Azimut Yachts and Ferrari announce partnership for Hypersail project

Italian shipyard Azimut Yachts and luxury automobile manufacturer Ferrari have announced a new partnership for the Ferrari Hypersail, Ferrari's new 30-metre sailing monohull designed for offshore ocean racing.

The yard now becomes the technical and official yachting partner of Ferrari Hypersail, with Azimut's Livorno facilities acting as Hypersail’s official operational base. 

The partnership will also include an Azimut Fly 72 x Ferrari Hypersail: a custom tow boat developed by Azimut’s technical department to support the Hypersail during initial testing and subsequent test campaigns.

The Fly 72 has been designed as a high-performance yacht capable of propelling the prototype sailing project to a speed of up to 30 knots during initial trials (without mast and sails), as well as supporting the dynamics of take-off and flying on the foils. 

As a result, the platform has been customised through targeted adjustments to the power-to-weight ratio: a "drastic weight-reduction programme" through carbon fibre has reduced the overall weight by six tonnes, while 4,000hp has been integrated into the structural and systems architecture - doubling the model’s power with a configuration developed exclusively for Ferrari Hypersail.

The entire onboard configuration has also been customised to accommodate the Hypersail team (led by Enrico Voltolini) and make their work easier during testing. In later phases, the Azimut Fly 72 will also be used to accommodate the crew and provide VIP hospitality. Ultimately, the vessel will support the Ferrari Hypersail team from initial testing through to major worldwide events.

"We are the only brand in the industry with an independent R&D department focused exclusively on developing solutions that don’t yet exist on the market," said Azimut Yachts' general manager Andrea Antichi. "It’s a choice driven by an insatiable hunger for progress, the same progress that has resulted in our joining forces with the visionary Ferrari Hypersail project. We are proud to be part of this challenging endeavour that generates new knowledge and inspiration for the yachting world."

The new Livorno base will serve as the project's headquarters for both shore-based and offshore operations, featuring "top-tier" infrastructure to support development phases and water testing. The facility will also house offices for the project team, engineers and shore crew, alongside gyms, athletic preparation areas and specialised laboratories for hydraulic, electrical and mechanical components, plus 3D printing. 

The site will also act as a hub for partners, stakeholders and guests, fostering collaboration across all entities contributing to Ferrari Hypersail. With direct access to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the location provides diverse sea conditions essential for continuous testing, while its proximity to Maranello ensures seamless integration with Ferrari's engineering and design departments.

Lorenzo Giorgetti, chief racing revenue officer at Ferrari, added: "The Ferrari Hypersail project was born out of the desire to create something never seen before, bringing Ferrari’s racing DNA to the world of ocean sailing yachts. We are delighted to have Azimut Yachts on board; their contribution to the custom tow boat project and the Livorno Operational Base will support a series of key activities during the project’s development and testing phase."

The breakthrough ocean racing monohull is currently under construction, with an anticipated launch date of late 2026. Once delivered in 2027, Ferrari Hypersail will be the first of its size to be entirely self-sufficient, operating on renewable sources such as solar and wind, as well as crew-generated energy.