Race and classic pictures

Ferrari unveils race livery for 499P Le Mans contender

Ferrari has unveiled the full race livery of its 499P Hypercar, the WEC and Le Mans contender that will take the Italian manufacturer back to its roots next year.

A nine-time winner at Le Mans, Ferrari announced its return to the top class of sportscar racing back in February 2021 and teased its 2023 car ahead of this year's running of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

But Ferrari revealed the machine's number – 499P – and it race livery on Friday, with a red and yellow scheme that takes its inspiration from the Scuderia's 312P prototype cars from the early 70s, and specifically the machines driven by Jacky Ickx and Brian Redman in the 1972 and 1973 World Championship for Makes.

The car's nomenclature follows Ferrari's tradition of referencing the machine's engine capacity – 499 cubic centimetres – while the 'P' simply stands for prototype.

The four-wheel-drive charger has been designed to the specifications of the WEC's hybrid-engine Hypercar class.

The LMH's twin-turbo V6 engine, that relies on the same architecture used by Ferrari's 296 GT3, transmits its power to the rear wheels while the front axle is driven by a 200kW electric motor.

The 499P's homologation is expected to be completed by the end of this year ahead of its race debut in the opening round of next year's WEC, the Sebring 1000 Miles in March.

One of the House of Maranello's Hypercars will be adorned with #50 to mark fifty years since Ferrari left the endurance racing scene as a factory competitor.

Regarding the team's official line-up, Ferrari has stated that it will be "the subject of future communications".

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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