The Quest for Glory: Ferrari’s Dual Ambition
Win the championship or keep the trophy? Offer Ferrari the choice of claiming a title in the World Endurance Championship this year or taking ownership of the latest piece of silverware given to the victor of the Le Mans 24 Hours by making it three in a row, and a range of answers are forthcoming. Ferruccio’s legendary brand, a cornerstone in both Formula 1 and endurance racing, has a storied history and a deep-seated desire for world-class recognition. Antonello Coletta, Ferrari’s long-time boss of sportscar racing, is clear about his priorities. While he acknowledges the allure of a Le Mans victory, he firmly states, “The most important goal of the season is the world championship.” Coletta doesn’t differentiate between the Hypercar class drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles, underlining the importance of both. For Ferrari, the overarching aim is to secure what might be termed as the overall world title in sportscars, a feat it hasn’t achieved since 1972.
James Calado: Champion Mindset
James Calado, the British racing driver who, along with Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, brought Ferrari’s on-debut comeback win with a factory prototype at Le Mans in 2023, is unequivocal in his stance. “I’ve always said from the beginning that I’d prefer the championship over Le Mans,” he asserts. Calado, now in his 12th season with Ferrari, has already tasted victory three times in GTE Pro, and these were genuine FIA world titles. To him, the world championship is a more significant achievement, as it is earned over eight grueling races rather than a single event, however monumental. “Le Mans is just one race,” Calado explains, “Yes, it’s massive, but a world title is won over eight races. The priority is the title.” This sentiment is shared by the entire team, as they gear up for the 2025 season with renewed determination.
Lessons from 2024: A Year of Reflection
Ferrari’s 2024 campaign was marked by both triumph and turmoil. The factory team secured a single victory at Le Mans, thanks to a stellar performance by Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina. However, the season also saw its share of setbacks, most notably the temporary stoppage and controversial restart at Spa in May, which nearly cost the team a 1-2 finish, and the tactical blunder at Imola in April, which saw the leading Ferrari car slip away in the rain. The #51 Calado/Giovinazzi/Pier Guidi entry also suffered two retirements, one at Austin due to a transmission issue and another at Fuji due to a problem with the power electronics of the hybrid system. These incidents have served as crucial lessons for the team, pushing them to focus on reliability and operational excellence for the upcoming season.
Technical Lead Ferdinando Cannizzo: Striving for Improvement
Ferdinando Cannizzo, the technical lead of Ferrari’s sportscar racing programs, is candid about the team’s efforts to improve the 499P Le Mans Hypercar. He reveals that 50% of the modifications for the 2025 season are aimed at enhancing reliability. “We played on that side a lot,” Cannizzo admits. The transmission issue at Austin, triggered by a spin for Giovinazzi, was addressed by changing driver recovery procedures. The power electronics problem at Fuji, which was a result of a missing protection, has been resolved through changes in production processes. “Every area of the car has been impacted by the modifications,” he notes. These improvements are expected to make the 499P more robust and more confident to drive on the edge, inherently boosting performance through increased consistency.
Operational Excellence: A New Focus
Reliability isn’t the only area where Ferrari is focusing its efforts. The team has also taken significant steps to improve its operational efficiency, which was glaringly apparent during the rain-affected race at Imola. Cannizzo acknowledges that Ferrari’s prototype squad is still a young team, entering its third season together. “We feel that the group has good potential, but it is not enough,” he states. An internal review post-Imola led to the implementation of about three times as many KPIs (key performance indicators) from the data systems to aid and speed up decision-making. This operational improvement came into play almost immediately, with the Le Mans victory serving as a testament. Notably, during the final stages of the race, Nielsen had to make an unscheduled pit stop because a door was not closed properly. This became his final stop for fuel, requiring him to conserve energy while facing a faster Toyota. “If you look at Le Mans, it was an example of a pure, perfect reaction,” Cannizzo says, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
Balancing Performance and Regulations
Ferrari’s journey to the championship is not without its regulatory hurdles. Cannizzo is tight-lipped about the Balance of Performance (BoP), a critical factor in endurance racing, as public discussion is expressly banned in the sporting regulations. However, he does hint at areas where the team struggled, pointing to Qatar and Fuji as races where they were out of contention. Interlagos, another venue where Ferrari didn’t perform optimally, also received attention. Despite these challenges, Cannizzo remains optimistic. “Last year was not bad, even if we are not happy at all,” he reflects. The team’s comprehensive approach to improvement, encompassing both technical and operational aspects, underscores their commitment to achieving the championship goal in 2025.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Season
The 2025 season kicks off with the Qatar 1812Km 10-hour race on February 28, and Ferrari is leaving no stone unturned in its preparation. The latest rules from the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest mandate that manufacturers run a pair of factory entries, and a new scoring system will see both cars accrue points in the manufacturers’ classification. This change adds a layer of complexity but also a strategic advantage for teams like Ferrari. James Calado, along with his teammates, is already mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. “Every race is an opportunity to learn and improve,” he says, echoing the team’s sentiment. Ferrari’s ambitious goals and meticulous improvements suggest that the Prancing Horse is well-positioned to make a strong case for the championship in the third season of the 499P.
