Tech analysis: Inside Ferrari's updated 499P for the 2027 WEC season
‘A taste of the future’. That was the caption Ferrari used for the first images of the updated 499P. But rather than offering just a glimpse, the photographs revealed a wealth of details that were immediately visible to the naked eye. The revised LMH took to the track at the end of July for two days of testing at Monza, ahead of its debut in the World Endurance Championship in 2027. The ... Keep…
Ferrari unveiled its updated 499P prototype for the 2027 World Endurance Championship season, emphasizing the car's potential to become a versatile hybrid prototype. The LMH debuted at the end of July for two days of testing at Monza, with Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina driving the #50 car, while Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi piloted the #51 version. The updated LMH was driven in a black, white, and grey camouflage livery, similar to that used during the program's launch in 2022.
The primary visible changes observed in the updated 499P prototype included modifications to the front aerodynamics, such as the addition of two side 'flicks' beneath the headlights. The splitter was raised and had sharper edges, with the inclusion of two side strips alongside those beneath the headlights. The headlights' size was reduced due to the addition of a central strip of LEDs, above the nose, replacing the two small lights introduced in early 2024.
Furthermore, new lighting systems were added on either side of the nose, while the airflow management system that cools the front brakes was also adjusted.
The team's technical chief, Ferdinando Cannizzo, stated that the updates were designed to improve the overall performance of the hybrid prototype, rather than focusing on a single area. Cannizzo emphasized the importance of integrating multiple upgrades to create a comprehensive, structured package. The first major evo joker was deployed mid-2024 to redesign the rear brake cooling duct and modify the front aerodynamics.
The remaining upgrades were completed over the winter, resulting in significant improvements to the 499P's performance.
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