Ferrari 499P in Mugello before heading to Bahrain

WECHyperCar

Oct 25

The “Queen “ at Mugello

Prior to the round that will bring the curtain down on the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship at Bahrain, the Ferrari 499P, the “queen” of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will feature at the Finali Mondiali Ferrari at the Mugello Circuit over the weekend. The winning Hypercar from the centenary edition of the world's most renowned endurance race will be on display in the paddock and will also make an appearance on the track, parading around the Tuscan track as part of the Ferrari Show on Sunday 29. The public will have free access to the lawn from Friday 27 October to Sunday 29 October (entrance from the “Cancello Palagio”). Source: Ferrari

Back to action at Bahrain.

The Ferrari 499Ps return to action for the grand finale of the FIA World Endurance Championship – the 8 Hours of Bahrain – scheduled at the Sakhir circuit. The race will get underway on Saturday 4 November at 2 p.m. local time.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Spa-Francorchamps. Both Ferrari 499P above “Le Raidillon” during 2023 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

55 days after the previous round in Fuji, Japan, which ended with a fourth and fifth place respectively for Hypercars number 50 and 51, the Ferrari – AF Corse team will be back in the spotlight for the seventh round of the World Endurance Championship in a race that will prove decisive for the drivers’ title.

Still mathematically in the running

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. Sunday lunch time, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi are leading the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023.

The race sees 39 points up for grabs overall, 38 for the race victory and a point for pole position. Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, third in the standings, arrive at Bahrain with a 31-point gap from the leaders of the rankings.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans 2023. Antonio Fuoco setting fastest lap during hyperbole at 24 Hours of Le Mans; both Ferrari 499P will start from front row.

Five points further back, in fourth place, are teammates Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen. Therefore, both the number 51 and number 50 499P crews are still mathematically in the running for the drivers' title in the Hypercar class; however, in the run-up to the Persian Gulf race, the challenge appears far from straightforward. Source: Ferrari

Clear references to Ferrari’s stylistic tradition.

The Hypercar features clear references to Ferrari’s stylistic tradition. “The design concept focused on synthesising technology and function, using simple shapes and geometries, creating a harmonious contrast between two different formal languages we find in Ferrari’s DNA,” explains Francesco Russo, Advanced Lead Designer. “On the one hand fluid forms and sculptural volumes, on the other flatter surfaces and very taut lines. We can find an example of the former language in the cars of the 1960s, such as the 250 GTO, while the latter typified the 1970s. The 499P features this latter language in the rear, which ends in a taut, minimalistic and iconic luminous ‘blade’.”

Inspired by the 1970s, the 499P’s livery pays homage to the Ferrari 312 PB, the last car to compete in the top endurance class before this season’s return. “We reinterpreted that sport prototype’s livery to match perfectly with the lines of the 499P, emphasising its seductive forms while at the same time giving the car dynamism,” said Silvia Cavallaro, Head of Colour & Trim. “We developed a new colour for the 2023 season called ‘Rosso Le Mans’ red. The same shade was also used for this year’s Formula 1 single-seater, in this case in a matt finish. However, on the Hypercar, we opted for a high-gloss finish to ensure the best circuit performance, even during the night-time stages of endurance races. This particular red was combined with ‘Giallo Modena’ yellow.” Source: Ferrari

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Monza. Hypercars launch after first safety car regroup.

The upcoming weekend at the circuit, established in 2004 and previously used for testing the 499Ps in September, is set to begin on Thursday 2 November, featuring the first two free practice sessions at 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Friday 3 November will see the third free practice session, from 12 p.m., and the 15-minute qualifying session for the Hypercar class from 5:05 p.m., which will dictate the starting grid for the 8 Hours, with a green flag scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. (times are local).