Sorry Andreas--you set the table on that one:)
I think it would be great if they did both. A factory backed Lemans team i would like to see. I have attended the Lemans for 15 years now and want to see them back.
Le Mans has lost a lot of its cache' now that reliability has become so much less of an issue. Besides you need a diesel to compete and heaven forbid we ever see a Ferrari running on Derv.
It's a big question and Ferrari abandoning F1 in favor of Le Mans is about as likely as Tiger Woods leaving golf for tennis. Would certainly be interesting though. Le Mans had LDM in attendace this year as Grand Marshall and we may only image how the meetings behind closed doors went. It's about competition though as highlighted by the Audi and Peugeot diesel wars. Ferrari has the diesel technology available to them through their FIAT subsidaries just as Peugeot consigned Judd to build their engines. Ferrari joining LMP1 would stimulate others to join so there would effectively be a Italian-German-French battle at the world's most important race, the Brits, Japanese and even Americans may be tempted to join the fray. The ACO is on the verge of some rules changes of their own however and have just allowed Nissan to enter GT-Rs and Maserati the MC-12s from FIA GT so things appear to be returning to production-based formula in order to gain entries. RM
I don't even have to give an answer on here because ya'll know my answer without asking. F1 is taking a step back to dark ages with spec this and spec that; no tire manufacturer after 2010, cars can't overtake; circuits are becoming sterile; the "pinnacle" is falling from the top of the tree.....at least the teams running the F430's in LMS, ALMS, FIA-GT have upheld Ferrari VICTORIES when the F1 cars are a POS. Ferrari has some fantastic FACTORY DRIVERS other than FA and FM. As Roots Mon said, 2010 is a time of some adjustments but 2011 the big changes will occur within the ACO regs. With the upcoming changes, the diesels are being put on par with the petrol engines. We've not been attending the 24h nearly as long as sambomydog and probably RM, but it's been an annual event for us for the past 5 years and headed back again in '10 and again.....not a boring race but a 24 hour SPRINT race.....glad to see the MC12 run Back to the roots.... Ferrari - sportscars the first Ferrari designed by Enzo was an AAC (Auto Avio Costruzione) a 1940 sportscar but couldn't be called a Ferrari because of Alfa Romeo so it was the AAC tipo 815 - not a great racing machine, only 2 manufactured 1949 Chinetti got Ferrari's 1st win in motorsports with a 166m at the 24hour; Nart in 1965 got Ferrari's final LM 24h win in 1954 Ferrari won against the new Jaguar "D" type; 1958 the V12 TR won against Aston, Maserati; in 1960 Jaguar introduced the prototype "E" type - Ferrari won 6 of the top 7 places; another win in 1961 for the Ferrari TR; 1962 saw the introduction of a prototype class, leading to a Ferrari 4 litre winning for Phil Hill & Oliver Gendebien; 1964 saw the first Ford USA entries - Lola-built, cars were the forerunners to the legendary GT40, but . . Ferrari won for a fifth year in succession; 1965 = 6 wins for Ferrari; 1970 - first win for the 917; 1971 only 13 cars finished, 3 were Ferraris (which finished 3rd ,4th and 5th), all the others were Porsches Ferrari DOMINATED the World Sportcar Championship; 1972 was the World Champion of Makes BB512 LM; 333 SP; F430 have all been successful for Ferrari Carol
It would be cool if they went back to LM and did F1 at the same time (perhaps when the economy improves and more sponsors are available). I think I may attend 1 24h race...Don't think I'll be entertained by the cars though, but more by beer. Severe lack of fanny though...Hmm. I could just spend that money on going to brazil F1 instead. wall to wall fanny, great clubs and likely an entertaining race (name one year brazil wasn't!)!
Maybe you should go to the Lemans, you will be surprised. There is good racing going on and its all a great spectacle. Plenty of overtaking and plenty of spins and crashes. Also the cars/drivers and pit lanes are open and available to Jo public, which is more that can be said for F1. Last year i believe there was 5 F1 drivers driving in the Lemans. Then you have the pre race build up that lasts all week, including drivers parades through the streets and exotic car events. As for the fanny, its about in a good quantity Its all about the experience at the Lemans, oit would be great to have Ferrari back at this historic event. Thank god for Risi Ferrari and the likes.
Hmm. Have to check it out sometime and not willing to write it of just yet! My best friend is a big fan of Le Mans...He's been trying to go for years now...I'm willing to give it a shot. There must be some good looking girls there.
Earlier in the year, my hope was Ferrari pulled out of F1. My though was they would then focus more efforts on autos closer to an actual road going car, or at least the technology would more quickly find it's way to the consumer. F1 drains resources.
About time, I know. Now I can see what you captains of industry are saying behind my back in the locked sections...
+1 And just for the record: Ferrari won Le Mans this year. As well as last year. So the question is irrelevant.