Robert Kubica has tempered expectations regarding the performance of the Ferrari 499P after the 24 Hours of Le Mans test day held last Sunday, expressing concerns about the car’s “raceability” due to its relatively low power output above 250 km/h compared to other Hypercars.
The experienced Polish driver, who previously competed in Formula 1, set the fastest time during the morning session of the test day and followed with the third-fastest lap in the afternoon. Despite his strong performance, Kubica finished 0.656 seconds behind the fastest benchmark set by Toyota’s Brendon Hartley.
Ferrari’s top contender at the test was the factory No. 51 car, driven by James Calado, who clocked the second-best time in the afternoon session, trailing the No. 8 Toyota by 0.531 seconds.
Historically, the Ferrari 499P has been noted for its straight-line speed, contributing to victories in the last two editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours. However, this year’s Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments have introduced a broader spread of Power Gain values across all Hypercars.
While Ferrari improved power output under 250 km/h compared to last year, the 499P now registers the lowest power figure above this threshold, producing 500.1 kW, roughly 20 kW less than the most powerful Hypercar, the BMW M Hybrid V8.
Kubica acknowledged the intentions of the rule-makers to equalize top speeds but admitted that Ferrari’s relative lack of power over 250 km/h could present difficulties during race conditions. He pointed out that pure top speed numbers don’t tell the full story, as the way the car reaches that speed significantly affects performance.
He explained that although some cars have higher drag, they can reach their top speed quicker, where raw power is essential, but efficiency also plays a crucial role. Kubica noted that Ferrari is the weakest in power above 250 km/h, which may not favor them in racing, although the ACO aims to maintain competitive parity.
Robert Kubica also highlighted the importance of finding the right balance between power and efficiency to optimize the car’s performance, emphasizing that equality among competitors will never be exact.
Regarding his pace during the test day, the Polish racing driver expressed satisfaction with the behavior of the No. 83 Ferrari but mentioned that the cool and overcast weather conditions during testing might not reflect what will be experienced during race week.
The AF Corse driver suggested that while the car felt good under those conditions, translating that into race performance remains uncertain. Robert Kubica noted that rising temperatures could significantly impact the car, particularly with rear tire degradation, based on last year’s experience.
Nevertheless, he stated that Ferrari has improved the car and gained a better understanding of its behavior, making it an interesting challenge to see how the 499P will perform under warmer conditions.
When asked about the competition heading into the official practice sessions, Robert Kubica predicted that LMDh manufacturers such as BMW, Cadillac, Alpine, and Porsche would pose a greater challenge than last year’s more straightforward duel between Ferrari and Toyota. He observed that the competition appears tighter this season, with at least five or six manufacturers likely to be very competitive, especially in shorter stints.
Robert Kubica explained that performance will vary over the 24-hour race depending on conditions and race phases. He noted that the LMDh cars have made significant progress since last year, with BMW notably improving its consistency over a full race distance.
The AF Corse driver also expects Cadillac to be competitive, citing their strong showing in Qatar, along with Alpine, which he considers to have high potential, and of course, Porsche, rounding out a strong field of at least six manufacturers likely to contend for podium finishes.
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