Ferrari’s new LMH hypercar has already covered around 5000km in its first three tests this summer.
Returning the Ferrari factory to the pinnacle of sports car racing at the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans 24 Hours race, the LMH prototype has been at Mugello and Barcelona since its shakedown at Fiorano in early July. I’ve done a few days of testing on both.
Ferrari sports car racing boss Antonello Coletta estimates the total mileage achieved so far at around 5000km. This includes the 200-250km we managed in the three days the new car rolled out in the first week of July.
“We did a lot of kilometers. I’m happy at the moment, but we know we have a long way to go,” said Antonello Coletta.
“One day we had a problem and the next day we didn’t have a problem, so we know we need more consistency.”
“The development program has just begun.”
Antonello Coletta has revealed that Ferrari’s LMH car, which has not yet been given a name or model number, will be called again in the next two weeks.
“The plan to test every two weeks has changed a lot, to be honest,” explained Antette Koretto.
“We are developing the car in the usual way: testing, going back to the factory, looking at the data and working on the car.”
Antonello Coletta has suggested that Ferrari is unlikely to homologate the car until the last minute before its scheduled debut at the opening round of the WEC series in Sebring next March.
According to the rules, LMH or LMDh prototypes must be homologated at least 30 days before their first race.
All eight Ferrari Competizione GT factory drivers got behind the wheel of the first LMH chassis during testing.
This means that Alessandro Pia Guidi, James Calado, Miguel Molina, Antonio Fuco, Davide Rigon, Niklas Nielsen, Daniel Serra and Alessio Rovera are participating in the development programme.
Andrea Bertolini, a very experienced test driver who remains under contract with Ferrari, also plays an important role in the programme.
Antoneto Coletta reiterated Ferrari’s position of choosing the LMH WEC team from an existing driver roster.
“I’m happy with the drivers we have. I don’t think we need to make any changes,” said Antette Coletta.
“Ferrari has a big family of drivers and a big bag to choose from.”
“Ultimately we have to make a choice, but at the moment it’s too early.”
Category: F1 / Ferrari / 24 Hours of Le Mans / WEC (FIA World Endurance Championship)