The new technical regulations of the World Endurance Championship should ring in a golden era of sports car racing in 2021. Ferrari's commitment underlines this development in an impressive way. In February 2021, the Scuderia made the decision to enter the newly created hypercar class at the factory. After numerous titles and victories in the GTE class, it was time for the Italian sports car manufacturer to be able to fight for overall victories again in the world championship. The clear goal was to win the 24-hour race in Le Mans. Ferrari was able to put this plan into action at the first attempt. At the big comeback in Le Mans, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi triumphed in their newly developed Ferrari 499P.
The season had already started promisingly for the Italians. The two vehicles, which were used by the long-standing partner team AF Corse, showed what they were capable of right at the WEC opener in Sebring. Antonio Fuoco secured the team's first pole position in its race debut. In the race, the trio Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen achieved a strong third place. As the season progressed, the two cars achieved five more podium finishes.
The greatest success was to come at the highlight of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the first overall victory for Ferrari since 1965, the crew of the Ferrari 499P with starting number 51 entered the history books. The Italians made their first statement in qualifying. As time expired, the front row of the grid was firmly in Ferrari's hands. In the race, the 499P with starting number 50 lost five laps during the night, after which all hopes rested on the remaining sister car. And they didn't disappoint: After the 24-hour marathon, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado crossed the finish line with a lead of 1:21.793 minutes. “We used the car for the first time in July last year and standing here now is fantastic,” said former Formula 1 driver Giovinazzi, emotionally moved after the race.
In scale 1:18, ck-modelcars, in collaboration with Bburago, is now offering two detailed replicas of the two Ferrari 499Ps just in time for Easter. In classic Ferrari red and with opening doors, the two models are a real eye-catcher in every showcase.
Ferrari 499P #51 Winner 24h LeMans 2023 Pier Guidi, Calado, Giovinazzi, RRP €124.50, item-no.: 18-16301 #51
Ferrari 499P #50 5th 24h LeMans 2023 Fuoco, Molina, Nielsen 1:18, RRP €124.50, item-no.: 18-16301 (18-016650) #50
Products
Ferrari 499P #51 Winner 24h LeMans 2023 Pier Guidi, Calado, Giovinazzi 1:18 Bburago | 79,95 € | |
Ferrari 499P #50 5th 24h LeMans 2023 Fuoco, Molina, Nielsen 1:18 Bburago | 79,95 € |