Ferrari’s Latest Le Mans Hypercar Looks Lithe And Sinister

• The 499P will race in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2023. 

• It’s built to comply with hybrid-engined Le Mans Hypercar class (LMH). 

• Powered by a mid-rear mounted, structural V6 engine paired with a front-mounted e-motor. 

• Gets a 900-volt battery, powerful regenerative braking and sophisticated racing suspension. 

Ferrari has taken the wraps off the new 499P hypercar that’s built for endurance racing in the hybrid-engined Le Mans Hypercar class (LMH). The racecar has been showcased at the Imola racetrack in Italy, and will race in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2023 onwards. 

Ferrari 499P Racecar is built for racing 

Nomenclature: In the Ferrari 499P racecar’s name, the ‘499’ refers to the displacement of each cylinder. ‘P’ stands for ‘prototype’. 

The Ferrari 499P prototype is built on a carbon fibre monocoque and features a sleek, aerodynamic design courtesy of Flavio Manzoni from the Ferrari Styling Centre. It has a smooth, ground-hugging front fascia with two sharp LED DRLs and a large splitter at the bottom. 

The hypercar’s single-seater cockpit has wings at the top, and the tail-end features a pair of massive racing wings, with a full-width rear LED light bar placed on the lower wing. In compliance with the regulations 

Powertrain and suspension

The rule set for the LMH category allows for up to 680PS from the ICE powertrain, and that’s how much power the Ferrari 499P’s engine is tuned for. It’s mounted at the rear wheels and paired with a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

The made-for-racing engine acts as a structural component of the carbon fibre monocoque of the car. While the ICE engine powers the rear wheels, a 272PS e-motor is placed at the front axle, connected with a 900-volt battery that’s charged by a high-performance regenerative braking system. 

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We’ll see the Ferrari 499P hypercar in action at the upcoming 1,000 Miles of Sebring race, where it’ll wear a yellow-on-red livery inspired by 1970 prototype racers such as the 312P. One of the cars will have the number ‘50’ to commemorate 50 years of Ferrari's prototype racing legacy.