Photo: Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0 de
Raced1963
EngineV12
Units built4
The Ferrari 250 P was created in 1963 after the FIA introduced a prototype category for the World Sportscar Championship. It was a clean-sheet design by Mauro Forghieri featuring an open cockpit, tubular spaceframe, and a mid-mounted V12 engine—the first time Ferrari placed a V12 behind the cockpit of a sports racer. The 3.0-liter produced 310 bhp at 7500 rpm. Success was immediate: the car won Le Mans, Sebring, the Nürburgring 1000 km, and the Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari built four chassis.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Good to know
- Ferrari built four 250 P chassis (0810, 0812, 0814, and 0816), along with a test mule based on a 246 SP chassis.
- The chassis shared nothing with the front-engined 250 GT cars, which culminated in the GTO and were built and sold by the dozens.
- Following the 1963 season, all four chassis were converted to 275 P or 330 P specification.
- The cars were campaigned by the works team in Europe and by NART in the Americas.
Learn moreEngineering · Chassis and racing history · From P to LM
Engineering
Mauro Forghieri engineered the 250 P as an open spider with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout: tubular spaceframe, double wishbones, rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. The V12 was mounted longitudinally, mated to a five-speed transaxle gearbox behind it. The single-cam Testa Rossa-style engine was fed by six Weber 38 DCN carburetors.
Chassis and racing history
Ferrari built four chassis bearing serial numbers 0810, 0812, 0814, and 0816, plus a development prototype based on 246 SP chassis 0796. The factory campaigned the cars in Europe, while NART handled racing in the Americas; notable drivers included John Surtees, Ludovico Scarfiotti, Willy Mairesse, Lorenzo Bandini, and Pedro Rodriguez. After the season, all four chassis were upgraded to 275 P or 330 P specification.
From P to LM
In November 1963, Ferrari revealed the 250 LM at the Paris Salon, a coupe based on the 250 P. It was intended as a new production car to satisfy the FIA requirement of 100 examples for the GT class and replace the aging front-engined GTO as a customer race car. In April 1964, the FIA denied homologation because Ferrari had produced far fewer than 100 cars and lacked similar predecessors that could be counted toward the total.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 250 P
When was the Ferrari 250 P raced?
The Ferrari 250 P was raced in 1963.
How much power does the Ferrari 250 P have?
Power of the Ferrari 250 P: 228 kW at 7,500 /min.
What engine does the Ferrari 250 P have?
Engine of the Ferrari 250 P: 2953 cm³ mid , RWD Colombo V12.
How many Ferrari 250 P were built?
4 units of the Ferrari 250 P were built.
Who engineered the Ferrari 250 P?
Engineering of the Ferrari 250 P: Mauro Forghieri.
Who drove the Ferrari 250 P?
Drivers of the Ferrari 250 P: Willy Mairesse, John Surtees, Ludovico Scarfiotti, Mike Parkes, Pedro Rodríguez, Lorenzo Bandini, Nino Vaccarella, Umberto Maglioli, Chuck Parsons.
How many races did the Ferrari 250 P win?
The Ferrari 250 P took 4 wins in 12 races.
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