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Antonello Coletta, who heads the LMH project in his role as boss of the Attivita Sportive GT department at Ferrari, explains that the first factory prototype program in 50 years leverages all available technological resources within the company.
“I think the technology we have at Ferrari is one of the most important assets for us and it’s only natural that we share this technology across all of our projects,” Coletta said. Motorsport.tv in an exclusive interview for Ferrari channel.
“It is normal that the LMH project has F1 experience, but not only from F1, but also from road cars – this is a synthesis of our knowledge.
“Our engineers put all of this together, and we look forward to creating a very competitive and stunning car.”
He added that some of the solutions on the LMH hybrid prototype had been “taken from past experience both at the F1 level and from road cars”.
“Ferrari is a great company with a very important technical heritage and our role has always been as an innovator,” he said.
“Given the new regulations, it is impossible not to provoke knowledge and what is important to underline is that LMH is not a part of the company’s project, but it is a transversal project because Ferrari is one of them.
“It would be ridiculous not to make use of all the knowledge we have.”
The LMH program, announced in February 2021, is masterminded from the location of the new Attivita Sportive GT next to the Fiorano Ferrari test track alongside the new 296 GT3 racer, which will be released to customers in time for next season.
Coletta described the facility that opened last year that combines the Competizioni GT and Corse Clienti departments as “an important testimony to Ferrari about our business”.
He called LMH an “important challenge” for Ferrari as it aims to add to its nine-win overall tally at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the core round of the WEC.
Ferrari has yet to release technical details of the LMH, including the internal combustion engine configuration but is expected to make a further announcement in June.
The Ferrari LMH, which will run a front-axle hybrid system, is set to turn the wheels for the first time in July, though Coletta stressed that no exact date has been set.
Attivita Sportive GT technical director Ferdinando Cannizzo confirmed that the LMH project was “on the current schedule”.
He revealed that the first iteration of the LMH ran on the simulator over a year ago.
“Obviously it’s something that keeps evolving month after month after seeing the results – each session brings a new idea to the table,” he explains.
“The car exists virtually and we are constantly evolving; we are now happy to see the car on the track.”
Coletta reiterated Ferrari’s intention to start testing with drivers from the existing GT roster, which includes reigning WEC GTE Pro champion Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado.
He also once again hinted at Ferrari’s future involvement in the top class IMSA SportsCar Championship after the North American series paved the way for LMH engines to compete in the series in the middle of last year.
“For Ferrari, the US market is very important,” he said.
“But in 2023, we will only be involved in the WEC.
For more about Motorsport.tv The Ferrari channel goes to https://motorsport.tv/channel/ferrari/271
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