Studio 397 is exciting racing enthusiasts worldwide by offering an exclusive first glimpse of the Ferrari 499P Hypercar prototype in the upcoming game Le Mans Ultimate.
With the game’s release two months away, this preview marks a significant moment in virtual racing.
Ferrari Returns to 24 Hours of Le Mans with 499P
The Ferrari 499P, making its debut in the 2023 World Endurance Championship, heralds Ferrari’s much-anticipated return to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans after a fifty-year hiatus.
The inclusion of the 499P in Le Mans Ultimate will allow players to experience this iconic race with Ferrari’s latest engineering marvel, making it the first time the vehicle is featured in a racing game.
First Look at the 499P: A Virtual Racing Revolution
Le Mans Ultimate has gone to great lengths to recreate the Ferrari 499P with high fidelity, utilizing manufacturer CAD data and collaborating closely with Ferrari’s own Esports drivers, WEC drivers, and engineers.
This partnership has ensured that every detail of the 499P is meticulously crafted, offering players an unparalleled virtual racing experience.
The game promises a complete lineup of the 2023 WEC Hypercars, GTEs, and LMP2s, with the 499P as a standout addition.
Although no gameplay footage has been revealed yet, Studio 397 is set to showcase the 499P’s capabilities in a virtual test session at Monza, promising images and videos that will give fans a closer look at what to expect.
The Ferrari 499P’s Competitive Edge
The 499P has not only made a splash in the virtual world but also proven its mettle in the real-world racing circuit.
Its debut at the 2023 FIA WEC saw the vehicle clinching third place at the 1000 Miles of Sebring. The No.51 499P, driven by the formidable trio of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, went on to secure victory at the Centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking a significant milestone for Ferrari.
Dom Duhan, Head of Studio 397, expressed immense satisfaction with the collaboration with Ferrari, emphasizing the technical partnership that enabled the team to authentically replicate the 499P’s intricate details.
This partnership signifies a milestone in sim racing, bringing the Le Mans-winning car to the virtual racing domain.
Anticipating Le Mans Ultimate’s Release
Racing fans can look forward to taking the wheel of the Le Mans-winning Ferrari 499P and other hypercars from the 2023 WEC season when Le Mans Ultimate launches on February 20, 2024.
Despite a brief delay from its initial December 2023 release date due to layoffs at Motorsport Games, anticipation continues to build for this PC-exclusive title.
Studio 397 is also contemplating a console release, contingent on the game’s success, potentially broadening its reach to a wider audience of racing enthusiasts.
As the release date approaches, the racing community is buzzing with excitement at the prospect of immersing themselves in the world of high-speed endurance racing, featuring some of the most advanced and prestigious vehicles, including the Ferrari 499P, symbolizing a new era in virtual motorsports.
