Ferrari has confirmed they will implement their first evolution joker update regarding the brake cooling ducts on their two-time Le Mans 24 Hours-winning 499P LMH at this week’s 6 Hours of Sao Paulo.
As the fifth round on the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship schedule, the return to Interlagos in 10 years will mark the first race in which Ferrari will utilise their first update.
It is said that up to five ‘jokers’ [upgrades] can be implemented by each Hypercar manufacturer as the cars’ powertrain and chassis components are homologated for at least five years, although that was recently extended to the end of 2029 granting an additional two jokers.
According to their press release, Ferrari said: “The modifications include a redesign of the brake cooling ducts to alter the flow distribution and ensure better cooling efficiency, particularly on tracks that place more stress on the braking system.
“In its new configuration, the 499P’s distinctive aerodynamic feature is the introduction of a flick under the front headlamps.”
The Ferrari 499P has only won two races, being last year’s Centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans which marked their first top class appearance at the French classic in 50 years, followed most recently by their second victory taken by the #50 crew of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen.
As one of four Hypercar manufacturers utilising the lesser restrictive Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) formula, Ferrari has asserted competitive pace with their 499P despite not gaining any victories outside of Le Mans in their second WEC season.
Peugeot notably made drastic changes to their 9X8 with a heavily revised aerodynamic profile which included the addition of a rear wing, although it is unknown as to how many jokers they have used to achieve this.
As reigning drivers’ and manufacturers’ champions, Toyota GAZOO Racing are regarded as the benchmark having fielded and utilised jokers on their GR010 Hybrid after the first Hypercar season in 2021 when the only other LMH was the Glickenhaus SC007 LMH, with Alpine using a ‘grandfathered’ ex-Rebellion Racing R13 LMP1 car.
Ferrari field three Hypercars: The #50, #51 and their primarily yellow privateer-entered #83 499P.
The Maranello make are situated second in the manufacturers’ standings on 99 points, behind Porsche who are on 108, and narrowly ahead of Toyota’s 96 points.
After winning Le Mans and gaining the useful double points [50] in doing so, Ferrari AF Corse’s #50 trio are the highest places in the drivers’ standings on 90 points.
Most crucially, the Le Mans pole-sitting #6 Porsche Penske 963 and their crew of Andre Lotterer, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor lead on 99 points ahead of the race taking place this Sunday 14 July.
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