Ferrari Hypercar: the beginning of a dream that goes down in history with the 499P
- Camilla Coletta
- Nov 2, 2022
- 4 min read
The “Rossa” returns after 50 years since its last race in the mother category of the World Sport Prototypes Championship. Presented last October 30th at Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola, , during the Ferrari Finali Mondiali, the 499p is ready, ready to return the name of Ferrari to the mother category of this world championship. Let's take a deeper look at this car, its possible drivers and the team that will run it.
"We have approached this challenge with humility, but aware of a history that has allowed us to win more than 20 world titles and nine overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans"
The words of John Elkann, Ferrari Executive Chairman.
The Hystory
Ferrari's history in the Endurance world began in 1949, when the Maranello-based company won the 24 Hours of Le Mans just two years after the first car left that factory; in the same year Ferrari took part the 1000 miles and the 24 Hours of Spa.
It was certainly a winning story for the Maranello company, which won 7 times in 9 years in the World Sport Prototype Championship and continued to dominate the rankings until the early 1960s. For the next 5 years it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans every year, and in 1967 it won the 24 Hours of Daytona with an all-Ferrari podium.
In 1967 came Ferrari's last victory in the World Sport Prototypes championship and, with the end of the 1973 season, the Rossa's history in the Endurance world also ended, the story of a winning Ferrari put aside to focus on Formula 1.
In 1984, the Sport Prototypes F333 SP was built for customer racing: a car that won on its debut, beginning a long series of victories. Every model built in the next millennium would be a winner. Ferrari has won the World Endurance Championship, formerly the World Sport Prototype Championship, eight times to date.
Name and Numbers
Ferrari's LMH is called the 499P, a name that follows the history of Ferrari prototypes, characterized by the letter P in the name, preceded by the engine's displacement number.
The numbers of the two cars will be 51 and 50, respectively.
50 as the years that have passed since the last time a Ferrari had raced in the mother category at Le Mans and 51 one of the most successful numbers in the history of the “Rossa”.
The team
AF Corse will be the team that will take charge, together with Ferrari, of these two cars. AF Corse was founded in 2003, the year in which it took over the management of the Maserati Cup; it began its collaboration with the Maranello-based company in 2006, winning the FIA GT with the F430 GT2, taking the team, drivers and constructors' titles on its debut. Great successes of Ferrari have been achieved together with AF Corse in many championships and, since 2012, in the World Endurance Championship. The team will take the name AF Corse - Ferrari.
The Drivers
For the announcement of the official drivers we will still have to wait but, in the meantime, let's take a look at the contenders for the seats of these two wonderful cars.
Bringing the 499P to debut at Fiorano was last year's world champion Alessandro Pier Guidi along with teammate Nicklas Nielsen, followed then by Andrea Bertolini, Davide Rigon, Miguel Molina, Antonio Fuoco and Alessio Rovera.
The Engine
The 499P has a hybrid powertrain, so we find a heat engine and an electric motor. The heat engine, which is located mid-rear, is inspired by the powertrain of the 296 GT3. The Internal Combustion Engine unit is derived from the twin-turbo road-going V6s and, as per the regulations, has a maximum output is 500 kW, or 680 horsepower. The electric motor, on the other hand, is located at the front, this has a maximum output of 200 kW, or 272 hp. The battery is recharged during braking and deceleration, so it does not require external charging sources.
The lines and the chassis
The LMH of Maranello features futuristic shapes that meet with the history of its roots through the livery. Wheel arches characterize the prototype with large openings on the surface that function to reduce pressure inside. The rear of the car shows the wheels and suspension by leaving them exposed, and the tail, with double horizontal wings, ensures maximum aerodynamic load performance.
"It was an unprecedented challenge that stimulated everyone to bring their best resources into play and led to a 360-degree collaboration involving all areas of the company and technical partners."
Said Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Ferrari GT Track Car Development
The livery
Ferrari has made the choice to give homage to its history with the livery of its new Hypercar inspired by that of the Ferrari 312 PB that in 1973 raced at La Sarthe for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unmissable is the iconic red color that dominates the car, the yellow stripe runs through it centrally framing the number just like on the '73 car. The LMH has a very clean livery also thanks to the few sponsors placed symmetrically.
"We wanted to pay homage to our history, with many small and large reminders of a past of successes and titles. In doing so, however, we looked ahead, creating a manifesto of our commitment to the endurance world championship."
Said Antonello Coletta, Head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT.
A history that counts 22 world titles and 9 overall victories at Le Mans that of Ferrari is retraced with a livery that pays homage to its roots.
During the next few weeks we'll publish articles focused on every car that will race in the Hypercar class next year. Sign up to our newsletter to keep updated with every news on the 7 Hypercars who will race in 2023!
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