Ferrari to build radical new racer as it returns to Le Mans

After a down couple of years one of the largest names in motorsport is returning to the world’s biggest stage with an impressive new machine.

Ferrari will take on the world’s greatest race in 2023, aiming for overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

New rules at Le Mans, along with a strict budget cap in Formula 1, prompted the iconic marque to join the grid.

Le Mans promises to be spectacular in 2023, with Toyota, Peugeot, Audi, Porsche, Acura (Honda) and independent constructors Glickenhaus and ByKolles set to race for overall victory.

Ferrari could draw inspiration from the track-only LaFerrari FXXK

Ferrari will race with a “Hypercar” inspired by the world’s fastest road-going machines.

The car could take inspiration from the track-only LaFerrari FXXK hybrid, or the new SF90 Stradale road car.

Toyota and Peugeot are following the hypercar path, while Audi, Porsche and Acura will build cheaper “Le Mans Daytona hybrid” machines, adding engines and bodywork to third-party chassis and hybrid systems.

Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale could also inspire the new endurance racer.

New rules make it much cheaper for car makers to race at Le Mans.

The race has been dominated by Toyota since Audi and Porsche left in the wake of the Volkswagen Group’s dieselgate scandal.

Ferrari’s commitment to the race comes after Aaron Martin cancelled plans to field a Hypercar based on its exotic Valkyrie coupe.

Ferrari is rumoured to be diverting resources to Le Mans rather than laying off staff to comply with a looming budget cap in F1.

Ferrari’s GTE cars have raced in the lower grades at Le Mans for years.

The Italian team has been represented by customer teams with road car-based GT machines at Le Mans for decades, most recently winning the LMGTE-Pro category against the likes of Aston Martin, BMW, Porsche and Ford in 2019.

Australia has strong links to Le Mans.

Mark Webber quit racing in Formula 1 to take on the 24 hour classic with Porsche, who now employs young Queenslander Matt Campbell as one of its gun GT drivers.

Supercars regulars Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen have all expressed interest in taking on the event.

Originally published as Ferrari to build radical new racer as it returns to Le Mans