AF Corse unveiled its privateer Ferrari hypercar to the world on Tuesday, providing a primary have a look at the Italian marque’s up to date aero package deal for the 2026 World Endurance Championship.
At an occasion organised on the headquarters of its new accomplice ESA NanoTech, the Italian staff showcased the #83 Ferrari 499P to be pushed as soon as once more by 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours winners Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson.
As is well-known, the WEC, ACO and IMSA have agreed on a brand new re-homologation of all LMH and LMDh prototypes competing in Hypercar and GTP lessons. Consequently, the producers have been working over the winter to recalibrate their aerodynamics.
Already through the official presentation of the 499P, technical chief Ferdinando Cannizzo had particularly outlined what the Maranello-based had targeted on, additionally on the request of the federation itself, which, with the brand new parameters, goals to acquire much more correct and detailed information to raised outline the Stability of Efficiency.
Ferrari 499P, 2026 element
Photograph by: AF Corse
“The brand new homologation basically includes three elements. The change of wind tunnel from Sauber to Windshear, thus from Switzerland to the USA; a brand new information assortment and evaluation course of, together with new measurement factors within the wind tunnel; and eventually, a repositioning, a redefinition of the efficiency window,” mentioned Cannizzo, head of endurance automobiles in Maranello.
“This due to this fact meant we needed to evaluate our automotive’s positioning on the new working level. We did this intentionally with out utilizing any Evo Joker factors – which we needed to maintain in reserve for the longer term – and thus by making changes to small particulars.”
However what precisely did altering the bodywork – and, with it, the aerodynamics – entail? It should be mentioned that some adjustments aren’t seen to the bare eye as a result of they have an effect on the airflow beneath the automotive, whereas others have barely altered form and dimensions with out drastically altering the unique design.
What instantly stands out ranging from the entrance is the brand new design of the aerodynamic appendages mounted above the splitter at each ends, just under the headlights.
These two flaps, also called “flick” in technical jargon, are actually shorter and extra contoured, and lack the small assist that had been current since their introduction in the summertime of 2024, when the primary (and solely, to date) Evo Joker was launched by the Emilia-based producer.
“Nonetheless specializing in the entrance finish, we labored on the decrease flaps and stream deflectors to attempt to alter the automotive’s steadiness,” provides Cannizzo.
Shifting as much as the higher part, the best way airflow is managed across the wheel arch has modified; in reality, the 2 appendages that have been connected to the black carbon part in entrance of the fender opening have been eliminated (on the Federation’s request), and this space now takes on the of a real aerodynamic floor, as illustrated by Ferrari’s chief engineer.
The 2 comparable black strips positioned between the top of the wheel arch and the cockpit have additionally modified form.
Persevering with alongside the traces of the 499P and shifting to the central part, the radiator vents on the perimeters have been barely revised, however what the Ferrari engineers have highlighted as most necessary is the brand new design of the engine cowl, significantly its rear finish.
This part, located between the diffuser and the beam wing, now has a extra concave form and now not options the 2 lengthy appendages (comparable to those who have been connected to the entrance wheel arches), successfully creating extra downforce on the rear axle, the place there are additionally different new options.
Trying on the ends of the rear wing, with larger-shaped flaps, the helps now have a lot bigger appendages subsequent to the lights put in on the high.
Shifting right down to the decrease part, the facet panels behind the rear wheels have been redesigned with a extra arched form to readjust and optimize the aerodynamic stream.
“These are the minimal but efficient adjustments we have been in a position to make with out altering the automotive’s foremost surfaces. This allowed us to get again inside the anticipated efficiency window,” concluded Cannizzo.
The updates have been examined throughout final week’s session at Imola, and additional worthwhile information will probably be collected as early because the Prologue on 14 April – a preview of the season’s first race weekend, which can even happen on the banks of the Santerno River.
Learn Additionally:
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Workforce
