Ferrari Demands Full Control Future
Ferrari has made its position on the future of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) clear: it will only remain in the Hypercar class beyond the current regulations if manufacturers are permitted to continue building complete cars in-house under any new technical framework.
The statement comes amid ongoing discussions between the FIA, ACO and manufacturers over the next generation of Hypercar rules, which are expected to unify the current split between LMH and LMDh platforms as early as 2030.
Ferrari currently competes under the LMH regulations, which allow full technical freedom in the design and manufacture of the car, including chassis and hybrid systems. By contrast, the LMDh route—chosen by several rivals—relies on standardised hybrid components and shared architecture to reduce costs and complexity.
Ferrari’s endurance racing chief, Antonello Coletta, reaffirmed that this philosophy is non-negotiable when assessing the brand’s long-term commitment to the championship.
Ferrari’s Condition for Continuity
Speaking to Motorsport.com Italy, Coletta stressed that convergence between the two technical paths is widely accepted, but insisted that Ferrari’s participation depends on retaining full control over car construction.
“Ferrari will remain in this championship if it can continue to build its car 100%, as we are doing today under LMH regulations,” Coletta said.
He added that while shared elements could be considered within a unified platform, the ability to design and manufacture the entire prototype internally is fundamental to Ferrari’s sporting and engineering identity.
Coletta also highlighted that future regulation discussions will need to address drivetrain configuration—specifically whether cars will adopt four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive layouts, one of the key distinctions between LMH and LMDh today.
LMDh Growth Under Scrutiny
Despite Ferrari’s success with LMH, the Hypercar grid continues to expand primarily through LMDh-based programmes. New entrants such as Genesis, Ford and McLaren have all committed to the category using the cost-capped LMDh formula.
However, Coletta pointed out that several recent departures have come from LMDh programmes, referencing exits by Porsche, Lamborghini and the forthcoming withdrawal of Alpine.
He argued that LMH manufacturers have shown greater long-term stability:
- Toyota
- Peugeot
- Ferrari
- Aston Martin
According to Coletta, this reflects stronger long-term planning rather than short-term project cycles.
Hypercar Manufacturers Overview
| Platform | Examples of Manufacturers | Key Approach |
|---|---|---|
| LMH | Ferrari, Toyota, Peugeot, Aston Martin | Full in-house design freedom |
| LMDh | Porsche, Cadillac, BMW, Genesis, Ford, McLaren | Standardised hybrid system and shared components |
“Sustainability Is the Key Issue”
Coletta rejected suggestions that LMH programmes are inherently more expensive, arguing instead that proper planning eliminates financial risk.
He stated that Ferrari incorporated development “Evo Joker” allowances into its original business model and suggested that cost overruns are often cited as justification for programme exits rather than genuine structural issues.
Under the current regulations, manufacturers are allocated development tokens—known as Evo Jokers—to upgrade homologated cars. These are strictly controlled and require approval from the championship before implementation.
Ferrari, Coletta noted, has used fewer Evo Jokers than many of its rivals, reinforcing his view that LMH can be managed efficiently within long-term budgets.
Looking Toward a Unified Future
While Ferrari supports convergence between LMH and LMDh, its stance remains firm: any future Hypercar platform must preserve the ability for manufacturers to build complete cars internally.
For Coletta, the priority is not only technical harmony but also long-term stability and manufacturer commitment.
“What matters is sustainability,” he said. “The rest are details.”
As discussions continue toward the post-2029 regulations, Ferrari’s position is expected to be a key factor in shaping the future identity of global endurance racing.
