There can’t have been many outside Maranello who had a Ferrari sailing announcement ready as big news for January 2024. But here we are - it’s going to happen. Teased in a video yesterday ahead of official confirmation, Ferrari will compete on water for the very first time.
The project is at its very early stages for the moment, and Ferrari knows better than anyone that a drip feed of information can work wonders for generating interest, so there’s not a great deal to say. But the very fact Ferrari will race in the water - ‘a great challenge that stems from Ferrari’s racing DNA and innovative drive - definitely feels noteworthy enough. We know that it’ll be a sailing boat, so park any dreams of an epic V12 speedboat immediately, and otherwise precious little.
Team Principal for Ferrari’s sailing effort will be Giovanni Soldini, said to be an acclaimed navigator already and wearing the beard of a proper explorer. Albeit a stylish, Italian one. You don’t get that kind of rugged visage playing bowls. Anyway, a quick Google of Soldini shows that among other things (including the Légion d’honneur for saving a fellow competitor at sea) he used to sail with Maserati, and even broke a few records with them, so this is quite the coup for Ferrari.
Soldini said of his new job: “I am thrilled to start this new adventure with Ferrari. We are working on an important and cutting-edge project with an amazing technological potential that brings together different worlds and skills of the highest level. Working with an exceptional team in the research and development of innovative solutions that are respectful of our environment is a truly unique experience.”
This will be a proper factory effort, too, not a racer built by a third party with a Prancing (sea) Horse stuck on. It’s going to be conceived and engineered in Maranello, even if actual construction will presumably have to take place nearer the water (seafarers of PH, help us out here). Today’s press release even goes as far as to suggest that the search for ultimate performance on the water ‘will generate innovations and concrete solutions for sustainability that… will be an important stimulus in the evolution of its sports cars.’ Wheels are still very important, fret not.
The launch video doesn’t add a great deal to the story, really, so it’s over to Ferrari Chairman John Elkann for the final word: “We are about to embark on an exciting journey that will expand our racing soul. With this new competitive challenge, motivated by our innovative capacity and commitment to sustainability, we will push beyond current boundaries. We are happy to be able to count on Giovanni, who is extraordinary in terms of experience, determination and team spirit.” We’ll of course keep you updated as the project progresses. In the meantime, best start thinking about names; Barchetta works a treat, of course, though that’s ‘little boat’ technically. How about SuperAmericas Cup? Mondial could have a whole new meaning in a round-the-world race. And, er, we don’t know enough about boats for any more. Over to you…
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