24 HOURS OF LE MANS. Absent since 1973, Ferrari will be back at the biggest endurance race in the world on June 10 and 11. Rather efficient during the first races of the season, the 499P can nourish ambitions.
The centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans could not have dreamed of better. In addition to the return of Peugeot, whose last participation dates back to 2011, the organizers of the most famous endurance race can be proud of the presence on 10 and 11 June of the most prestigious car manufacturer in the world: Ferrari. The official Italian brand had not set its wheels on the 24 Hours circuit since…1973 (a private team had participated in the premier category in the 1995, 1997 and 1998 editions, editor’s note). Fifty years later, the Maranello firm has just reconnected the thread of its history with Le Mans, and it is perhaps no coincidence that this great return comes for the 100th anniversary of the first edition, disputed in 1923.
Winner of the race nine times, between 1949 and 1965, Ferrari slipped away a few years after its last victory, leaving the Porsches – the record holder for success at Le Mans (19) -, Audis and other Toyotas to shine on the Sarthe circuit. But at the start of 2021, the prancing horse brand announced its big comeback in the World Endurance Championship for 2023, and at the same time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the fourth round of the WEC calendar this year. In an attempt to return to the top, Scuderia engineers have developed the 499P, a hybrid-powered prototype, flocked with the numbers 50 – to recall the 50-year absence – and 51.
Photos of the Ferrari 499P, an aggressive and elegant look
Under the hood of the racing car, it is a twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by that of the 296 GT3 racing car, which propels the Ferrari, whose four-wheel drive. Its power tops out at 680 hp, as stipulated by the FIA regulations for competing in the premier category of the 24 Hours. The front axle is driven by a 272 hp electric motor, powered by a 900 V battery. In terms of design, the 499P is a clever mix of flat and rounded lines, at the level of the wheels and from the roof, giving it an elegant yet aggressive look. At the rear, its prominent spoiler reinforces its aerodynamics. The set, delivered of course in red, with a few yellow stripes on the hood, the roof, the wings and the spoiler, reflects the Ferrari identity well.
And what does it look like on the track? After the first three rounds of the World Endurance Championship, the results are quite convincing and put a smile on the faces of the Maranello engineers. From the first race, in mid-March at Sebring (United States), the Scuderia placed one of its cars on the podium. In Florida, in the 1000 mile format, the n°50 followed closely behind the Toyota Gazoo, five-time title holders at Le Mans. A month later, during the 6 Hours of Portimão, the Ferraris confirmed their good debut, the n°50, again, grabbing second place, while the n°51 was sixth. Finally, during the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps at the end of April, the 499P was once again on the podium, on the third step, but this time it was the n°51 which knew the honors when the n°50, although in the nails after four hours of racing, ended up in the wall following a pilot error by the Italian Antonio Fuoco, just after leaving the pits to change tires.
Who are the drivers behind the wheel of the 499P?
After three rounds in 2023, all won by Toyota, which will still be the big favorite in La Sarthe, the Ferraris have established themselves as the number one outsider for victory at Le Mans. ”We know that Toyota will be the favourite, but we will do our best and play all our cards, Alessandro Pier Guidi recently declared on the official website of the Italian firm. It’s a long race, and many factors, starting with reliability, can be crucial. We hope to obtain an excellent result.” The experienced transalpine driver (39 years old), specialized in endurance racing since 2017, will be at the wheel of the Ferrari n°51 with his compatriot Antonio Giovinazzi, seen in Formula 1 for two seasons between 2019 and 2021, and Briton James Calado. The prototype n°50 will pass to him between the hands of the Italian Antonio Fuoco, the Spaniard Miguel Molina and the Dane Nicklas Nielsen.
Engaged with the AF Corse team, managed by the former driver Amato…Ferrari (no relation to Enzo Ferrari), the 499P will inevitably be one of the attractions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the same way as the Peugeot 9X8, during the second weekend of June. And the prestigious Italian brand, not always to its advantage lately in Formula 1, intends very quickly to reconnect with its glorious past. From this year?