Ferrari has officially unveiled its new 499P LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) prototype that will compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2023. And therefore, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ferrari will be roaring alongside Cadillac, Peugeot, Toyota and Porsche at the next edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 – from June 10 to 11, 2023 – which promises to be particularly exciting. Two Ferrari 499Ps will line up on the starting grid – they are numbered 50 and 51 – in two premier hypercar classes: LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) and LMDH (Le Mans Daytona Hybrid). These two Ferraris will also appear at Sebring (USA) on March 11-12, 2023 for the WEC season Prologue before the official competition debut on March 17 at the 1000 Miles.
“The 499 confirms our commitment to the world of endurance racing, which is part of our history and a tradition of using this type of competition to develop new technologies,” said Antonello Coletta, Ferrari’s director of sporting activities.
The name 499P follows a naming tradition dating back to Ferrari’s early days, in which the 499 represents the displacement of its six-cylinder engine in cubic centimeters and the “P” stands for prototype.
With these 499Ps, Ferrari will aim for a tenth victory at Le Mans. Between 1949 and 1965, the Cheval Cabré brand won nine times in the 24 Hours. Its last participation in the 24 Hours was in 1973, 50 years ago.
Built on a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, the Ferrari 499P is “wind design” and features complex aerodynamic styling enhanced by simple, sinuous shapes that echo the Ferrari DNA. “This car is a tribute to our past and a manifesto for our future.”
Complying with the technical regulations of the race, the hypercar is powered by a hybrid powertrain, combining a 680-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine in the rear center position with a 272-horsepower electric block. The overall maximum power output is 680 hp, coupled with a seven-speed sequential gearbox and all-wheel drive. Its weight reaches 1,030 kilos.
“The 499P allows us to return to the World Endurance Championship to fight for victory. When we made the decision to embark on this project, we embarked on a path of innovation and development, confident in our tradition on the track, the ideal terrain to push the boundaries of advanced technology and find solutions that will then be transferred to our road cars. We approach this challenge with humility, but also with an awareness of our history that has led us to twenty world endurance titles and nine Le Mans 24 Hours victories,” said John Elkann, Ferrari President.
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Click on this link to read this article in French version.
