last one, but the rules have changed to favor diesel power.

Toyota halfed assed it , ha haa ..... utter rubbish .

F1 is their cash cow ..... morelike cash dump .

They could give a damn ..... means they care beyond GTE .

If Ferrari do come back , they will hit the track runnin and there will be a lot more bop doled out to even up Diesel/Petrol .

[MoMedic9019]

I don't think it is rubbish. Why not two cars for the duration of the season? There is a ton to learn, and they aren't doing it. Ferrari make a redic. amount of money from F1 merchandise sales, and branding. We have yet to see proper BoP, Ferrari coming in won't change the equivalency. If that was the case the ACO would do something right.

[Thaw Daggerslash]

Official word from Ferrari from, err...Top Gear.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/f...mp1-2013-08-01

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

Ferrari coming in won't change the equivalency.

Wanna bet .

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Wanna bet .

Toyota didn't. Why is Ferrari any different?

[Mal]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

Toyota didn't. Why is Ferrari any different?

Because Ferrari is the biggest single marketing coup that the ACO could dream of coming to Le Mans.

[Maelochs]

I firmly believe FIA Did play with the equivalency before Toyota announced its intent to enter the sereis---in fact I firmly beklieve Toyota execs approached FIA execs and said, "Keep tweaking if you want a third team in WEC."

FIA had been dialing back diesels for quite a while, after even the most casual fan noticed that the diesels had an impossible advantage.

The new regs are Entirely new. I do not doubt at all that if it turns out FIA didn't get some of the equivalencies right they will revisit them, Ferrari or not.

Would they give Ferrari a huge break? I doubt it. Even though we all talk about the huge breaks Audi got, we seem not to talk about the fact that Peugeot, a French team, got those same breaks. In fact, Diesels got huge breaks, not any specific team.

I doubt FIA would help out Ferrari because there would be too many other teams involved---how could FIA help Just Ferrari? If FIA made blatantly specific pro-Ferrari rules, it would cause massive problems with the other teams, and if they just boosted energy equivalency to help petrol cars, Porsche and Toyota would also benefit.

[The Badger]

If Ferrari blow their horn , the ACO will jump to attention .

The best the ACO really could do , is balance the diesel/petrol issue , and give everyone a real chance . I expect this will happen if Ferrari come along .

[Dario911]

Now by now, I think these are just rumors. It's not the first time it happens. First of all Autosprint, wich is the main italian motorsport magazine (very, very well introduced in Ferrari) has never talked about this. No rumors, no news about Ferrari P1 project.
Then, we have to consider Maranello has always played about Le Mans interest when things were not going right in Formula 1. They shown interest in Le Mans every time they need a change or rules in Formula 1, as it happened few years ago. As it was with Indy, too.
Do you remember?
Then I don't think Ferrari may be interested in Le Mans in a bad situation like the one they're living in Formula 1. First to be involved in P1 program, I think they must recover the gap from Red Bull, Lotus and co. They must come on top in their main field, before to come back in Endurance.
Otherwise, it would sound as an escape for Ferrari and not as a new challenge for italian manufacturer.
"For over 60 years, Formula One has been a part of Ferrari's DNA and our commitment to the sport will continue so long as it remains a relevant platform that can guarantee the highest level of technology, research and development for our road cars, while providing a fair and genuine sporting contest."
These words reported in TG article, were by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, interviewed from Auto magazine.
Auto magazine is one of the main italian car magazine, and is the owner of Autosprint magazine...
If someone had talked about P1 project, I bet they would have reported the news on Autosprint..............
I think these are just summer talks.

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by The Badger

If Ferrari blow their horn , the ACO will jump to attention .

The best the ACO really could do , is balance the diesel/petrol issue , and give everyone a real chance . I expect this will happen if Ferrari come along .

I think we will see how it all lays out with a petrol powered Porsche. If there is still a lopsided balance, which there will be, Ferrari won't matter.

[jimclark]

BLAAAHH, Blaaahhh, blaaaahhhh....

I haven't "felt" a real Ferrari sportscar effort since the sixties...

[FstrthnU]

There may be a little connecting of the dots with F1 silly season.

If Ferrari is looking for a new 2nd driver to support Alonso (like Kimi), then they could be making plans to move Felipe Massa to the LMP1 project to help test in 2014.

Ferrari would probably use Felipe Massa, Marc Gené (2009 LM winner), Giancarlo Fisichella and someone else for the full-season effort in 2015.