How Ferrari’s Hypercar project could bolster Leclerc’s legacy

Following a slump in recent years after the manufacturer exodus from LMP1, sportscar racing appears to be on the brink of another golden age. The burgeoning Le Mans Hypercar and LMDh classes are ticking plenty of boxes for major manufacturers so far, securing entries from Toyota, Peugeot, Audi and Porsche, among others.

But arguably the biggest coup yet for LMH was claimed last week when Ferrari announced its return to the top tier of sportscar racing by forming a factory programme to debut in 2023. Not since 1973 has Ferrari fought for top honours at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, making the announcement something of a throwback to an era when it wanted dominance in spheres beyond just Formula 1.

While it may have been present at Le Mans in the GT categories with its factory AF Corse squad, the step into LMH is a gamechanger for Ferrari. But what does it mean for its F1 squad?

PLUS: Why Ferrari is ending its 50-year top-flight sportscar exile 

The formation of the Hypercar programme can be seen directly as a result of the new budget cap in F1, which has forced the big teams to redirect resources and personnel to reduce their spend. While Mercedes and Red Bull have placed this focus on applied science and technologies, Ferrari has taken a different approach. Some staff and resources have been redeployed to support customer squad Haas, forming a ‘Haas hub’ at Maranello, while an IndyCar entry as an engine supplier was considered - and eventually ruled out - as another option.

Yet Ferrari F1 chief Mattia Binotto was adamant the decision to enter Le Mans Hypercar had nothing to do with the budget cap. “No, it’s not a consequence of the financial regulations at all,” he said last week. “The programme has been evaluated from the company point of view [to be] of interest, and we decided as Ferrari to be involved.” As attractive as the new rules may have been, it is still hard to fathom the reduced F1 spend would not have at least supported the financial case to return to prototype racing.

Mattia Binotto, Ferrari launch 2021

Photo by: Ferrari

Binotto was also fairly dismissive of any deep collaboration between the F1 and Hypercar programmes, making clear he would not be directly in charge. But he was happy to lend support where feasible and able to be given.

“I will not be directly in charge myself,” he said. “We are, as Scuderia Ferrari, fully focused on the F1 programme. But, no doubt, if as [the F1 team] we may support with somehow know-how, expertise – we will do it because, once again, we are a unique company.”

"It's a mythical race in motorsport. Definitely one day, I would like to be part of it" Charles Leclerc

Crossovers between the F1 and Hypercar teams may not be a priority for Binotto, but for one of his drivers, there is a possibility to fulfil a racing dream.

When F1 was put on hold last spring as the COVID-19 pandemic began to surge, drivers were left stepping into the virtual world to get their racing fix. Although it may not be a substitute for the real thing, it was a gateway for some to other forms of racing. In the case of Charles Leclerc, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual organised by Motorsport Games (NASDAQ:MSGM) was all the excuse he needed to add another career goal to his list: racing at Le Mans for real one day.

“It's a mythical race in motorsport,” Leclerc said, having been part of a Ferrari squad including Alfa Romeo F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi and F1 Esports champion David Tonizza through the event held in lieu of the real race last June. “Definitely one day, I would like to be part of it.”

Ferrari’s most recent outright Le Mans victory in 1965 was boosted by F1 experience, as was the norm back then. Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt won the race in a Ferrari 250 LM, and both drivers also featured in F1 races through the same year. Future world champion Rindt was just 23 years old and only in his second full F1 season, racing for Cooper, while Gregory also raced in the Indianapolis 500 in the same year.

Rindt/Gregory Ferrari 250 LM Le Mans 1965

Photo by: Motorsport Images

It was a time when drivers were rarely confined to a single series and series specialists were less common as they explored as many racing avenues as they could. John Surtees famously quit Ferrari in a disagreement over driver policy for Le Mans in 1966. It was a race ultimately won for Ford by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon (also racing in F1) for Ford, the story of which has since become a Hollywood blockbuster film starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

But such crossovers are hardly seen today. With the exception of Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso’s successful forays into sportscar racing in the past six years, F1 drivers have rarely crossed codes in such a fashion, despite there being interest. Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen are just two drivers who have pursued Le Mans entries alongside their F1 duties, only to see their bids blocked, while Alonso looked at racing with both AF Corse and Porsche in the years before he finally got a deal across the line with Toyota.

Have a go hero: How an F1 star won Le Mans by surprise 

Ferrari’s announcement does open the door for that to change though, especially with Leclerc’s interest piqued. The question was put to Leclerc during Ferrari’s F1 team launch last week, and received a warm reply.

“I love Le Mans, I’ve always been a fan of Le Mans,” Leclerc said. “If the opportunity arises, then I will be very happy to join. At the moment, my main focus is Formula 1. But, again, if there is an opportunity, why not?”

New team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr was more cool on the idea of making such a switch, but was nevertheless supportive. “From my side, [it’s] obviously a very interesting project,” he said. “It’s great that a brand like Ferrari wants to try again in Le Mans and I will be the main supporter and main fan of them.

“But, driving-wise, I think we have a lot of work to do here in Ferrari and my full focus is with Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1, and other projects at the moment are not in my direct mind. I will be following closely, but it’s still a bit too far away.”

Charles Leclerc Fiorano 2021

Photo by: Ferrari

 

Ferrari will not be short of interest for its Hypercar seats. Not only will it have its existing roster of sportscar ringers in the GT classes, but it could also call on youngsters from the Ferrari Driver Academy. F2 runner-up Callum Ilott has been given a GT programme this year alongside his F1 test duties, pointing towards a policy that could be deployed in the future. There’s already an array of options before any natural outside interest is considered.

But surely Leclerc would be a shoo-in to take a seat if Ferrari’s F1 chiefs are happy for him to do so. He has been front-and-centre of all of Ferrari’s efforts since his breakout debut campaign with the team in 2019. Sticking its F1 star in one of its Le Mans seats would only add to the hubbub around Ferrari’s return to La Sarthe.

It would also give Leclerc the chance to cement a wider and greater legacy within motorsport. It may be crazy to consider such a thing for a 23-year-old, but the fact so few drivers are getting the opportunity or showing such an interest in other categories would make it a hugely interesting story.

Ferrari’s return to prototype racing does not look set impact its F1 affairs greatly. But as support from the F1 side goes, lending the Le Mans squad one of the current generation’s brightest motorsport talents would be an excellent starting point.

Charles Leclerc British GP podium 2020

Photo by: Ferrari