Ferrari 499P
James Calado driving the 499P at the 2023 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
CategoryLe Mans Hypercar
ConstructorFerrari (Dallara)[1]
Designer(s)Flavio Manzoni (Design Director, Centro Stile Ferrari)
Ferdinando Cannizzo (Technical Director)
Stefano Carmassi (Technical Manager)[2]
Carlo Palazzani (Exterior Designer)[3]
Francesco Russo (Advanced Lead Designer)[3]
Silvia Cavallaro (Head of Color and Trim)[3]
PredecessorFerrari 333 SP
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
SuspensionDouble wishbones with pushrods
EngineFerrari F163[4] 2,992 cc (182.6 cu in) 120° V6[5] twin-turbocharged, longitudinally-mounted
Electric motor200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp), mounted on the front axle
TransmissionXtrac 7-speed sequential manual
BatteryFerrari 900 V
Power671 bhp (680 PS; 500 kW) (Petrol)
268 bhp (272 PS; 200 kW) (Electric)
Weight1,030 kg (2,270.8 lb)
FuelTotalEnergies
LubricantsShell Helix Ultra
BrakesBrembo carbon 380/355mm with Brembo Monobloc 6-piston calipers[5]
TyresMichelin slicks with OZ one-piece forged alloys, 29/71-18 front and 34/71-18 rear[5]
Competition history
Notable entrantsFerrari – AF Corse
Notable drivers
Debut2023 1000 Miles of Sebring
First win2023 24 Hours of Le Mans
Last win2023 24 Hours of Le Mans
Last event2023 8 Hours of Bahrain
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
71621

The Ferrari 499P is a sports prototype built by Scuderia Ferrari to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship in the Le Mans Hypercar category since 2023.[6] The introduction of the 499P marks 50 years since Ferrari last fielded a factory-backed sports prototype that contested for the overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and one of the 499Ps raced with the number 50 as a tribute.[7]

The car was unveiled at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali, Ferrari's annual finale for their one-make series, Ferrari Challenge.[8] The car made its competitive debut at the season-opening round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship, the 2023 1000 Miles of Sebring.[9] On its first outing at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 499P driven by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado won the race.[10] It was Ferrari's first overall victory at Le Mans since the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, ending the streak of five victories by Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Specifications

The 499P was designed under the Le Mans Hypercar regulations, therefore it does not feature the standardised parts such as the ones found in cars designed to the Le Mans Daytona h regulations, which the 499P races against.[11] The aerodynamics of the 499P were developed in conjunction with Ferrari's Styling Centre, headed by Flavio Manzoni, under Ferdinando Cannizzo, head of Ferrari's sports car engineering department.[12]

The car's 2,992 cc (182.6 cu in) twin-turbocharged V6 engine architecture is shared with the Ferrari 296 and its Group GT3 counterpart, the 296 GT3.[13] However, instead of being mounted to the subframe as in the road-going vehicle, the engine is a fully stressed member in the 499P, and has had various modifications to accommodate its new role as a stress-bearing member.[12] The 499P has semi-permanent all-wheel drive, with an electric motor situated at the front axle, providing 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp) above 190 km/h (118 mph) (as stipulated by the regulations), and is connected to a bespoke 900 V battery pack, with the ability to be recharged by Ferrari's own Energy Recovery System (ERS).[12][14][15]

The aerodynamics of the 499P have been developed in collaboration with the Ferrari Styling Center, led by Flavio Manzoni and under the supervision of Ferdinando Cannizzo, head of the sports car engineering department in Maranello. As per LMH regulations, the car does not use standardized parts like those found in vehicles designed according to the Le Mans Daytona h regulations.

Racing results

Complete World Endurance Championship results

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2023 Italy Ferrari – AF Corse Hypercar Italy Antonio Fuoco
Spain Miguel Molina
Denmark Nicklas Nielsen 		50 All
All
All 		SEB
3 		POR
2 		SPA
Ret 		LMN
5 		MON
2 		FUJ
4 		BHR
3 		161 2nd
United Kingdom James Calado
Italy Antonio Giovinazzi
Italy Alessandro Pier Guidi 		51 All
All
All 		SEB
7 		POR
6 		SPA
3 		LMN
1 		MON
5 		FUJ
5 		BHR
6

499P Modificata

The 499P Modificata was unveiled during the 2023 Ferrari Finali Mondiali. It is a non-competitive, unrestricted, track-only version of the 499P, made to celebrate Ferrari's victory at Le Mans that year.[16]

References

  1. ^ Goodwin, Graham (14 March 2023). "Chassis Change For #51 Ferrari Hypercar After Prologue Accident". Daily Sports Car.
  2. ^ "Ferrari 499P, the development of the Maranello Hypercar's Aerodynamics". Ferrari. 21 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Ferrari (28 October 2023). "Ferrari Hypercar | The Design of the Hypercar". Retrieved 28 October 2023 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Entry List 2023" (PDF). 24 Hours of Le Mans (in French). Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Pund, Daniel (29 October 2022). "The Ferrari 499P Is a Le Mans Racer 50 Years in the Making". Road & Track. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  6. ^ Jenkins, Sam (30 October 2022). "Ferrari 499P revealed as 2023 Le Mans Hypercar contender". evo. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  7. ^ James, Richard S. (30 October 2022). "Ferrari introduces its 499P Hypercar". Racer. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  8. ^ Watkins, Gary (30 October 2022). "Ferrari unveils Le Mans Hypercar, the 499P, in full race livery". motorsport.com. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  9. ^ Watkins, Gary (30 October 2022). "Ferrari launches new 499P Le Mans Hypercar for 2023 WEC". autosport. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari beats Toyota in race of attrition". 11 June 2023.
  11. ^ Smith, Damien (29 October 2022). "Ferrari 499P is 670bhp racer built to attack Le Mans". autocar. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  12. ^ a b c James, Richard S. (29 October 2022). "ANALYSIS: Ferrari 499P tech dive". Racer. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  13. ^ Tate, James (30 October 2022). "Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar Revealed". Car & Driver. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  14. ^ Padeanu, Adrian (29 October 2022). "Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar Breaks Cover With Twin-Turbo V6". motor1. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Hypercar's Balance Of Performance Set For Sebring | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Ferrari 499P Modificata: limited-series sports prototype for non-competitive use unveiled". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

External links

Scuderia Ferrari
Dallara Automobili
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