Ferrari is venturing into ocean racing with the development of the Hypersail, a 100-foot foiling monohull yacht designed to be fully self-sufficient and powered by advanced electric and renewable energy technologies. Scheduled to launch next year, the Hypersail aims to break the Jules Verne Trophy record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe, currently held by the Sodebo Ultim 3 at 40 days, 10 hours, and 45 minutes.
The initiative stems from Ferrari’s interest in applying its motor racing expertise and electric vehicle technology to a new arena. A year after commencing work on its first electric car in 2021, Ferrari’s executive chair John Elkann proposed the idea of exploring ocean racing as a development platform. After months of evaluation, the company’s engineers decided to move forward with the Hypersail project, which is described by chief technology officer Matteo Lanzavecchia as a “laboratory” for innovation rather than a luxury yacht production venture.
Built predominantly from carbon fibre, the Hypersail is equipped with solar panels, wind turbines, and systems that convert the crew’s muscle power into electricity, allowing it to operate without a combustion engine and generate all the energy needed during its races. The yacht’s propulsion includes foils and a keel powered by the same electric rear e-axle found on Ferrari’s new electric sports car, the Luce, launched earlier this year. This technological crossover is intended to ensure reliability and performance under demanding offshore conditions.
Ferrari has also integrated technology derived from its limited-edition hybrid hypercar, the 12Cilindri Manuale, into the Hypersail’s winch system, enabling a “winch-by-wire” mechanism that assists with sail trimming by converting manual effort into electrical power. According to the project leader Enrico Voltolini, a professional sailor and naval engineer, this represents a blend of mechanical and electronic systems to optimize energy use and performance.
Beyond technology transfer from automotive to marine applications, Ferrari is experimenting with materials from aerospace and military sectors for both the yacht and potential future vehicle uses. The company has developed a simulation tool to evaluate materials such as titanium and carbon fibre for strength and lightness, which can inform designs in both domains.
Ferrari’s decision to enter offshore racing also reflects the less restrictive regulatory environment compared to Formula 1, allowing greater freedom to innovate technologically. Construction of the Hypersail is expected to conclude by the end of 2026, with sea trials and crew training set to begin in 2027. While ambitious in its goals, the project team acknowledges inherent challenges, including the need for crew rest during extended races, which may limit top speeds despite technological advances.
The development timeline is projected to continue through 2031, allowing Ferrari to test, refine, and attempt to surpass the Jules Verne record. As Lanzavecchia noted, the company plans to use the coming years not only to chase speed records but also to evolve the design and technology of the yacht progressively. This effort represents a broader strategy by Ferrari to push boundaries in energy management and sustainable performance across different transportation fields.