Wec 2023 – who will pilot the new Ferrari 499P in the Hypercar

Ferrari will be up against Toyota, Peugeot, Porsche and Cadillac in the WEC’s top class next season. Alpine, BMW and Lamborghini also have projects brewing for 2024, but Audi shelved its planned Le Mans return to focus on its F1 entry instead.

Ex-F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi among the six drivers chosen to race Ferrari’s 499P Hypercar in 2023

The six drivers entrusted to take Ferrari back to the top tier of endurance racing for the first time in half a century at the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this year. Time to suit up.

From left to right they are Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen and Antonio Fuoco, who’ll team up to pilot the #50 car for the entire 2023 World Endurance Championship campaign, followed by Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi in the #51 entry.

Giovinazzi brings three years of F1 experience with him to the team, having made his debut at Le Mans in the GTE Pro class back in 2018. Driving for Ferrari, of course.

“The 499P’s debut will be a defining moment in the history of the Prancing Horse, and it will be a big honour for me to be part of this extraordinary moment,” said the Italian. “We know we have a great responsibility to meet with much humility, but we are aware of our strength and ready for this huge challenge”.

He can say that again. A Ferrari hasn’t won Le Mans for 58 years, with the 250 LM’s victory in 1965 the last before the Ford GT40 waded in and knocked Old Man Enzo and his beloved Ferrari off its perch. Putting them back on top won’t be easy.

Not least because of the competition: reigning champions Toyota, Glickenhaus, Peugeot, Porsche and Cadillac will all be gunning for glory at Circuit de La Sarthe, with more joining the fight in 2024.

“Since the 499P’s first shakedown in July, we have worked non-stop involving the drivers of the Ferrari family,” explained Antonello Coletta, head of Ferrari GT Sporting Activities. “The decision regarding our chosen drivers relates not only to the races we will contest, but also to the growth that will continue during the championship.

“We are very clear about what we can ask of them concerning development and consistency, not just speed”.

The 499P will make its debut at Sebring in March.

Wec 2023 Ferrari 499P Hypercar Wec 2023 Ferrari 499P Hypercar

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