Yifei Ye at the wheel of a Ferrari 499P in 2024

The simple fact that Antonello Coletta, Ferrari Attività Sportive GT, confided during the WEC final in Bahrain that a third 499P could be entered next season has animated discussions in the paddock. An additional Ferrari wich is due to be confirmed next Monday, when the entry list is published by the FIA/ACO. So who will take the wheel?

Robert Kubica, who has just been inducted as AF Corse's driver for next season, will undoubtedly be on board. The Pole tested the 499P a few days ago at Imola. Robert Shwartzman, Ferrari's GT driver and Scuderia reserve driver, who was seen at the wheel of the Italian hypercar during the Rookie Test in Bahrain, is also expected to drive this third privately-entered 499P.

As for the third man, it should be Yifei Ye. The 23-year-old Chinese driver is set to make the switch from Porsche to Ferrari. The Italian firm refused to confirm this information when contacted.

Supported by Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, Yifei joined the ranks of Jota this year in a Porsche 963 shared with Will Stevens and Antonio Felix da Costa. And he was brilliant! As the 2021 European Le Mans Series champion with Team WRT, Yifei Ye has shown an excellent speed record to become one of the fastest Porsche drivers, and the interest shown by other manufacturers is entirely logical.

Unlike Robert Kubica, who will be an AF Corse driver, Yifei Ye is set to join the ranks of the official Ferrari Competizioni GT drivers. And contrary to what has been suggested here and there, his place is in no way due to financial support from Asia, which would allow the entry of this third 499P.