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Is Ferrari preparing to race at Le Mans?

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Khatir Soltani
Despite benefiting from enormous media coverage in Formula 1, it's becoming more and more obvious that Ferrari is having second thoughts about its involvement in auto racing's superlative series. I mean, there are some crystal-clear signs out there.

With a rough start this season, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has been openly criticizing the new technical regulations including, of course, the turbo hybrid power units.

On Sunday, Montezemolo confirmed sending a letter to Bernie Ecclestone and CVC president Donald McKenzie in which he urged all the sport's key players and officials to meet to discuss the current state of Formula 1.

Ferrari's leading man believes F1 needs to regain its luster, because things aren't looking very bright right now.

At the same time, one of its drivers, Fernando Alonso, waved the green flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

After the race, Montezemolo publicly lauded the success of the Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 No. 51 in LMGTE Pro Class –something he’d never done before.

Rumours have been floating around for weeks about Ferrari working on an LMP1 class prototype. It must be said that the new turbo hybrid power unit in F1 is almost a perfect fit for endurance racing.

Do you remember this video from the past winter showing a LaFerrari in Fiorano with an odd turbo whistle?



At the time, everyone assumed it was the new F1 engine. What if it was actually a test for an LMP1 car?

By entering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Ferrari would take on other leading automakers such as Audi, Porsche, Toyota, and Nissan.

Time will tell what the Scuderia's true intentions are -- leave Formula 1 for endurance racing, or use that threat to get what it wants from BernieĀ  Ecclestone and the FIA.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada