Ferrari P1 Rumours

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by Simmi

They wouldn't be able to do that as a works team.

Why not???

[Maelochs]

No factory teams in P2, I would guess. Not sure on the precise wording of the rules, or the precise definition of "factory team," but my understanding is, that P2 is a privateer-only class. Michelotto? NART?

[deggis]

"LE MANS" PROTOTYPE ("LM" P1): open or closed (*) car,
destined more especially to Manufacturers.

"LE MANS" PROTOTYPE 2 ("LM" P2): open or closed (*)
car, destined only to teams independent of manufacturers
and/or engine suppliers.

The cars that may be considered as "factory cars", whose
technical characteristics and level of development are clearly
not complying with the objectives of the LMP2 regulations
may be refused by the Endurance Committee.

....

[David Land]

Originally Posted by Simmi

They wouldn't be able to do that as a works team.

They could in the US.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by David Land

They could in the US.

Don't know how it works to be honest. Pretty grey area really. If they want to homologate a P2 to race in USCC they'd need to do that though the ACO, right?

DP is different altogether. But to be honest it was just a random thought from a fellow forumer. No substance to it that we know of.

[TF110]

Maybe there may be some more to this if AF Corse aren't in GTE? They sell countless 458 GTs and GT3s, so a private team may take the helm for Ferrari and leave AF to run lmp1? Just reaching here. Trying to make connections.

[Acid09]

The LMP2 idea makes no sense.

According to those rumors, one of Ferrari's main motivations to even consider LMP1 is that they want to race against the big automakers again.

So why would they enter a class were factories are forbidden to compete? It's the opposite of what they supposedly want.

[CyberMotor]

It seems the 'factories' are using petrol/diesel four wheel drive, quad electrical motors to produce over 1000 HP while harvesting kinetic energy according to the rumors. Honda is not ready for this so should we expect Ferrari to be ready?

The challenge for automotive innovation and relevance is in WEC, not F1.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

Honda is not ready for this so should we expect Ferrari to be ready?

Why are you comparing small budget HDP customer program to what Ferrari would be spending? In anycase these rumors if they even really qualify as a rumors are not saying Ferrari is doing anything in LMPs in 2014.

The challenge for automotive innovation and relevance is in WEC, not F1.

What's the difference between a modern turbo engine with multiple ERSes (WEC) and a modern turbo engine with multiple ERSes (F1)?

[TF110]

F1 2014 may be a hit, or maybe not for Ferrari in terms of engine. If it is maybe then they can contemplate a P1 program. Ferrari isn't poor, plus FIAT have their back

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

The challenge for automotive innovation and relevance is in WEC, not F1.

Ferrari has F1-sized resources at their disposal. As competitive as LMP1 is, an F1-sized outfit can build a competitive LMP1 car no doubt - Look at what TMG is doing even with a limited budget.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by Acid09

Ferrari has F1-sized resources at their disposal. As competitive as LMP1 is, an F1-sized outfit can build a competitive LMP1 car no doubt - Look at what TMG is doing even with a limited budget.

I'm not following as closely as I used to....what is "TMG"

[cmk]

Toyota Motorsport GmbH, which is the name of the subsidiary outfit in Cologne that has run the rally program, F1 and now the P1 program.

[Maelochs]

Ferrari has F1-style resources at their disposal ... which they are sopending unsuccessfully in F1. A full-on P1 program might be a little elss, but is still phenomenally expensive, and no more guaranteed to succeed.

Sure, they could go the cheap route---and earn the same load of crap that so many people have been dumping on Toyota, and probably a lot more so, because Ferrari is so much more of an important brand with such an important racing heritage.

On the plus side ... Ferrari could become known as a race team? Too late for that, eh?

I hope Ferrari rejoins P1, but I cannot think of a good reason why they would.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Ferrari has F1-style resources at their disposal ... which they are sopending unsuccessfully in F1. A full-on P1 program might be a little elss, but is still phenomenally expensive, and no more guaranteed to succeed.

Sure, they could go the cheap route---and earn the same load of crap that so many people have been dumping on Toyota, and probably a lot more so, because Ferrari is so much more of an important brand with such an important racing heritage.

On the plus side ... Ferrari could become known as a race team? Too late for that, eh?

I hope Ferrari rejoins P1, but I cannot think of a good reason why they would.

I can! So they're not racing "just a drinks company". Seriously, P1 has 4 manufacturers (if Honda is there) next year, possibly 5 if Nissan go forward from G56. F1 has 3, unless you count Caterham and Lotus

[Mal]

The Fiat group are far more likely to enter sportscars with Maserati or Alfa than with Ferrari.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by TF110

I can! So they're not racing "just a drinks company". Seriously, P1 has 4 manufacturers (if Honda is there) next year, possibly 5 if Nissan go forward from G56. F1 has 3, unless you count Caterham and Lotus

You forgot certain Japanese manufacturer's (Honda) re-entry to F1, which has been actually officially announced & confirmed unlike this certain other Japanese manufacturer's (Nissan) at this point completely imaginery P1 entry

[Simmi]

A full Honda works P1 effort is about as likely as a Ferrari one IMO.

Next to no chance.

[BSchneiderFan]

I can't see Ferrari diverting resources away from winning in F1 in order to go sportscar racing. The Old Man's decision still stands. The only way you'd see them back in prototypes, I suspect, is on a customer basis like with the 333 SP.

[Maelochs]

Considering Honda is building a P1 customer engine and has a design in hand, I'd say the chances are slightly better that Honda would enter P1 than Ferrari, which has had nothing to do with sports cars in well over a decade.

I would imagine Honda would farm out its efforts (Hello, Highcroft) and use other people's money for what would be a de facto works team.

[Velociraptor]

Originally Posted by Mal

The Fiat group are far more likely to enter sportscars with Maserati or Alfa than with Ferrari.

FIAT is in a very bad situation.
If they don't succeed in buying full stake in Chrysler, they might be looking at bankruptcy and selling off their brands.
I highly doubt they have resources to invest in a LMP1 project.

[Pandamasque]

Someone PLEASE fix the grammar in the thread title! That apostrophe is driving me OCD)).

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I can't see Ferrari diverting resources away from winning in F1 in order to go sportscar racing. The Old Man's decision still stands. The only way you'd see them back in prototypes, I suspect, is on a customer basis like with the 333 SP.

Except nowadays F1 cost-cutting regulations and agreements do not allow Ferrari to fully use their available resources anyway...

Originally Posted by Velociraptor

FIAT is in a very bad situation.
If they don't succeed in buying full stake in Chrysler, they might be looking at bankruptcy and selling off their brands.
I highly doubt they have resources to invest in a LMP1 project.

Ferrari on the other hand have never been in better financial health.

[asganaway]

Originally Posted by Velociraptor

FIAT is in a very bad situation.
If they don't succeed in buying full stake in Chrysler, they might be looking at bankruptcy and selling off their brands.

FIAT bankrupt? it will never happen because italian government will force citizens to pay debts. Already happened in early 2000 when FIAT tried to merge with GM.

[MoMedic9019]

It's mostly because FIAT builds boring cars, I wanted a 500, but, I don't fit...and the others eh...they remind me of some horrible 90's cars.

[MoMedic9019]

If we do happen to see a P1, it's likely going to be a factory designed, Michelotto/Dallara built customer car. With the engine regs being what they are, and some better equivalency between petrol and diesel, it potentially would allow Ferrari to enter a customer car. If this happens, which it likely wont, I would expect to see in no sooner than 2015, probably 2016.