Ferrari and Peugeot begin 2027 WEC Hypercar development

Ferrari and Peugeot turn focus to 2027

Ferrari and Peugeot have begun testing upgraded versions of their Le Mans Hypercars as both manufacturers accelerate preparations for the 2027 World Endurance Championship. The work is already under way despite the 2026 season being only halfway complete, with next year’s campaign scheduled to begin in Qatar on 27 March 2027.

The early development push follows a reshaped 2026 calendar. The Qatar and Bahrain rounds were cancelled in the wake of conflict in the Middle East, leaving Monza to host the season finale. The changes were detailed in the WEC calendar update, adding further significance to Ferrari’s latest running at the Italian circuit.

Ferrari tests major 499P package

Ferrari released an image on Tuesday showing a development version of the 499P running at Monza in camouflage. The covering was used to conceal potential aerodynamic changes as the Italian manufacturer evaluates what could become the biggest update to its V6-powered LMH since its debut in 2023.

Antonio Fuoco, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Miguel Molina all completed track time during the day. Ferrari said the programme was focused on testing and validating “a wide range of technical and aerodynamic solutions”, but provided no further details about the 2027-specification car.

On the eve of this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, Ferrari said it could use all four of its remaining evo jokers to overhaul the 499P. The manufacturer has so far used only one of the five jokers allocated during the car’s initial five-year lifespan, with that update targeting brake cooling at São Paulo in 2024.

Peugeot seeks a breakthrough

Peugeot also announced the start of the “next chapter in the evolution of the 9X8”. Its stated objective is to become a regular front runner in 2027, after the V6-powered Hypercar failed to secure a race win.

The updated 9X8 was shown in bare carbon fibre in an image believed to have been taken at Paul Ricard. Peugeot said it was working on technical evolutions aimed at improving “performance, efficiency and competitiveness”.

Peugeot is understood to have exhausted its initial evo-joker allocation, but is seeking approval to use additional performance-upgrade tokens available to struggling manufacturers. Any such evolution must be approved by the WEC promoters, the FIA and the ACO.

Team principal Emmanuel Esnault said the 9X8 remained a platform in constant evolution, with the goal of positioning it consistently among the top contenders. Heading into September’s Lone Star Le Mans at Austin, Peugeot sat seventh in the manufacturers’ standings, ahead only of newcomer Genesis.