This compact object houses cutting-edge technology, the fruit of the technical and sporting experience of years of endurance racing.
A racing car’s steering wheel is a concentration of solutions and is the primary interface between the 499P driver and their Hypercar. This instrument allows you to manage the power of the hybrid powertrain, communicate with the garage, and adjust the drive settings, adapting them to changing asphalt conditions.
The touch controls, the central screen, and the levers that fashion this high-tech electronic gem with over 500 components are the product of the Maranello engineers’ creativity and intuition, plus the invaluable feedback from the Prancing Horse’s official drivers.
“From the first sketch to the prototypes used in testing all the way to the inaugural race of the FIA WEC 2023, the steering wheel has evolved to adapt to the demands of performance and functionality,” explains Benedicte Prioul, GT & Sports Race Cars Electronics and Controls Manager.
Development. A team of around 10 people worked for over a year and a half to create the final version of the 499P steering wheel. “The starting point was the 296 GT3, which we had conceived from scratch. We evolved that steering wheel to create a new interface for the Hypercar,” explains Prioul. The main difference? It is clear in the dash integrated into the steering wheel compared to the GT car”.
Technicians and drivers. The engineers designed the steering wheel in 3D, defining its layout, ergonomics, the association of button functions, dials and knobs, and thus determining the electronic interface. Then the drivers entered the fray. “Their support was essential. Only drivers can turn what we imagined into a tool to achieve top performance.” The decision of how to display the information on the central screen by organising it on different pages played a key role. “The drivers must be able to monitor the most important data and communications at all times,” continues Prioul: “day and night, at top speeds, when cornering and when the cockpit is exposed to considerable vibrations”.
Electronic brain. The Ferrari 499P transfers a maximum output of 680 horsepower to the ground – limited by the regulation –, achieved by combining the V6 combustion engine and the electric unit on the front axle. On the track, the drivers need to take full advantage of these figures by plotting the best trajectories, adjusting various parameters, and communicating with the engineers following the race from the garage. “The most frequently used function is known as ‘Radio’, with its corresponding button in the top left-hand corner, allowing the driver to communicate continually with the Race Engineer,” explains Benedicte Prioul. “When the temperature in the passenger compartment climbs above 30°C inside in summer, the ‘Drink’ button on the right side of the crown is invaluable, allowing the drivers to switch on the pump that delivers water to the helmet.”
Some of the most familiar steering wheel buttons to racing enthusiasts on the 499P are those associated with re-entering and restarting from the pit lane (“Pit” limits the speed to 60 km/h, “Fuel Reset” resets the mileage data after refuelling) or Full Course Yellows. The driver limits the Hypercar’s speed by pressing the “FCY” button, protected by a crown, to prevent unintentional triggering.