Ferrari embarks on hypersail adventure: revolutionary Ocean Racing Yacht set for 2026 debut

Ferrari Expands Horizons with "Hypersail" Ocean Racing Project

Ferrari, renowned for its prowess on the Formula 1 track and endurance racing circuits, is making waves—literally—with its foray into the competitive world of ocean sailing. In a groundbreaking announcement at its Maranello headquarters on Wednesday, the Italian giant unveiled the "Hypersail" project, promising a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and time-honored racing tradition.

Leading the project is legendary Italian yachtsman Giovanni Soldini, a veteran with more than three decades of ocean competition under his belt. At its core is a historic innovation: the world's first 100-foot monohull ocean-racing yacht equipped with a keel foil. The state-of-the-art design, by acclaimed French naval architect Guillaume Verdier, is currently under construction at an undisclosed Italian facility, with a highly anticipated launch slated for 2026.

Ferrari’s Competitive Spirit in a New Arena

Ferrari Chairman John Elkann highlighted how Hypersail reflects the brand's enduring spirit of competition and innovation:

"It perfectly aligns with Ferrari's tradition, drawing inspiration from our Hypercar, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans," Elkann remarked. "Designing a yacht for offshore racing is perhaps the ultimate expression of endurance."

While Ferrari's presence in Formula 1 dates back to the championship’s inception in 1950, its recent motorsport triumphs have centered on endurance racing, with victories in the past three Le Mans 24 Hours events. Hypersail extends this winning formula into uncharted waters, setting the stage for Ferrari to redefine performance on the high seas.

Technological Innovation and Sustainability

One of the most striking features of the prototype is its energy self-sufficiency, a first in the world of ocean racing yachts. Equipped with three points of contact for stability, including a canting keel to support one of its foils, the yacht will marry speed with sustainability.

Though poised to break new ground, Elkann ruled out competing in prestigious events like the America’s Cup, saying:

"America's Cup is regulated, and this boat is thought to go beyond rules. This project gives us the chance to experiment in new areas."

Challenges and Timeline

The ambitious project involves a dedicated team of 20 full-time specialists, supported by an additional 80-90 contributors. Soldini tempered expectations about the timeline, explaining that Hypersail's complexity demanded measured steps:

"The boat will be launched next year, and then we'll start a debugging phase which will hopefully last a short time," he stated.

While the team has set its sights on a 2026 launch, Soldini avoided committing to specifics:

"It’s obvious that we have quite a defined [time] goal, but the project is so complex that making it public today doesn’t seem very wise," he said. "We'll definitely put the boat in the water in 2026, but I’m not making any commitments about what quarter."

Crew and Motorsport Expertise

The vessel’s crew will be as streamlined as its design, with Soldini indicating a preference for a team of eight to twelve sailors. Ferrari is also incorporating elements from its motorsport expertise, including technology derived from the F80 supercar, which was unveiled in October 2022.

Cautious Optimism for Competitive Sailing

When it comes to potential competitions, Ferrari is exercising cautious optimism. Soldini explained:

"Before setting sport [competition] targets, we want to finish what we're doing, developing the boat and bringing it to sea. Then we'll see what we can and cannot do."

Though Ferrari has refrained from revealing the total investment, Chief Financial Officer Antonio Picca Piccon assured that the expense had been planned with no significant impact on capital expenditure.

Ferrari’s New Direction

The Hypersail project signals a bold and innovative new direction for Ferrari, whose influence already casts a long shadow across the world of racing. As the countdown to 2026 begins, all eyes will be on the seas to see how this iconic marque navigates the waters of elite ocean competition.

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