Ferrari tests camouflage-liveried 499P at COTA, targeting 2027 and chasing WEC title
Ferrari ran a camouflage-liveried 499P at the Circuit of the Americas on 8 and 9 September, testing technical and aerodynamic solutions that could be introduced from next season.
- 5.513 km
- 114
- 26 points
- 3
What Happened
The Circuit of the Americas hosted testing for the Ferrari 499Ps on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September 2026. A 499P in camouflage livery, prepared ahead of the 2027 season, took to the Texas circuit in the days that followed the fifth FIA WEC race, in which Ferrari claimed its first victory of the season with the number 50 crew. The sessions enabled the team to continue its scheduled development work, building on the programme that began at Monza on 28 and 30 July. After leaving America, the Maranello manufacturer returns to FIA WEC action in Japan over the weekend of 27 September for the 6 Hours of Fuji.
James Calado, Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen and Yifei Ye took turns at the wheel of the camouflaged car to test technical and aerodynamic solutions which could be introduced from next season. At the same time, on the 5.513-kilometre US circuit not far from Austin, the same four drivers took part in the test driving their respective 499Ps from the 2026 racing season. Ferrari lies third in the Manufacturers' standings with three rounds remaining, 26 points behind the leaders.
The 499P development programme began at Monza.
Ferrari tested a camouflage-liveried 499P at the Circuit of the Americas, days after the fifth FIA WEC race.
Ferrari returns to FIA WEC action at the 6 Hours of Fuji in Japan.
- James Calado
- Antonio Fuoco
- Nicklas Nielsen
- Yifei Ye
- Manufacturers: Ferrari third with 114 points, 26 behind the leaders
- Drivers' championship: Pier Guidi-Calado-Giovinazzi fifth, 17 points behind the leader
- Drivers' championship: Fuoco-Molina-Nielsen seventh, 21 points behind
- Drivers' championship: Ye-Hanson-Kubica 13th, 44 points behind
114
Third place with three rounds remaining, 26 points behind the leaders.
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
Earlier in September, MotorClaw reported that Ferrari's 499P Hypercar team was back at the Circuit of the Americas for the Lone Star Le Mans after a nearly two-month break in the WEC calendar, with its drivers aiming to build on their COTA record. MotorClaw also reported that Ferrari extended its technical partnership with Niterra, making Niterra an official partner of its Hypercar squad.
- Ferrari 499P drivers aim to build on COTA record at Lone Star Le Mans
- Ferrari extends Niterra technical partnership, adds NTK oxygen sensors and Hypercar backing
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
The COTA running is development work for the 499P Ferrari will race in 2027, so it offers an early sign of what the Hypercar team is preparing for next season. It also sets up the final three rounds of the 2026 FIA WEC season, where Ferrari sits third among manufacturers and its three driver crews are chasing the leaders.
Terms in This Story
- FIA WEC
- The FIA World Endurance Championship, the global sports car racing series in which Ferrari's 499P competes.
- Hypercar
- The top class of prototype racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
- Livery
- The paint and graphic scheme applied to a race car.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.