Ferrari 499P drivers aim to build on COTA record at Lone Star Le Mans
After a nearly two-month break in the WEC calendar, Ferrari's 499P Hypercar team is back at Circuit of the Americas for the Lone Star Le Mans.
- 5th of 2026
- 50, 51, 83
- almost two months
- 2
What Happened
Ferrari's factory endurance team heads to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) near Austin, Texas, for the Lone Star Le Mans, the fifth round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship. The event is almost two months after the previous WEC round in São Paulo, Brazil. Ferrari – AF Corse will field two factory 499P cars, numbers 50 and 51, alongside the AF Corse number 83 crew. Drivers and team executives shared their expectations before the race.
- Second place for the 499P
- Pole for #51; historic victory for #83
- Pole and second place for #50; fifth for #51 from second on the grid
- Antonio Fuoco (#50): Says the car has proved well suited to Austin, so the team is confident; very high Texas temperatures make tyre management key.
- Miguel Molina (#50): The 499P has shown it can challenge at this circuit; the goal is to maintain that level in the second half, which after Japan includes a first Barcelona race with the 499P and then Monza.
- Nicklas Nielsen (#50): Calls COTA one of the best driver tracks on the calendar and, after third and second place finishes in recent years, aims for a top-step finish.
- Alessandro Pier Guidi (#51): Strong past Austin performances, and points in the fifth round are important to stay in contention in both championship standings.
- James Calado (#51): The 499P has been competitive in Texas in qualifying and the race, and the team can draw on experience from extreme heat to the 2025 heavy rain.
- Antonio Giovinazzi (#51): Recalls pole position in 2024 before retirement and fifth place in 2025, and wants a standout race with a large points haul.
“We return to the track almost two months after Interlagos, where we achieved an excellent second place at a circuit that is generally very challenging for the 499P. That result shows the team is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to remain in contention in both the World Manufacturers' and World Drivers' Championship standings.”
“COTA is a very demanding, all-round circuit that tests every aspect of the car's performance. It requires aerodynamic efficiency, stability through changes of direction, good traction and meticulous tyre management. Indeed, the weather conditions are expected to be particularly harsh.”
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
Ferrari enters this race with three WEC victories and 16 podiums at Circuit of the Americas, and the track is hosting its third straight WEC round.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
Ferrari's endurance program is still in contention for both the World Drivers' and World Manufacturers' championship standings, so the fifth-round points haul at Circuit of the Americas could shape the season. The 499P has a strong recent record at the track, including a victory in 2024, but heat and tyre wear are expected to be major challenges. Three Ferrari Hypercars are entered, giving fans several possible winners.
Terms in This Story
- WEC
- FIA World Endurance Championship, the global sports-prototype racing series.
- 499P
- Ferrari's endurance racing prototype that competes in the WEC Hypercar class.
- COTA
- Circuit of the Americas, the racing track in Austin, Texas.
- Pole position
- The first spot on the starting grid, awarded to the fastest qualifier.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.