Ferrari's 499P Livery Unveiled: Can Title Defence Survive Rival Upgrades?

Ferrari launched the 2026 livery for its 499P cars on 25 February at the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena. The event marked the start of the team's campaign to defend the Manufacturers' and Drivers' world titles it won in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). 

The Prancing Horse returned to the top class of endurance racing in 2023 with the 499P. The car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. Ferrari secured its ninth overall WEC title in 2025, the first Manufacturers' crown since 1972 with the 312 P. 

The number 51 car, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, took the Drivers' title. The number 50 crew of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen finished third and fourth in Bahrain to seal both crowns. Ferrari won four of the eight rounds in 2025, including a one-two-three in Qatar.

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The 2026 livery uses gloss Rosso Scuderia, the same as the Scuderia Ferrari HP SF-26 Formula 1 car. Giallo Modena accents highlight the cockpit. The yellow diagonal lines form a reversed arrow pointing to the rear wing. FIA laurels appear on the cars to mark the 2025 wins. The same driver line-ups return for a fourth year. 

Ferrari made no major technical changes to the 499P. The hybrid powertrain pairs a mid-rear twin-turbo V6 with a front electric unit. The team used its one allowed Joker update from 2024. Work focused on data analysis and simulator testing over winter. 

Challenges face Ferrari in 2026 WEC. Rivals field updated cars, while Ferrari relies on the current 499P. A new wind tunnel remeasured all Hypercars, shifting the 499P's position in the performance window. The team revised the aerodynamic package, mainly the underbody, to meet drag and downforce rules. New Michelin tyres require setup adjustments and compound testing. Tracks like Sao Paulo and Fuji proved difficult in 2025.

The calendar has eight rounds, starting with Prologue tests on 22-23 March at Lusail, then the Qatar 1812 km on 28 March. Other stops include Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, Le Mans, Sao Paulo, COTA, Fuji and Bahrain. Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti, stated the team will race round by round.