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 bundle for the 2026 World Endurance Championship.
At an occasion organised on the headquarters of its new associate 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 courses. Consequently, the producers have been working over the winter to recalibrate their aerodynamics.
Already in the course of 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 Steadiness of Efficiency.
Ferrari 499P, 2026 element
Picture by: AF Corse
“The brand new homologation primarily entails three features. The change of wind tunnel from Sauber to Windshear, thus from Switzerland to america; 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,” stated Cannizzo, head of endurance automobiles in Maranello.
“This due to this fact meant we needed to overview our automotive’s positioning on the new working level. We did this intentionally with out utilizing any Evo Joker factors – which we wished 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 have to be stated 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 referred to as “flick” in technical jargon, at the moment are shorter and extra contoured, and lack the small help 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 stability,” provides Cannizzo.
Transferring as much as the higher part, the way in which airflow is managed across the wheel arch has modified; in reality, the 2 appendages that have been hooked up 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 related black strips positioned between the tip of the wheel arch and the cockpit have additionally modified form.
Persevering with alongside the strains of the 499P and shifting to the central part, the radiator vents on the edges have been barely revised, however what the Ferrari engineers have highlighted as most vital 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 (related to those who have been hooked up to the entrance wheel arches), successfully creating extra downforce on the rear axle, the place there are additionally different new options.
Wanting 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.
Transferring right down to the decrease part, the aspect 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 fundamental surfaces. This allowed us to get again throughout the anticipated efficiency window,” concluded Cannizzo.
The updates have been examined throughout final week’s session at Imola, and additional invaluable information might 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.
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