Ferrari has officially announced a new multi-year contract extension for British driver James Calado, confirming its intention to continue working with one of the most accomplished figures in its endurance racing program. The news, revealed on October 31, 2025, comes just days before the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain, where Ferrari remains in contention for the world titles.
James Calado, an official Ferrari driver since 2014, has been one of the cornerstones of Maranello’s motorsport division. After years of success in the GT categories – where he claimed three manufacturers’ titles in 2017, 2021, and 2022 – he became one of the main protagonists in Ferrari’s historic return to the top class of endurance racing with the Ferrari 499P Hypercar. Alongside teammates Alessandro Pier Guidi and Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado celebrated the legendary victory at the Centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, marking a milestone moment in Ferrari’s endurance history.
A partnership built on trust and results
In its official statement, Ferrari highlighted that extending Calado’s contract is a symbol of continuity and mutual trust, strengthening a technical and personal bond that has grown over more than a decade of collaboration.
Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti, expressed his satisfaction with the new deal: “This contract extension represents continuity for us. It’s a great satisfaction to continue this professional journey with James, who over the last eleven years has helped us achieve numerous titles and remarkable successes. Among them, I would like to recall the victory at the 2023 Centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s truly an honor to continue relying on James, a driver who fully belongs to the Ferrari family.”
These words reflect the key role that James Calado plays within Ferrari’s Hypercar program, especially in a fiercely competitive environment where Maranello is challenging manufacturers such as Toyota, Cadillac, and BMW.
Calado: “My only wish was to continue with Ferrari”
James Calado expressed his excitement about the contract renewal, emphasizing his deep connection with the Italian marque and his confidence in the long-term project that has defined much of his professional career since his debut with the Ferrari 488 GTE.
“I’m extremely happy to remain part of the Ferrari family as a factory driver. With the Prancing Horse, I’ve achieved many successes over the years, and I’m convinced that together we can reach even greater goals in the future. Recently, there’s been a lot of speculation about what I might do next, but in reality, my only desire was to continue racing for Ferrari. Now let’s keep our fingers crossed — in just a few days, we’ll be in Bahrain for the final round of the FIA WEC, aiming to fulfill our dream of becoming world champions.”
The renewal confirms Calado as a key figure for Ferrari AF Corse in the WEC — not only for his pace and consistency during races, but also for his crucial contribution to the technical development of the 499P. This project has marked Ferrari’s return to the top tier of endurance racing after a fifty-year absence, making James Calado one of the true leaders of this modern era.
Towards the future of the Hypercar program
With this new agreement, Ferrari secures the continuity of one of the fundamental pillars of its endurance program, while the team is already looking ahead to the challenges of 2026. James Calado’s experience and technical feedback will be essential in guiding the ongoing development of the Hypercar and reinforcing Ferrari’s role as one of the leading forces in the World Endurance Championship.
The renewal of James Calado is therefore a clear declaration of intent: the Prancing Horse is betting on stability, experience, and the quality of its people to continue writing new chapters in its racing history. It stands as a perfect example of how Ferrari manages its motorsport operations — a model that could inspire other divisions within the Maranello racing department.
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