Ferrari Shakes Down 2023 Hypercar

Wednesday morning at the Fiorano circuit (which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year), saw two-time WEC World Drivers Champion Alessandro Pier Guidi commence the first shakedown test for the still un-named new Ferrari Le Mans Hypercar (LMH), which will contest the 2023 FIA WEC season.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna was present for the shakedown which saw Pier Guidi hand over to Nicklas Nielsen for the afternoon’s running.

“After so many months in the simulator, I finally had the chance to drive the real car, and that was a big thrill”, commented Pier Guidi. “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”.

Nicklas Nielsen: “It was a special day… To be one of the first to drive Ferrari’s Hypercar on the track is a dream come true. 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”.

During the day, Ferrari’s engineers concentrated on checking the various propulsion and electronic systems ahead of the development test sessions, alternating between sessions on the track and long breaks necessary for routine checks.

As can be seen in this picture, the new car features a unique aero set-up at the rear with a low mounted main rear wing and what appears to be a lower rear wing element mounted much closer to the rear deck, the car also featuring large wing endplates, much larger than in most other current and future prototype designs.