Ferrari Completes “Positive” First Rollout of LMH Car at Fiorano

Ferrari today completed the first rollout of its LMH car that will enter competition next year, with driver Alessandro Pier Guidi describing the run as a “positive” experience.

Pier Guidi and Nicklas Nielsen shook down the publicly unnamed Ferrari LMH at Fiorano ahead of an extensive track testing program for the four-wheel-drive, hybrid-powered prototype that will race in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class.

The shakedown was conducted in the presence of Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna.

“After so many months in the simulator, I finally had the chance to drive the real car, and that was a big thrill,” said Pier Guidi, who was the first driver to get behind the wheel.

“Driving the Ferrari that will return to the top endurance class fifty years since the last official participation was very emotional for me.

“We are only at the start, and much work is ahead of us, but it feels very positive.

“I am proud and happy to have debuted the LMH, marking the beginning of a new adventure for Ferrari.”

The day of the first rollout consisted of checks on the car’s powertrain and electronics systems, with track runs separated by long breaks for engineers to conduct analysis.

Ferrari has utilized its squad of factory GT drivers throughout the LMH development process so far, including simulator testing and a recent test with an Oreca 07 Gibson LMP2 car at Vallelunga.

It has not announced which drivers will form its two-car entry into next year’s WEC campaign.

Nielsen, who currently drives for the future Hypercar factory race team AF Corse in the WEC’s LMP2 class, described the rollout milestone as a “special day”.

“To be one of the first to drive Ferrari’s Hypercar on the track is a dream come true,” he said.

“Ever since I was a little boy, I dreamt of driving a Ferrari, and doing so in the car that will be competing in the top class is incredible. Of course, it’s still a long way to the car’s race debut, but today we took a small step toward that moment.”