Charles Leclerc has voiced a strong interest in a future Le Mans 24 Hours bid with Ferrari.
While the Italian team has raced in endurance racing for years with GT cars, last month, Ferrari announced they would join WEC’s Hypercar category from 2023.
This will mark the first time the Scuderia has competed in the premier class of sportscars since the 1970s.
“In over 70 years of racing, on tracks all over the world, we led our closed-wheel cars to victory by exploring cutting-edge technological solutions and innovations that arise from the track and make every road car produced in Maranello extraordinary,” chairman John Elkann stated.
“With the new Le Mans Hypercar programme, Ferrari again asserts its sporting commitment and determination to be a protagonist in the major global motorsport events.”
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Ferrari had been considering joining IndyCar before ultimately going ahead with the WEC project.
And for FIA president Jean Todt, marked a vote of confidence in the new era of endurance racing.
“The announcement of Ferrari’s commitment to the FIA World Endurance Championship with Le Mans Hypercar entry from 2023 is great news for the FIA, the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) and the wider world of motorsport,” he said.
“I believe in the concept of road-relevant Hypercars competing in the FIA WEC and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I am looking forward to seeing this legendary brand taking on this ambitious project.”
Already, Kimi Raikkonen has been pushed as a possible future driver, but Leclerc, who competed in the Virtual Le Mans last year, also voiced his interest.
“I love Le Mans! I’ve always been a huge fan of the 24 Hours and if the opportunity arises to drive it, I’ll be happy to take it,” he told Italian media.
“At the moment, my main focus is Formula 1, but if a chance comes, why not?”