WEC

Ferrari Hypercar | Ferrari fifth and sixth at Sao Paulo

WEC
15 Jul. 2024 • 8:02
by
PR
The Ferrari – AF Corse team’s 499Ps bid farewell to Brazil with fifth and sixth place finishes at the 6 Hours of São Paulo, round five of the 2024 FIA WEC. Alessandro Pier Guidi’s number 51 car was the first official car to cross the finish line, while Antonio Fuoco followed in sister car number 50. AF Corse’s 499P number 83 secured eleventh place overall and second place in the independent team standings.
Photo : Ferrari

After 236 laps, Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi, third at mid-race, were forced to relinquish fourth place in the closing stages and were fifth over the line. Fuoco, Molina, and Nielsen, last month’s winners at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finished just behind their teammates.

 

The fifth round of the World Endurance Championship allowed the official 499Ps to earn valuable championship points at the end of a race that, as anticipated, proved challenging on a new track for the Prancing Horse’s Le Mans Hypercar.

 

During the 6 Hours of São Paulo, held on a dry track without any interventions from the Safety Car, the crews of Ferraris number 51 and 50 maximised the potential of the 499Ps. Nevertheless, they were unable to contend for the top positions.

 

The Brazilian event also proved complex for the 499P number 83, driven by Ferrari official drivers Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman, alongside Robert Kubica. However, the trio at the wheel of the AF Corse Ferrari climbed the podium for independent teams for the third time this season.

  

 

 

Antonio Fuoco : In general, this was a difficult weekend. We have no regrets because we know we gave our all, and considering the performance seen on the track over the six hours, we couldn’t have done better.

 

Miguel Molina : The team did a tremendous job, and we tried every solution, even varying the tyre compounds during the race, to perform at our best. However, we couldn’t compete for the top positions in terms of pace. The positive aspect is that we scored some vital championship points.

 

Nicklas Nielsen : The Brazilian weekend was tricky from the first free practice session. After the extraordinary victory at Le Mans, we were hoping for a better result, but we have no regrets because we know we gave our best as a team. The points we scored with our 499Ps will still be crucial for the championship.

 

Alessandro Pier Guidi : As always, we approached this race aiming for the best possible result. We knew that, compared to some opponents, we would struggle to compete for the top positions, and the race proved it.

 

James Calado : We couldn't contend for the win here in Sao Paulo in terms of pace. The result reflects what we saw throughout the weekend, and although the penalty (Drive Through, Ed) cost us some seconds, it was not decisive for the final result.

 

Antonio Giovinazzi : We did our utmost on this track, trying to realise our potential. Of course there is some regret but now we look ahead to the next round in Austin, a race that will be essential for the championship.

 

Antonello Coletta : At the end of a race like the one we experienced here in Brazil, it’s difficult to find the right words to express the team’s frustration and sense of helplessness. Despite impeccable work in preparing for the event and during the race, it was impossible to achieve a better result on the track. We knew we couldn't compete for victory, and unfortunately, what occurred in the simulations was confirmed by what happened in the race. We hope to have the chance to put up a fair fight in Austin.

 

Ferdinando Cannizzo : Unfortunately, the result of the 6 Hours of Interlagos confirmed what we expected from the pre-race analysis, demonstrating an excellent correlation between the virtual simulations and the track. Although we maximised the performance of the package available, the gap to our rivals was far too big today to aim for the podium. All we can do now is look ahead and hope that we’ll have a chance to be competitive in the coming races.

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