Phil Hanson has received a significant boost ahead of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign after securing official factory driver status with Ferrari. The British racer has signed a long-term contract with the legendary Italian manufacturer, cementing his place within the marque’s endurance racing programme.
The promotion follows a breakthrough period for Hanson in top-level sportscar racing. Ferrari confirmed the move as it continues to strengthen its Hypercar roster after a highly successful campaign in the championship.
A rapid rise through endurance racing
Hanson’s ascent in endurance racing has been both swift and impressive. The Briton first made a major mark on the international scene after claiming the Britcar Endurance Championship title in 2016 while still a teenager.
Since then, he has steadily built an enviable résumé. Hanson captured championships in both the Asian Le Mans Series and the European Le Mans Series before stepping onto the FIA WEC stage during the 2019/20 ‘Super Season’.
Competing with United Autosports in LMP2, Hanson delivered an outstanding debut campaign. He won half of the races he entered that season, dominating the class battle and securing the championship.
One of Hanson’s early LMP2 victories came at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, he achieved an even greater milestone last year when he returned to the famous race and triumphed again—this time in the overall-winning Hypercar category.
Driving the privately entered #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P in distinctive Giallo Modena colours, Hanson secured victory alongside Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye. Their success extended Ferrari’s remarkable winning streak at the iconic endurance event.
The victory came during Hanson’s second season in the Hypercar class and marked a defining moment in his career.
Beyond the Le Mans triumph, the #83 crew delivered a consistently strong campaign throughout the season. Their results helped AF Corse capture the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams reserved for independent entries, sealing the title with two rounds still remaining.
Hanson, Kubica and Ye also remained firmly in contention for the overall Drivers’ World Championship. Ultimately, the trio narrowly missed the crown by just 16 points to the sister #51 Ferrari crew.
Hanson secures Ferrari factory driver status with multi-year deal ahead of 2026 WEC campaign
Nevertheless, the performances proved enough to earn Hanson a promotion into Ferrari’s official driver ranks. By securing factory driver status, Hanson now follows team-mate Yifei Ye in joining Ferrari’s elite group of official drivers competing at the pinnacle of endurance racing.
“I’m immensely proud to join Ferrari as an official factory driver and to continue my journey in FIA WEC,” he enthused. “I have admired Ferrari since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until working alongside them in 2025 that I came to appreciate the team’s relentless pursuit of winning. I’m honoured to be able to continue building upon the success achieved last season, but above all to become part of the Prancing Horse family.”
Ferrari’s leadership also praised Hanson’s contributions during the previous season and expressed confidence in his future within the programme.
“After a successful season with the AF Corse team, during which he not only won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the #83 499P but also showed consistency and excellent performance throughout the championship, Phil has earned Ferrari’s full confidence,” added Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti.
“We are therefore delighted to welcome him into our family as part of the group of official drivers, convinced that the journey we are about to undertake will continue to be successful, just like in 2025.”
With a factory contract now secured, Hanson enters the next phase of his career with significant momentum. The 26-year-old has already demonstrated his ability to win at the highest level of endurance racing, and Ferrari’s decision signals its belief that he can continue delivering results in the Hypercar era.
