Ferrari’s 499P finished 10th in Fuji’s World Endurance Championship event, witnessing its third straight year of struggle at the Japanese circuit.
Finishing Position and Race Performance
Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado’s #51 finished 10th, collecting only a single point, as the team remained outside the points for most of the 6‑hour race.
Giovinazzi recorded the fastest lap of the 499P, yet his average pace placed the car last among the Hypercar class. The trio’s season‑long points deficit widened following this effort.
Tyre Strategy and Pit‑Lane Chaos
The #51 ran medium tyres for half the race, a choice that failed to match rivals, resulting in a gap that was never closed. During the final pit stop, confusion in the pit lane compounded a 10‑second penalty for multiple contacts, pushing Ferrari further behind the field.
James Calado said the initial tyre selection “might not have been ideal” and added the numerous restarts after Safety Cars erased any advantage they might have held.
Mechanical Problems and On‑Track Failures
The #50, powered by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, held a strong position until a pneumatic jack failure during the fourth hour’s stop caused more than three minutes of time loss.
Later, a low battery and a sudden inability to restart forced the car to retire in the final hour, an issue described by engineer Giuliano Salvi as “separate” yet possibly linked.
Engineer Salvi highlighted that the chance to neutralise penalties was lost via a pit‑lane neutralisation, thwarting any gap‑gaining strategy.
Team Comments on the Season’s Challenges
Salvi admitted the 499P was not “our favourite track” and described the malfunction as “quite disappointing” for such a mature car. He cited a pneumatic leakage as a likely cause, stating that further analysis is required.
He also said the 50 had “been doing well” in difficult conditions, emphasizing that the car’s design could still be refined but not radically altered without a complete overhaul.
Next Steps and Championship Outlook
Ferrari is set to face the 6‑Hours of Barcelona and Monza, with the team declaring that both circuits should better accommodate the 499P’s performance range.
Despite the setbacks, Salvi promised continued effort, noting that they remain ready to “fight” and that experience from previous races such as Austin will inform upcoming strategies.
Forward Trajectory
With the season progressing, the 499P’s next events at Barcelona and Monza will be crucial; Fuori’s successes or failures there will determine whether the squad can regain championship competitiveness after the first round’s disappointments.
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