Potential discussions have arisen as Ferrari prepares to open its first electrification plant subsequent month, the place it can produce its personal batteries and fleet of electrical autos.
Work on the brand new ‘e-building’ has been ongoing since 2022 at the price of 500 million euro, with that funding additionally going in direction of renewable energies and infrastructure, whereas as much as 250 jobs can have been created consequently.
South Korean firm SK On has been supplying battery cells for Ferrari’s highway automobiles since 2019, for hybrid fashions together with the SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB.
Whereas that collaboration was renewed initially of this yr, Ferrari is ready to take a extra lively position within the growth of battery know-how shifting ahead, with the model having introduced that it’ll produce its first all-electric automobile by the tip of 2025.
The numerous funding has led to potential contact with System E, and when requested by Autosport if talks had been held with Ferrari, Dodds replied: “Possibly.”
He added: “They’ve introduced an electrification plant in Italy and talked a couple of future electrical line for them. First time they’ve mentioned it as a pure electrical line versus a hybrid.”
Whereas Ferrari is synonymous with System 1, it has most not too long ago returned to racing within the World Endurance Championship’s high class final season, successful outright on the Le Mans 24 Hours for the primary time since 1965 with the 499P Le Mans Hypercar.
Winner #51 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi
Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Images
In System E, which in 2024 hits a decade since its first occasions have been staged, a number of high-profile producers have already pledged themselves to the brand new Gen4 period which begins in 2026-27.
This contains Nissan, Porsche and Jaguar, with Dodds totally conscious of the attraction that Ferrari would carry if it have been to hitch.
“I believe it [having Ferrari involved] would elevate the championship,” he mentioned.
“We’re tremendous fortunate as a result of Porsche has the identical form of motorsport historical past that runs via their blood and Maserati do as properly, though they clearly got here out of motorsport at a time when Ferrari stayed in.
“I believe what Ferrari carry is, aside from extra motorsport credibility, they carry this loyal fanbase, the tifosi, which is unbelievable.
“So I believe by way of attracting legacy motorsport followers to return and take a look at our motorsport, I believe Ferrari would do an awesome job of that.
“Clearly, I’d reasonably have them in than not in. I believe it could elevate the championship, whether or not it’s exponential or game-changing would stay to be seen, however clearly, they sit on a department of their very own.”
When approached for touch upon whether or not it had any curiosity in becoming a member of System E, a Ferrari spokesperson mentioned: “Our focus immediately is on F1 and endurance – and [we] have not too long ago introduced we shall be taking the race the place we by no means have earlier than – water [having announced a sailing project earlier this year].”
Begin motion, Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23 leads
Picture by: Andreas Beil
Concerning the brand new electrical plant, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna final month mentioned: “For me, the e-building represents three issues.
“The primary is the potential of creating strategic elements internally, the batteries, the axles and your complete automobile.
“The second is the potential of constructing all automobiles, not solely electrical ones but in addition hybrid ones, with extra sustainable applied sciences. The effectivity of the machines we’ll use within the e-building shall be better.
“Third, it reveals that we consider sooner or later, within the want for brand new applied sciences, and we should be prepared for that.”