Behind the scenes with the most beautiful car in racing: The Ferrari 499P

As the World Endurance Championship celebrates its 100th race, the spotlight is firmly on the revolutionary Hypercars, leaving behind the era of LMP1 hybrids. These cutting-edge, closed-top racing machines boast intricate hybrid systems that rival those in Formula 1, all while featuring stunning designs that could easily outshine even the iconic Batmobile. Designed for long-distance racing, these Hypercars demonstrated their prowess during the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the victorious car covered an impressive 3,276 miles (5,273 km). For perspective, a typical Formula 1 race spans just 190 miles (305 km), often concluding in a little over an hour. Ferrari has established itself as a dominant force in endurance racing, clinching victory at Le Mans for three consecutive years, marking a remarkable return to this prestigious arena after a 50-year hiatus. This season, Ferrari not only leads the manufacturer's championship but also dominates the driver's championship with its #51 factory car. The closest competitor for the driver's title is another Ferrari, the #83, fielded by the AF Corsa team as a private entry. Recently, I had the opportunity to join the team at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, eager to witness the magic of the Ferrari 499P firsthand and uncover the secrets behind its success. Antonello Coletta, who heads Ferrari's endurance racing program, reflected on the challenges faced in returning to the pinnacle of motorsport, stating, "It has been an amazing challenge for us because after 50 years, it was not simple to restart." Eighteen months after the project was approved, the 499P made its debut at Sebring in early 2023, tackling the notoriously challenging WWII bomber base in Florida. To everyone's astonishment, it won its very first Le Mans. "I think we created a surprise in motorsport at the time, because Toyota had dominated the championship for years. We arrived like rookies and won our first Le Mans. Now, we've won the first four races, including Le Mans in 2025, which reflects our team's maturity," Coletta stated, emphasizing the significance of the team's development and the skill of their drivers.