Ferrari has confirmed that its permanence in the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) is conditioned on being able to develop and build its vehicles entirely in its facilities, in accordance with the new regulations that are being discussed.
According to Antonello Coletta, global head of endurance at Ferrari, the brand hopes that future regulations will allow manufacturers to adopt a single set of rules. Currently, the WEC is in a review process to unify the regulations between the LMDh and LMH categories, aiming for possible implementation before 2030.
Ferrari entered the Hypercar class by creating a vehicle that meets the LMH regulations, which offer more room for development. However, several other manufacturers have opted for the LMDh system, which allows them to acquire a pre-designed hybrid system.
After extending its commitment until the end of 2029, Ferrari remains expectant regarding the evolution of discussions around the new regulations. Coletta has stated that the ability to build the vehicle 100% is crucial for the brand and that the sharing of components would be a decision each team should make according to their own strategies.
Despite significant departures from brands like Porsche and Lamborghini, the outlook for Hypercar vehicles appears positive with the arrival of new entrants such as Genesis, Ford, and McLaren, all under LMDh regulations. In contrast, only Aston Martin and Isotta Fraschini have entered the category with an LMH prototype.
Coletta noted that the sustainability of the programs is essential and that LMH brands have maintained a firm commitment to their participations, while LMDh teams have faced long-term difficulties. This situation has led to a debate about the viability and continuity of projects within the WEC.
The current regulations include a system of restrictive updates known as Evo Jokers, which limit the development of homologated vehicles. According to Coletta, business strategies must take this variable into account and, therefore, do not constitute an excuse to abandon competition.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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