Ferrari P1 Rumours

[urdragon]

That definitelly is a GT not a LMP, you can judge by the sound but they say its a F1 2014 engine.

Video of that shot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3H6Jxisfk

[TF110]

I figured it was obvious theyre engine testing in their La Ferrari. More than likely the F1 engine for next year.

[Richard C]

Given the potential for getting something wrong with the 2014 engines in both F1 and Prototypes (i.e. someone else figures out a better mousetrap right out of the gate and it is not you), I can't imagine Ferrari would be spending any resources toward two engine programs (even if they would share a great deal).

Given that they are not setting the world on fire in F1, I expect they are focused 100% on the 2014 F1 engine and chassis right now. Then... If all goes well in 2014, they "might" entertain a prototype program. Even then, I just don't see it happening (as cool as it might be).

I also agree that F1 testing regulations is a prime driver, but if you want to go back even further in the history books, remember that Porsche first road tested the V6 turbo TAG/McLaren F1 engine in a 956 (much to the chagrin of McLaren).

Richard

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Given the potential for getting something wrong with the 2014 engines in both F1 and Prototypes (i.e. someone else figures out a better mousetrap right out of the gate and it is not you), I can't imagine Ferrari would be spending any resources toward two engine programs (even if they would share a great deal).

Given that they are not setting the world on fire in F1, I expect they are focused 100% on the 2014 F1 engine and chassis right now. Then... If all goes well in 2014, they "might" entertain a prototype program. Even then, I just don't see it happening (as cool as it might be).

I also agree that F1 testing regulations is a prime driver, but if you want to go back even further in the history books, remember that Porsche first road tested the V6 turbo TAG/McLaren F1 engine in a 956 (much to the chagrin of McLaren).

Richard

There was even a 911 with the same v6 turbo. It's in the mclaren techcenter. They just don't want you taking pictures of it. So here are 2:

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by NelisB

There was even a 911 with the same v6 turbo. It's in the mclaren techcenter. They just don't want you taking pictures of it. So here are 2:

Thanks! I didn't know that. Do you know the history on that car? Was it used for actual testing, or was it maybe a gift at some point from Porsche to McLaren to celebrate their partnership? My understanding is that the 956 actually didn't work out very well as a test mule, or maybe rather the TAG F1 engine didn't work well in the 956!

Richard

[Mal]

Maybe there finally is some substance to the rumour:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111742

[vincegail]

Starting to look like the late '90s again. Me gusta!

[Mike E]

It's very non-commital statement but it is not a denial.

[Gingers4Justice]

Whether anything comes of it or not, the fact LMP1 is on Ferrari's radar is a massive thumbs up to the new regulations.

As Mike says, it's nothing committal but with Ferrari, any denial is absolutely huge. These are the same noises Nissan were making about a year ago - which has recently changed to something much more firm for 2015.

It's also reassuring that this story comes from Autosport. That magazine takes a lot of criticism, often rightly so, but it's incredibly reliable.

I'm not getting ahead of myself. Chances are we won't see an LMP1 car painted in that famous red colour in this rules cycle. But it's no longer acceptable to hold the position that it's definitely not going to happen.

[Maelochs]

Quote (Emphasis added): Antonello Coletta, who heads up the Italian manufacturer's non-F1 sporting activities ... did not rule out an entry with a Ferrari-built chassis and the F1 turbocharged V6 into the World Endurance Championship at some undetermined point in the future.

"It is normal that Ferrari should screen all opportunities and stand at the window and look in" Coletta told AUTOSPORT. "It is important for us to understand what is available in the future.'

But Coletta stressed that there were no immediate plans for Ferrari to mount its first factory prototype campaign since 1973.

"At the moment we are concentrated on F1, so it would not be possible to do something else," he explained.

-------------------------------------------------------

Translation: "It is important that we investigate the aerial action of porcine quadrupeds, and the timing of such events, and it seems that this other thing might come to pass should these porcine aerial events also occur.

"Yes, I will give you seemingly juicy but actually empty quotes for your article, Mr. Writer. I understand you need to file for a deadline and have no other ideas.

"I can state with absolute honesty that our company is aware of this 'LMP1' class of racing vehicles, and that it is not impossible that our policy regarding them might completely reverse from having Zero Interest to actually having some slight interest, possibly when the aforementioned porcine aviators reach the suddenly frozen tundra of a once-flaming purgatorial region."

In the immortal words of the apocryphal New York cop, "Move along folks. Nothing to see here."

[LC2guy]

However much i would love this to happen, i can't help but remember the last time Ferrari mentioned Le Mans in the Top Class. They mentioned it ( along with Indycar ) to put pressure on the FIA and F1 in general to get their own way. The timing is ironic, as this morning in the F1 Forum, i see Ferrari are arguing for changes to the F1 engine rules because their engine isn't very economical. I really hope to be wrong, and next year sees an anouncement for P1.

[Rodger Davies]

Oh, it's that time again; what do Ferrari want the FIA to do now?

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Translation: "It is important that we investigate the aerial action of porcine quadrupeds, and the timing of such events, and it seems that this other thing might come to pass should these porcine aerial events also occur.

"Yes, I will give you seemingly juicy but actually empty quotes for your article, Mr. Writer. I understand you need to file for a deadline and have no other ideas.

"I can state with absolute honesty that our company is aware of this 'LMP1' class of racing vehicles, and that it is not impossible that our policy regarding them might completely reverse from having Zero Interest to actually having some slight interest, possibly when the aforementioned porcine aviators reach the suddenly frozen tundra of a once-flaming purgatorial region."

In the immortal words of the apocryphal New York cop, "Move along folks. Nothing to see here."

[LC2guy]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Oh, it's that time again; what do Ferrari want the FIA to do now?

This was the quote i saw;

What little information we have been privy to is that it appears that Ferrari are a little wide of the mark in terms of their fuel consumption targets, even moving to have the 100KG limit per race lifted. Renault were the largest opposer to a moving of the goalposts with an additional 20kg's of fuel touted as the figure requested by Ferrari. It's widely regarded that Mercedes are also very marginal in their race simulations and so were sitting on the fence during discussions.


http://somersf1.blogspot.co.uk/2013/...-turbo-at.html

[hondafan37]

Formula 1 to introduce budget cap in 2015
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111798
This new rules could put Ferrari in LMP1 with the rest of the current budget.

[JoestForEver]

Good to see budget cap because it saves small teams. But I don't believe Ferrari can produce a competitive P1 chassis. 333SP is the project of Dallara, and 312P was fifty years or so ago IMO

[deggis]

Even 333 would be too long ago to worth anything now anyway. If you can build a competitive F1 car (or even not so competitive; Toyota), you can probably build a competive LMP1.

[CyberMotor]

Originally Posted by JoestForEver

Good to see budget cap because it saves small teams. But I don't believe Ferrari can produce a competitive P1 chassis. 333SP is the project of Dallara, and 312P was fifty years or so ago IMO

The 333SP was the dream of Giampiero Moretti of MOMO fame. Not sure there is a supporter with the passion like him alive today that wants to see this happen like he did.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by deggis

Even 333 would be too long ago to worth anything now anyway. If you can build a competitive F1 car (or even not so competitive; Toyota), you can probably build a competive LMP1.

Ferrari uses Toyota's windtunnel. As does McLaren and numerous other racing teams for competition or validating their own tunnel's. Pretty sure Toyotas cars were competitive just not winners. No doubt ferrari can build an lmp1 that would compete well.

[SpikerJack]

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/fer...mily-christmas

"Continued development in the GT world and the technology transfer to road cars has always been an integral part of our activity. We have won with the 458 GTE, but I also quite like the idea of racing at Le Mans in the highest category: who knows, maybe one day we can return and win, say thanks and come home. Maybe we should give it some serious consideration…"

[FIRE]

I get tired of Ferrari. Join LMP1 or stop talking about it.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I get tired of Ferrari. Join LMP1 or stop talking about it.

Same story with Nissan. Maybe they should collaborate on a press release campaign about thinking of P1, you know to keep development costs down.

[JacobP]

Would Ferrari have to build a new engine or can they use the F1 V6 engine in prototypes?

[FstrthnU]

Originally Posted by JacobP

Would Ferrari have to build a new engine or can they use the F1 V6 engine in prototypes?

F1 V6 is unlikely to last long enough for endurance racing (even with longer engine-life requirements). There are probably enough differences in the engine regulations to make such a venture very expensive (in addition to F1 engines already costing a fortune). They would also have to modify the ECU and whatnot for different hybrid systems, assuming they can't use the F1 system in LMP1.

[PorscheFanNo1]

Eventhough they cant use the F1 engine directly, surely the coutless hours of engine development put into the new generation F1 engines would be applicable in development of a LMP1 engine, they are similar enough to directly benefit from each other.