Tag Archives: WEC

Hybrid, News

2023 Ferrari LMH 499P

At the beginning of the year, the head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT Antonello Coletta announced that after half a century, Ferrari is returning to the WEC (World Endurance Championship). Their new race car, the 2023 Ferrari LMH 499P, has undergone many tests and is now finally unveiled to the public.

Earlier it was said that the experienced AF Corse team will be in charge of the LMH prototype of the manufacturer from Maranello. “We are proud of this announcement. It is the crowning of a dream and recognition of the great effort made over the years. Our partnership with Ferrari is a winning one that began in 2006, and I am delighted to continue it in the LMH project We have immediately kicked off with great enthusiasm aiming to raise the bar even further and to be ready for this new challenge,” said AF Corse team owner Amato Ferrari.

The Ferrari 499P is powered by a twinturbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 680 hp (500 kW), which in combination with an electric motor with 272 hp (200 kW), produces a total of 952 hp (700 kW). The engine is paired with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. It is equipped with a 900-volt battery from Formula 1, which is charged by deceleration and braking.

The design of the car is reminiscent of the Deyton SP3, and it is decorated with a red color with yellow details, like the 312PB model from the seventies of the last century. The two cars will have the numbers 50 and 51, which pays tribute to Ferrari’s return to the WEC, but also to the number 51 worn by Ferrari racing cars throughout history.

Ferrari hopes that LMH will have the same success as the F430 GT2, which won all three titles in its debut season (team, drivers and constructors).

Source: Ferrari

News

2023 BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh

After Ferrari and Lamborghini recently unveiled their LMDh prototypes, BMW has finally presented its M Hybrid V8 LMDh prototype, which will compete in the IMSA championship next season, and will return to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024.

The BMW LMDh is considered the successor to the winner of the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, the prototype V12 LMR. It is based on the Dallara chassis, and under the hood is a 4.0L twin turbo V8 engine with 640 hp (471 kW) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque, assisted by hybrid technology. The car will be tested at Petit LeMans, and its first official race will be at the Daytona 24 Hours in January 2023.

The car is covered with foil in blue and purple colors that imitate the natural colors of electricity. There is also a matte black foil that covers the extension under the windshield on the driver’s side, while the other dark surfaces will be made of carbon fibers. The front of the car is adorned with a grille that uses a new technological solution that generates light using a nano-active optical fiber powered by a laser. Between the kidneys there is an inverted ‘Y’ configuration, while on both sides there are twin headlights.

Source: BMW

News

2023 Ferrari LMH is getting ready for the new WEC season

After half a century, Ferrari returns to the top class of the WEC (World Endurance Championship). The most famous race of this competition is the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 2023 Ferrari LMH prototype is currently in the final testing phase.

The news about the new Ferrari LMH prototype was confirmed at the beginning of the year by the head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT, Antonello Coletta, saying that this is a big step forward for Ferrari, which will compete in the LMH class from 2023. Testing is taking place at the Fiorano track , and published photos of the camouflaged car don’t show much.

An experienced AF Corse team will be in charge of Ferrari’s LMH prototypes. “We are proud of this announcement. It is the crowning of a dream and recognition of the great effort made over the years. Our partnership with Ferrari is a winning one that began in 2006, and I am delighted to continue it in the LMH project. We have immediately kicked off with great enthusiasm aiming to raise the bar even further and to be ready for this new challenge,” said AF Corse team owner Amato Ferrari.

When it comes to the powertrain, it is known that the car will be a hybrid. Ferrari did not release more information. Thus, Ferrari will join Toyota and Peugeot, which have announced their participation in the top class of the WEC. Ferrari hopes that LMH will have the same success as the F430 GT2, which won all three titles in its debut season (team, drivers and constructors).

Source: Ferrari