Wadoux Feels ‘Close to Ready’ for Ferrari Hypercar Seat

Photo: Ferrari

Factory Ferrari driver Lilou Wadoux has said she expects to be “close to being ready” for a Hypercar race seat by the end of this year, following her second outing at the wheel of the 499P in last year’s FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test.

Having first sampled the 499P at Bahrain in 2023, Wadoux was given another opportunity by the Italian manufacturer at the same track last November.

It followed an impressive season in GT competition for the 24-year-old, who scored two class victories in the European Le Mans Series and also triumphed in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship-closing Motul Petit Le Mans in the GTD class.

Wadoux said she felt she made a better account of herself on her second time driving the 499P as she continues to target an eventual Hypercar race seat with Ferrari.

“It’s always nice to come back in the Hypercar, after two years since I first drove it and having raced the LMP2 car in between,” Wadoux told Sportscar365.

“The Hypercar is somewhere between the P2 and the GT to drive, so it’s quite nice with all the experience I had now to drive this car because for sure I improved a lot.

“I learned a lot of things, but for sure in Hypercar I still have to learn more because it’s not easy with all the electric [power], etc. It’s different compared to GT.”

“I think they gave me the opportunity to drive because I did a good season. We have been together for three years, so I think it was more a reward than anything else.

“After that, I think I did a good job, so if they think I am ready to do it [race a Hypercar], maybe they will give me the opportunity.”

While Wadoux will spend her fourth year as a works Ferrari pilot in the GT ranks, she said she feels she is closer to being fully prepared for a Hypercar race chance.

“I think yes,” she replied when asked if she felt she would be ready to step up in 2027. “Not 100%, but I feel more ready than one year ago. I think after one more year I will have more experience, more races, so I think I will be close to being ready.

“For sure you have to practice with the car to learn all these things in the simulator. One on hand, you cannot do this work before you have the chance be there, but on the other hand, [it’s important] to take the start, to be able to do qualifying.

“They gave me the opportunity last year to do this [in GTs], so I think I will be ready.”