Ferrari is set to return to the fabled Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race next year, its Chief Executive Benedetto Vigna said today, in what would be the sports carmaker's first bid for overall victory in 50 years.
Presenting the Italian carmaker's new business plan, Vigna said Ferrari remained on course for its return to the top class from 2023 with its Hypercar, supported by success in the lower GT category of last year's FIA world endurance championship.
"It's thrilling to think that in a little under a year, we will compete for outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours," he said.
"This represents another chance for us to compete at the highest levels, pushing the technological boundaries on the track to then transfer these to the next generation of Ferrari cars" he added.
Ferrari, which last won the category's title back in 1965, will compete with the likes of Porsche, Cadillac, Peugeot and Toyota, which has won the last five Le Mans 24 Hours.
Purosangue utility vehicle to be unveiled in September
Associated Press report that Vigna also confirmed that the company's first electric car will be presented in 2025, with the first deliveries the following year.
Now, just four Ferrari models, or 20% of the range, are hybrid cars. Its first hybrid model was the limited edition La Ferrari launched in 2013, capitalizing on Formula 1 technology.
Vigna, a former technology entrepreneur who joined Ferrari as CEO nine months ago, said the electrification strategy is "highly relevant."
"Not only it is required by emissions regulations, but most importantly, we believe we can use the electric engine to enhance the performance of our cars, as we did already with our hybrid Ferrari,´´ he said at an analyst presentation.
As Ferrari expands its model range, the car company based in the northern Italian city of Maranello said it would unveil the long-awaited Purosangue utility vehicle in September.
Bearing the Italian name for thoroughbred, the Purosangue UV will represent no more than 20% of vehicles produced during its cycle.
(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari/Reuters; Additional reporting by Associated Press)
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