Last February, an extraordinary meeting between two legends took place at Rivolto: the Ferrari 499P and the MB-339 PAN jets of the Italian Air Force. As anticipation builds for the start of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season, which will officially get underway during the weekend of April 19 at Imola, the Maranello-based team and the National Aerobatic Team, known as the “Frecce Tricolori,” came together to celebrate Italian ingenuity, performance, and speed in an event that will remain etched in the memory of all those involved.
An experience “between sky and earth” for Ferrari drivers
The event, held on February 26 at the Rivolto Air Base (home of the 2nd Wing in the Friuli region), brought together the reigning Endurance world champions and the elite of aerial acrobatics. The most striking moment was undoubtedly the dynamic “duet” between ground and sky: the number 51 Ferrari 499P, driven by James Calado, ran along the base runway while the PAN aircraft flew overhead in a series of perfectly synchronized, precision maneuvers.
Coordinating operations from the ground, in an unusual yet crucial role, was Miguel Molina, who worked closely with Italian Air Force personnel to synchronize the movements of the Hypercar with the aerial routines. A flawless synergy was essential when dealing with machines capable of extreme performance, where every second and every meter can make the difference between a perfect show and unnecessary risk.
While Calado and Molina were effectively “commanding” the track, the rest of the Ferrari line-up—Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Antonio Giovinazzi—experienced the thrill of acrobatic flight firsthand. The Ferrari drivers boarded the MB-339 PAN aircraft, taking the second seat for a full training sortie.
Ferrari and Italian aviation: from Gilles Villeneuve to Michael Schumacher
The Rivolto encounter is not an isolated episode, but rather the latest chapter in a long-standing relationship between Ferrari and Italian aviation—a connection that dates back to the very origins of the Prancing Horse emblem, inherited from World War I flying ace Francesco Baracca.
The most famous precedent dates back to November 21, 1981, when the legendary challenge took place at Istrana between the Ferrari 126CK driven by Gilles Villeneuve and an F-104 Starfighter of the Italian Air Force. On that occasion, in front of approximately 100,000 spectators, the Canadian driver managed to beat the jet over a distance of 1,000 meters, thanks to a lightning start and the absence of wings on his car, which reduced aerodynamic drag.
Another memorable challenge occurred on December 11, 2003, at the Grosseto Air Base. This time, it was Michael Schumacher, behind the wheel of the Ferrari F2003-GA, who faced a modern Eurofighter Typhoon piloted by astronaut Maurizio Cheli. Over three different distances—600, 900, and 1,200 meters—the Ferrari prevailed in the shortest sprint, once again demonstrating how, over the first meters, the acceleration of a Formula 1 car can rival the thrust of a jet engine.
Focus on Imola: the 499P ready for its 2026 debut
With the spectacular Rivolto showcase now behind them, Ferrari AF Corse can return its full attention to the track. The Imola weekend will represent the first real test for the 499P in its 2026 configuration, after tensions in the Middle East forced the WEC championship to cancel its planned season opener in Qatar.
At the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the official Prologue will also take place on April 14, serving as the collective test ahead of the new season. Then, from Friday the 17th, with the first free practice session, the race weekend for the 6 Hours of Imola will officially begin, marking the true start of Ferrari’s endurance campaign.
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