The tides have shifted for Ferrari’s ambitious foray into the open ocean. Since we last tracked the progress of the “Hypersail” project, a significant transition in the back office and on the deck has signaled a pivot in the Scuderia’s maritime philosophy.
A Change in Command
As of April 2nd, the legendary Giovanni Soldini has officially handed over the helm. Stepping into the breach as the new project leader is Enrico Voltolini, a seasoned veteran whose task is now to steer the project toward its highly anticipated launch later this year.
While Soldini’s departure marks the end of an initial chapter, it has also brought some of the project’s internal tensions to the surface. Former leadership suggested a long-term focus on the grueling Transatlantic ocean races testing man and machine against the raw elements of the Atlantic. However, Maranello appears to be looking toward a different horizon: Endurance.
The “Beyond Rules” Philosophy
Perhaps the most definitive update comes directly from the top. Chairman John Elkann has officially ruled out an entry into the America’s Cup, silencing months of speculation in the sailing world.
Elkann’s reasoning is pure Ferrari: the America’s Cup is a theater of strict regulations and design boxes. The Hypersail, by contrast, is being built as a “pure innovation platform.” According to Elkann, the goal is to “go beyond rules,” creating a vessel that isn’t constrained by the administrative tape of traditional regattas.
The Ultimate Target: The Jules Verne Trophy
While the America’s Cup is off the table, Ferrari has set its sights on the “Everest of Sailing”: the Jules Verne Trophy. This prize is awarded for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe, non-stop and unassisted.
The indication of their participation is no longer just a rumor; the Hypersail is being engineered specifically to “pulverize” the existing around-the-world records. By choosing a 100-foot foiling monohull design a radical departure from the massive trimarans that currently dominate the Jules Verne history books Ferrari is betting that their automotive aerodynamic expertise can provide a “spaceship” capable of sustained speeds in the mid-40s and peaks near 50 knots.
The transition to Voltolini as project leader marks the shift from this design phase into “validation.” The goal is clear: a vessel with zero carbon emissions and total energy autonomy, capable of surviving the Southern Ocean without a single “pit stop.”
What’s Next?
By positioning the Hypersail as a laboratory for performance rather than a seeker of existing trophies, Ferrari is essentially creating its own category. With Voltolini at the lead, the focus now intensifies on the technical integration of Maranello’s aerodynamic and materials expertise into a hull designed to fly over the water.
Confused? Perhaps. But in the world of Ferrari, if you aren’t disrupting the status quo, you aren’t moving fast enough. The water-ready prototype is expected to hit the waves in late 2026, finally showing the world what “going beyond the rules” looks like in carbon fiber and salt spray.
