Ferrari Unveils 499P Le Mans Hypercar Upgrades Ahead of WEC Interlagos Round
Ferrari has revealed its first performance updates for the 499P Le Mans Hypercar, set to debut at this weekend’s Interlagos round of the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Scuderia has implemented a redesign of the brake cooling ducts, aimed at enhancing cooling efficiency, and made minor aerodynamic modifications as part of the first package of upgrades since the car’s debut last season.
Addressing Brake Cooling Challenges
Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Endurance Race Cars, explained that Ferrari doesn’t anticipate the updates will result in improved lap times for the 499P, which secured a thrilling victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours last month. Instead, the changes will provide “greater versatility and easier adaptation of the car on circuits where braking performance is more demanding and decisive.”
Cannizzo detailed the challenges the team faced with brake cooling, saying, “Despite the car’s excellent performance in the 2023 season, we experienced limitations with brake cooling. Therefore, we defined and developed a new cooling duct design in the wind tunnel and on the track to change the flow distribution and deliver greater efficiency.”
Maintaining the 499P’s Performance Window
The modification impacted the balance of the 499P, which the team restored to the desired value by adjusting other areas of the car, including the underbody, ‘gurney flaps’, and introducing a ‘flick’ under the front headlights. The upgrade has allowed Ferrari to maintain the 499P’s position within the ‘performance window’ specified by the FIA WEC technical regulations.
Looking Ahead to the WEC Interlagos Round
Although Ferrari has not tested at Interlagos prior to the track’s return to the WEC calendar since 2014, the team has regained the engine power it lost ahead of Le Mans with a 1.7% reduction in maximum power above 250km/h (155mph) in the Balance of Performance.
The 6 Hours of Sao Paulo meeting will begin with first practice at 10.45am local time on Friday, marking the next chapter in the FIA WEC 2023 season. With the 499P’s upgrades and regained power, Ferrari is poised to make a strong push for the championship title as the season unfolds.
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