The Ferrari 499P is about to change its skin. In Maranello, work is underway to introduce a massive update package on the world champion Hypercar. The Prancing Horse intends to play multiple cards at once, preferring to develop the car in an organic 360° manner rather than introducing several unrelated novelties. FormulaPassion has delved into the topic together with engineer Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Endurance and Race Cars, who illustrated the goals for the 499P EVO.
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The update program
Ferrari arrived at the start of the new season without updates, distinguishing itself from the competition in this regard. Cannizzo explains the reasons behind this choice: “At first, we think there is still a little to scrape off the 499P in its current version. Then, we liked gathering and putting all the jokers together to play them all at once, so as to make a development that integrates the changes well with each other. As I have often said, the integration between the various systems is one, if not the main strength of the 499P. We continue to focus on this as a distinctive feature of the new 499P. We plan to debut several jokers together, well integrated with each other.”
Given the many qualities of the 499P, the fear is that updates could upset the balance of the project. Also for this reason, Maranello is working comprehensively on the new car and not on a single area: “It takes courage to change a car that is so performing. However, we cannot stand still. We know this is a rule of motorsport, so we must also be confident in what we are doing and be aware that everything we do is to improve.” Overall, the 499P being born in Maranello increasingly resembles an EVO version: “We can call it that. It will certainly be more than just a few tweaks.”
Development goals
The technical department is paying particular attention to the new Michelin tires, whose debut this year prompted a delay in intervening on the 499P: “This is one of the variables that pushed us to remain cautious. Our deep knowledge of our car gives us the ability to understand well the differences between the new and old tires, so as to then make good use of the tire knowledge during the development phase of the evolutionary version and also integrate the tires into the overall picture.”
In parallel, Ferrari has already produced the EVO version of the 296 GT3, with particular attention paid to performance in dirty air during close pursuits. The evolution of the 499P could inherit the same philosophy. “It goes without saying that it has already been done”, confirms Cannizzo. “An important thing for us is to look carefully at all usage conditions. In a championship like ours, where cars are homologated, you have to look for performance in all these small details. We have learned this well over the years and continue to do so.”
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Towards Le Mans
Meanwhile, Ferrari continues to race with the current 499P, called to defend three consecutive wins at Le Mans. Cannizzo reflects on the upcoming French marathon: “It will be a race where, if in past years we had one or at most two main competitors, this time everyone will be fighting for the win. It certainly won’t be easy for us. On the other hand, I think it won’t be easy for anyone.”
“We have to prepare as we always have, with maximum concentration, valuing our strengths. We know we have a car that knows how to do its job, especially at Le Mans. We must not despair now, because the competition is fierce and showed to be very strong at Spa. However, the same race in Belgium tells us that if we interpret it as we know how to, we can have great races,” concludes Cannizzo.
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