By Carlo Platella
Ferrari is preparing for the race of the year, the 24 hours of Le Mans. The results achieved in the first part of the year do not reflect the excellent competitiveness expressed on the track by the 499P, which has improved on every front compared to the debut season. This is also why there is an air of optimism in Maranello, both for the upcoming Le Mans event and for the long-term future, when the first updates arrive on the Red. To explain it to FormulaPassion there is Ferdinando CannizzoHead of Ferrari Endurance Race Cars.
All-round growth
“The car is improved in all performance areas such as engine, controls and tire management, so from that point of view we are definitely happy”, begins Cannizzo. The growth of the 499P is a natural consequence of greater understanding of the car, which has led to improvements in mechanical, aerodynamic and software balance and tuning. There is also no shortage of small targeted interventions: “Even though it has the same appearance, the car hides many small measures which are aimed at improving reliability”.
“Reliability is the result of attention to detail”, continues Cannizzo. “So we must continue to keep our attention and care high in preparing the cars, because this will make the difference in the race.” In Maranello, however, some more substantial innovations are already in the works: “We are working on some changes to the car. It won’t be a revolution, we are trying to fix some areas that we have identified as areas for improvement and I think that between the end of this season and the beginning of next season there will be some updates on the car.”
The importance of data
The better exploitation of the 499P is a consequence of the analyzes of the data collected in recent months. The pool of information expanded in 2024, with Ferrari deciding to field a third Hypercar: “It was quite challenging at the beginning, because putting together a third team wasn’t easy anyway and we are still making some adjustments”explains the technical manager. “On the other hand I’m sure the opportunity to have a mass of data and also explore a broader domain it will be able to give us information that perhaps doesn’t seem insignificant today, but which going forward and perhaps even with a view to next season can certainly become a valuable asset.”
The great value attributed to data collection had already emerged during the embryonic stages of the project. In fact, the current championship sees some manufacturers fighting for victory who struggled in their debut season last year, when Ferrari was competitive right from the start: “This is the result of the fact that we made no concessions in the testing phase and we approached it by really giving our all not just with one car, but with two cars”comments Cannizzo. “This gave us the opportunity to test a lot, both from a functional and reliability point of view. Everything that has happened is the fruit of the work that has been done and of all the things we have sown. We now hope to reap the benefits.”
Encouraging signs
Ferdinando Cannizzo then goes on to comment on Ferrari’s recent performances in the World Championship: “We must look with optimism at what we have done on the car. The performances clearly confirm that we have made significant improvements compared to last year. The goal for us was to continue to get to know the car and its potential well. We did it and we are proving it.”
“It’s clear that perhaps we expected much better results, but this shouldn’t divert our attention, especially now on the eve of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We must remain focused and confident that we must learn from the mistakes we have made and that we have a good package on our side. Sooner or later the results will arrive and we just have to be hopeful and wait.”
Choosing a preference between winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the World Championship is a question that tends to divide drivers. Cannizzo, however, has no doubts: “I simply answer that we have to do both, therefore that at Le Mans we must concentrate and bring home the podium and the victory and that we must not give up the championship for lost. We must continue to push, because only by pushing can we bring home results and for us it remains an objective.”
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