Undoubtedly the return of Porsche to the ranks of the top class sportscar entry in 2014 has caught the imagination of many who had only peripherally been interested in the FIA WEC.
What then might we expect if, and apparently when, Ferrari do likewise.
The latest iteration of what has, to this point been principally a hope rather than a expectation, has come from none other than Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo whose speech at the Ferrari Christmas party included the following section as he commented on the potential for their new Formula One powertrain technology including their 2014 1.6 litre turbocharged V6.
“We are working on some technology innovation that we are testing at the moment, so this is the first time in which, theoretically, there could be the possibility of thinking about Le Mans,” he said.
“There have been a few weeks where I have begun to think of the possibility, if the rules go in the right direction that I expect, maybe to do sooner or later Le Mans with a Ferrari car to win.”
But it’s not just the transferability of the technology that has pushed the potential for an LMP1 programme to the fore, it’s the 2015 Formula One budget cap, freeing up both financial and human resources for other racing activities.
So could 2016 see the first top class Ferrari Sports Prototype since the 333SP, and very much more significantly in publicity terms, the first factory programme since 1973 and the last hurrah for the ever so lovely Ferrari 312PB?
We’ll know soon enough, and if that happens then the World Endurance Championship will take a mighty leap forward.
