Antonello Colletta, head of Ferrari’s sports car program, said the Italian manufacturer is now in a position to expand its WEC hypercar program beyond its two factory cars.
Such efforts would receive technical support from Ferrari, which has repeatedly said the 499P is too complex to operate completely independently from the factory.
If the plan goes through, Ferrari will become the first LMH brand to offer its cars to privateer teams.
“We are now looking at a potential third car,” Colletta said at the Bahrain 8 Hours on the eve of the end of the season. “We think our knowledge will be fine to manage other cars.
“I don’t know if there will be a third car, but I’m ready to build another car.
“If the conditions are right for next year, that should be an option. But whether that will be in 2024 or 2025 is not confirmed.”
Photo provided by: JEP/Motorsports Image
#51 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi
Colletta has revealed that Ferrari intends to complete the full season with a third car, rather than just backing him into the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Cadillac and Porsche, two of Ferrari’s top-tier rivals, brought additional cars to La Sarthe this year.
“If we were to consider a third car, it would be to use it all year round, not just at Le Mans. For us, we are not interested in managing a third car for just one race,” said Colletta. added.
It has been suggested that the third car effort could be led by AF Corse, Ferrari’s current partner team in the WEC, with support from watchmaker Richard Mille.
AF Corse is already familiar with 499P LMH cars, making them the ideal team to run customer car programs.
When asked if AF Corse might be involved in planning a car for its customers, Colletta said: If you have the budget for AF Corse, you should be able to manage it with AF Corse.
“In any case, we have to manage all the engine parts and all the electronic parts, which is normal, as is the case with customer teams in F1.”
Photo provided by: JEP/Motorsports Image
#51 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi
One of two drivers to drive Ferrari’s hypercar at the Bahrain rookie test, he will compete in GTE Am with the AF Corse-run Richard Mille team after joining Ferrari’s factory GT roster earlier this year. This is Lil Waddu.
Waddu also has prototype experience, having spent a season in the LMP2 ranks with Richard Mille as well as testing with Toyota at the Bahrain International Circuit just 12 months ago.
Asked if Richard Mille could be involved in the possibility of a third car entry, Colletta said: “It should be an option at the moment, but it’s not absolutely confirmed.”
“I want to make it clear that if Lil Wadu and Robert Schwartzman participate in the Rookie Test, it will be for the following reasons. [they are] We are official Ferrari drivers and it is normal for us to organize rookie tests with our drivers.
“But that’s a completely different thing. [from] A virtual third car is with them. ”
Porsche is currently the only manufacturer selling cars to WEC customers, but its 963 is built to the less complex LMDh rules.