Ferrari back to LeMans?

Looks like Ferrari are considering returning to LeMans at the top level for the first time since 1973. That would be great. Cue a remake of movie LeMans

http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsport/story/139671.html

I did not realize that the enignes met the ACO rules.... wow, it's been a LOOOONG time since an F1 motor ran at LeMans. Last I recall was a Cosworth derivative.

Good way to spread the expense of the powertrain.

If the F1 engine is good with the ACO, what about the inverse?

Could Porsche return to F1?????

Rob R.

Nope. The F1 engine is required to be a V6.

Volkswagen was building an engine for F1 when the new rules were announced. They built a 4 cylinder (supposedly Renault also built a 4 cylinder). When VW pulled out, Ferrari whined about 4 cylinders and Bernie said "Fine, how about V6?"

Supposedly the Porsche Le Mans engine is that failed VW F1 engine. 1.6 liter (possibly punched out to 2.0 liter) turbocharged 4 cylinder.

It probably won't sound as good as the 333sp.

wvumtnbkr wrote: If the F1 engine is good with the ACO, what about the inverse? Could Porsche return to F1????? Rob R.

I don't think they want too. They've never given their heart and soul to f1. It was a half hearted effort in the 60's. The 80's was badge as a TAG and Footwork Porsche engine was a disaster. I think they define themselves as a Sports car firm. If VW were to go back to F1 I see it being Audi to continue their technology tour-de-fource

alfadriver wrote: I did not realize that the enignes met the ACO rules.... wow, it's been a LOOOONG time since an F1 motor ran at LeMans. Last I recall was a Cosworth derivative. Good way to spread the expense of the powertrain.

When was that? I know hte Ferrari 333SP mentioned below was derived from the old 3.5L V12 F1 engine punched out to 4.0L. The Cosworth DFL was very close to the F1 DFV and that was used in Gropu C2 in the early mid 80's. After that wasn't the DFV replacement the HB used by TWR in the early 90's. I think the Ferrari V12 may be the most recent. When did the 333SP last run at LeMAns> Late 90's I think

MCarp22 wrote: It probably won't sound as good as the 333sp.

True, and while the 333sp did run at LeMans, it was never as an official Ferrari effort, always privateirs. This implys it would be a factory effort. Maybe they are expecting to have some cash laying around with the future F1 cost cap

MCarp22 wrote: It probably won't sound as good as the 333sp.

Considering that the current sound of a Ferrari at Le Mans is usually an expensive crash as a gentleman driver takes out yet another LMP1 car, I think it will be an improvement.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

I more remember the DFL in the 80s, and the comments that it was a very close relative to the F1 engine- changed to last 24 hrs. For some reason, I don't picture the Ferrari 4.0l to be of F1 decent- interesting. Still, we are talking close to 20 years for that.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

Lest we forget

Or this one...

I only reason Ferrari talks about going back to Le Mans is to put pressure on the FIA when things aren't going their way. I wonder what they want from Jean Todt and Bernie this time?

In reply to codrus:

Maybe, maybe not... IIRC, there are some pretty stringent engine reliability requirements in the new F1 rules. Running the engine in LeMans would be a good way to test the limits of that reliability.

Ian F wrote: In reply to codrus: Maybe, maybe not... IIRC, there are some pretty stringent engine reliability requirements in the new F1 rules. Running the engine in LeMans would be a good way to test the limits of that reliability.

Agreed, it could be for real. I just wish one day we would get Ferrari to go Indy racing. They sell a lot of cars here, once the body regs open up a bit more I'd love to see them come in as an engine supplier and team owner. They were real close in 86/87 when CART was at it's height, they actually built cars and engines. The engine did race later with new valve covers saying 'Alfa Romeo' but it was too old by then. Wouldn't it be cool to see some red cars with galloping pony on the side at an Indy car race?

P.S. Dear pedants, I know the Indy 500 was part of the F1 championship up until 61, although no Ferrari's ran there since Ascari in 52.