Ferrari Hypersail established its new operational hub in Livorno on October 2, 2026, partnering with Azimut Yachts to develop a custom tow boat and support upcoming foil flight tests for its first 100-foot oceanic sailing prototype.
Angelo Pesci, Chief Purchasing & Quality Officer at Ferrari, noted that Hypersail stands as a symbol and expression of Made in Italy, born in the heart of Maranello, designed by Ferrari engineers, and built in Italy.
Livorno Base Accelerates Ferrari Hypersail Innovation
The new base functions as the nerve center for the project team, engineers, and shore crew.
Direct access to the Tyrrhenian Sea provides variable water conditions necessary for continuous testing campaigns. Enrico Voltolini, Project Leader of Ferrari Hypersail, noted that being able to rely on such a strategic location provides the ideal conditions to further accelerate the project’s innovation process.
“We are proud to announce our operational hub in Livorno, a fundamental milestone that represents far more than a simple workspace for the boat: this headquarters is built to be the true home of the Ferrari Hypersail project, a place designed for the Team’s daily work and to welcome everyone involved in this initiative, sharing every stage of this challenge with them”
Enrico Voltolini, Project Leader of Ferrari Hypersail, via Sail World
Flavio Manzoni, Chief Design Officer at Ferrari, led the design studio responsible for the base.
Azimut Yachts Custom Fly 72 Tow Boat Development
Before the 100-foot full-foiling monohull ever hoists a sail, it will take its initial flights behind a towline. Azimut Yachts signed on as technical partner and official yachting partner of Ferrari’s ocean sailing project under an agreement announced in Genoa on October 1, 2026, engineering a heavily modified support vessel named the Azimut Fly 72 x Ferrari Hypersail.
Extensive use of carbon fiber shaved six tonnes off the standard model’s overall weight.
During initial trials, the tow boat will pull the mastless prototype to approximately 30 knots to assist takeoff dynamics on the foils. In subsequent phases, the vessel will transition to providing safety monitoring, crew transport, and VIP hospitality.
“We are the only brand in the sector with an independent R&D department entirely dedicated to developing solutions that do not yet exist on the market. It is a choice driven by an insatiable hunger for progress, the same that brought us together with the visionary Ferrari Hypersail project,”
Andrea Antichi, General Manager of Azimut Yachts, via Pressmare
ABB Provides Direct Current Technology for Yacht Power
Beyond structural modifications at the Livorno base, the yacht relies on advanced power management systems designed for extreme marine environments. ABB joined the project as electrification partner, contributing direct current technology and electrical architecture to manage energy across the vessel.
The yacht operates on a self-sufficient microgrid utilizing 48V and 800 VDC systems.
- Navigation and onboard safety systems
- Dynamic foil controls
- Main propulsion and energy storage management
The extreme conditions of offshore sailing—balancing salt spray, low temperatures, and intense mechanical pressure—provide a high-performance testbed. Insights gathered from managing power distribution on the oceanic monohull will inform future electrical developments across industrial microgrids, data centers, and commercial shipping.
Ferrari Focuses on Commercial Opportunities and Brand Visibility
The partnership announcements coincided with modest movement on public markets. Executives emphasized that the collaboration sets the stage for broader international activities and events as the development timeline advances toward on-water trials.
“The Ferrari Hypersail project was born from the desire to create something never seen before, bringing Ferrari’s racing DNA into the world of ocean sailing,”
Lorenzo Giorgetti, Chief Racing Revenue Officer at Ferrari, via Marketscreener
stated that the strategic alignment focuses on maximizing commercial opportunities and enhancing brand visibility as the project moves closer to its operational goals.
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