Ferrari presents its Hypercar model for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and after 50 years of waiting time, two iconic names in motorsports are already scheduled to meet in 2023: Ferrari and Le Mans.
More than a simple launch, the Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar, presented at Imola on October 29th, arrives to mark the triumphant return of the prancing horse to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The reason behind the chosen number 50, is that it marks the exact years that Ferrari has been away from producing a Prototype car to compete at the highest level of speed at the iconic Circuit de La Sarthe.
Yes, the legendary Ferrari Rosso Corsa will once again parade at high speed on the equally historic French track. The reason for the euphoria of tifosi goes far beyond the beauty of the 499P – with its aggressive lines and paintwork inspired by the 312P, the last Ferrari Prototype to race at Le Mans in 1973.
Everything indicates that the house of Maranello has built a machine capable of writing a new victorious chapter in the history of the Italian brand. With hybrid technology, the Hypercar is equipped with a 3.0 V6 biturbo gasoline engine, combined with an electric 268 hp ERS motor (Energy Recovery System). The electric motor is front-mounted and powered by a 900V battery, a system imported directly from the cars driven by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in F1.
John Elkann, president of Ferrari, commented soberly on the brand’s goals with the model: “when we decided to commit to this project, we embarked on a path of innovation and development, true to our tradition that sees the track as the ideal terrain to push the limits of cutting-edge technology.”
Prior to Le Mans, Ferrari will promote the debut of its Hypercar in the also traditional 1000 Miles of Sebring, in the United States, on March 17 2023.
So far, the drivers who will have the honor of driving the new Ferrari 499P in both races have yet to be announced.
