The Ferrari 499P LMH offered within the prestigious setting of the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena is getting ready to sort out the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship with a lot of small modifications.
Looking forward to the approaching yr, the FIA, ACO and IMSA agreed that every one automobiles constructed to LMH and LMDh rules would bear a brand new homologation course of within the modern WindShear wind tunnel in Harmony, North Carolina, with a view to collect extra information that can assist refine the Stability of Efficiency framework.
Already on the finish of final season – which concluded triumphantly with the drivers’ and producers’ titles – the Maranello-based producer had specified that it will not spend extra evo jokers on updating its automotive. As an alternative, it continued engaged on analysing and creating the information gathered throughout the occasions contested all year long.
Alongside this, nonetheless, Ferrari additionally carried out meticulous aerodynamic refinement work. Nothing that may essentially alter the unique idea, reasonably changes geared toward making certain the automotive complied with the required homologation whereas remaining inside the efficiency window outlined by the Hypercar technical rules.
As soon as the brand new livery was unveiled for the automobiles to be pushed by the Miguel Molina/Antonio Fuoco/Nicklas Nielsen and James Calado/Antonio Giovinazzi/Alessandro Pier Guidi crews, Ferrari’s Head of Endurance Race Vehicles Ferdinando Cannizzo took to the stage to elucidate intimately the place the reigning champion “Rossa” had been modified.
“The brand new re-homologation basically entails three features. The change of wind tunnel from Sauber to WindShear, due to this fact from Switzerland to the USA. A brand new information acquisition and evaluation course of, together with new measurement factors within the wind tunnel. And eventually a repositioning, a redefinition of the efficiency window,” defined Cannizzo.
“This meant that we needed to overview the positioning of our automotive relative to the brand new working level. We intentionally did this with out spending any evo jokers, which we desire to maintain in reserve for the longer term, focusing as an alternative on small particulars.
Ferrari 499P
Picture by: Ferrari
“Ranging from the entrance finish, we revised the design of the aerodynamic appendages above the splitter and adjusted the way in which we handle airflow across the high part of the wheel arch. Primarily, we eliminated – additionally on the federation’s request – some appendages and changed them with correct aerodynamic surfaces.
“Nonetheless on the entrance, we labored on the ground fences and the stream diverters to attempt to alter the automotive’s stability.
“On the rear, there’s a small change in regards to the radiator retailers on the sidepods. Extra importantly, we redesigned the engine cowl and the trailing edge profile, with rather more vital appendages on the rear wing and the related endplates.
“The facet fences behind the rear wheels have additionally been redesigned with a view to readjust and optimise the aerodynamic stream. These are minimal however efficient areas of intervention allowed to us with out touching the principle surfaces of the automotive. On this manner we had been in a position to reposition ourselves inside the required efficiency window.”
At that time, it was inevitable to ask Cannizzo for his view on the on-track competitors, on condition that a number of rivals – BMW, Cadillac, Toyota and Alpine – will line up with closely up to date variations of their respective automobiles.
“Generally, everybody has improved,” he stated. “Given the work they’ve accomplished, they definitely took the chance to optimise their packages, in some circumstances already fairly sturdy ones. I didn’t see something that notably impressed me, however we studied fastidiously what has been accomplished and in some circumstances discovered fascinating concepts, whereas in others confirmations.
“That stated, we count on 2026 to function extraordinarily fierce competitors and a really excessive stage of competitiveness. Meaning we should carry out properly in each space, not solely with the automotive but in addition with every thing round it, together with all of the crew’s operations. That will likely be elementary.”
As beforehand revealed, Ferrari selected to not spend extra evo jokers on updating the 499P. Nonetheless, with rivals turning into more and more aggressive and the out there improve choices steadily narrowing, the second when extra substantial adjustments will likely be required is drawing nearer.
“In 2024, we spent the primary evo joker, whereas protecting many of the authentic automotive,” Cannizzo stated. “That was linked to the truth that already from our debut at Sebring in 2023 we realised we had a very good package deal. The pole place we achieved was clear proof of a well-born automotive, a outcome that we thought of a strong start line.
Presentazione Ferrari 499P
Foto di: Ferrari
“We then centered intensely on figuring out areas for enchancment and weaknesses. The three seasons now we have skilled display the trail now we have taken: a deeper and deeper understanding of the package deal with a view to exploit the automotive’s full potential throughout all circuits.
“Final yr most likely went notably properly as a result of we approached the primary 4 races – Qatar, Imola, Spa and Le Mans – with 4 totally different set-up configurations to adapt to the particular traits of these circuits, demonstrating a deep understanding of our undertaking.
“To return to the unique matter, we imagine there are nonetheless small margins for enchancment this yr. Clearly, in a championship with a homologated automotive the place nothing may be modified, these margins turn out to be more and more small, so the second when extra vital adjustments will likely be required will arrive quickly.”
Cannizzo additionally spoke concerning the new technical rules that intention to carry the LMH and LMDh platforms nearer collectively and ultimately discover a widespread resolution able to satisfying all stakeholders.
“Relating to the following era of rules, our involvement is clearly complete,” he stated. “We’re absolutely engaged. To date now we have solely had preliminary discussions which have recognized the macro-objectives, however I might say this yr is essential in defining a correct draft of the rules.
“This may type the idea for the way forward for the Hypercar class and prototypes from 2030 onwards. It’s due to this fact essential work, on which Ferrari is committing itself with the very best precedence and a spotlight to.”
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