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Thread: 2018 WEC,IMSA and ELMS thread.

  1. #91
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    Quote Originally Posted by fratelliferrari View Post
    Hi fellow AF Corse fans, not to make anyone of you jealous but I will be @Spa this Saturday to support the #51 and #71 boys!
    Hoping for a good result! Forza AF Corse!
    Lucky you, hope you can get in the AF Corse pits and help them win! Buon viaggio.

  2. #92
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    WEC 6H Spa May 5 2018

    FP1 results.


    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcRdffpW0AEtB9A.jpg

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  4. #94
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    This happened today during quali. Reports are coming out that he has 2 broken legs with the right having multilple fractures.

    Let's hope for a speedy recovery

    Video is in English.

    Pietro Fittipaldi sofre grave acidente na classificação do WEC em Spa-Francorchamps

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnkuHfNlvmI

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  6. #96
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    Final Spa 6hr

    LMP1: @Toyota_Hybrid #8
    LMP2: @GDrive_Racing
    GTE Pro: @FordPerformance #66
    GTE Am: @AMR_Official #98


    full results

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TW0AAFb7E.jpg

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TWAAEQp6y.jpg

  7. #97
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    Quote Originally Posted by jgonzalesm6 View Post
    Final Spa 6hr

    LMP1: @Toyota_Hybrid #8
    LMP2: @GDrive_Racing
    GTE Pro: @FordPerformance #66
    GTE Am: @AMR_Official #98


    full results

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TW0AAFb7E.jpg

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TWAAEQp6y.jpg
    Disappointing result overall for the 488GTEs in Pro and Am classes, but both managed a podium, so maybe we should be pleased! Damn those Fords, Porsches and Astons!

  8. #98
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    ONE-TWO VICTORY AT SPA FOR TOYOTA GAZOO RACING

    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing started the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with a one-two victory in the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

    Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima won the race for the second successive year in the #8 TS050 HYBRID they share with newcomer Fernando Alonso, who enjoyed victory at Spa for the first time since an International Formula 3000 triumph 18 years ago.

    The #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López completed a remarkable comeback by finishing second, just 1.444secs behind, despite starting one lap behind from the pit lane due to a qualifying penalty.

    That result was TOYOTA’s 17th win from 49 WEC races, its fourth consecutive victory and its third at Spa. TOYOTA therefore leads both the teams’ and drivers’ World Championships going into the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16-17 June.

    The race began under blue skies and Sébastien made a clean getaway from pole position in the #8, gradually extending his advantage over the chasing Rebellions while Mike took the #7 car to sixth by the time of the first pit stops. By then Sébastien had extended his lead to over 30 seconds but that evaporated shortly after the hour mark due to a safety car.

    During the 30-minute delay, Kamui replaced Mike in the #7 while Fernando took over the #8 for his first WEC race laps. His first task when the race resumed was to defend the lead from Rebellion #1, which he did via a spectacular passing move on several GT cars on the Kemmel Straight.

    Fernando’s stint was interrupted by a full course yellow but when the track was green he took advantage and built a substantial lead before handing over to Kazuki just before half distance. The #8 made an immediate return to pit lane to adjust Kazuki’s seat belts and lost more time soon after with a harmless spin at turn one.

    Meanwhile, the #7 was continuing its impressive progress through the field and started the second half of the race in second position, around a minute behind the leading #8 when José María took over from Kamui at the next pit stop.

    The two TS050 HYBRIDs tightened their grip on the race as the last hour approached, with Fernando preparing to take the #8 to the chequered flag with a lead of around one minute over the #7, with Mike at the wheel. But another safety car closed the gap to just six seconds with 50 minutes remaining.

    Fernando and Mike stayed at the wheel through a final fuel stop with 25 minutes to go, after which the team chose to hold positions and avoid any unnecessary risks after over 1,100km of flat-out racing.

    Hisatake Murata, Team President: “I am very pleased with our performance this week; to get a one-two after the problem yesterday required a big team effort. I am proud of everyone for their good work. The atmosphere here has been fantastic all weekend so I would like to thank the many fans who visited Spa, including a lot of colleagues from our home in Cologne. I hope they enjoyed the first race of the season. It’s a great result to start the season but this is only a small step towards our big target; the Le Mans 24 Hours. We have identified areas to improve, and I’m sure our rivals have too, so we will be working flat-out in the next weeks to be ready for a close fight at Le Mans.”

    TS050 HYBRID #7
    Race: 2nd, 163 laps, 8 pit stops. Started from pit lane. Fastest lap: 1min 57.442secs

    Mike Conway (TS050 HYBRID #7): “It was weird starting from the pit lane but we knew what we had to do. We had some help from the safety car periods and the full course yellows, which went our way and helped us to get into the fight with the other LMP1 ones. Kamui and José did a great job again today. It’s disappointing not to win but a one-two is the perfect result for the team.”

    Kamui Kobayashi (TS050 HYBRID #7): “Our car worked really hard to get back into the fight; I think we all drove really well to recover from the problem in qualifying. The car was quick today which is a good sign for Le Mans. Obviously I was hoping to win this race so second place isn’t the result I wanted but for the team it’s a positive start and we will all work hard now to be ready for Le Mans.”

    José María López (TS050 HYBRID #7): “I am very happy with this result for the team. Starting from the back was very hard and didn’t give us the best opportunity bit in the end we fought back and we showed the potential of car #7. I enjoyed the fight today. Finally to be back racing, particularly at this amazing circuit, was something special.”

    TS050 HYBRID #8
    Race: 1st, 163 laps, 9 pit stops. Grid: 1st. Fastest lap: 1min 57.805secs

    Sébastien Buemi (TS050 HYBRID #8): “We are all happy to begin the season like that. It is the first time for Kazuki and I to race together with Fernando so it was important to start it well. I don’t remember the last time we had so many safety cars in a six-hour race and that meant we lost our advantage a few times. But it all went well in the end so a big thanks to all the team for their hard work. This was just a warm up for Le Mans so we still keep in mind that the next race is the important one.”

    Kazuki Nakajima (TS050 HYBRID #8): “I am very happy to win the first race of the season. It’s particularly nice because my stint started badly; a lot happened and it cost us some time. There was a mistake from my side as well but from then I got back into the rhythm. The triple stint was tricky but I am happy with the job we did. It’s a great start and we will be working hard to make sure we continue like this.”

    Fernando Alonso (TS050 HYBRID #8): “I am delighted to get this result. The whole weekend has been amazing in terms of team performance. There have been a lot of preparations with the winter testing and all the work back at the factory but we have to come to the race and deliver the result. We executed the race in the best way we could and I am extremely happy to win my first endurance race. Sébastien and Kazuki made my life a little bit easier so thanks to them.”
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    RIGON AND BIRD THIRD AT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
    ferrari-media

    Francorchamps, 5 May 2018 – As expected the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the first round of the Super Season of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), was a difficult and frustrating race for the Ferrari, which had to chase their rivals right from qualifying. In the race, the Maranello brand crews had to focus almost exclusively on holding what they had, unable to attack because of the of the BOP configuration set for the 488 GTE in 2018. In the end, the difficulties of Porsche no. 91 allowed Bird and Rigon to snatch a well-deserved podium. It was a day to forget for car no. 51, involved in a pitlane accident. It was also an uphill struggle for the cars in the GTE-Am class. Here too, some satisfaction could be drawn from the podium secured by the 488 GTE of Clearwater Racing.

    GTE-Pro. In GTE-Pro class, Alessandro Pier Guidi in car no. 51 and Davide Rigon in no. 71 managed to keep their starting position, holding off the other cars in the straight despite the low top speed set by the BoP. Pier Guidi closed in on Antonio Felix Da Costa’s BMW but had to wait for his tyres to degrade to pass him after about 40 minutes. The race was then neutralised following the accident at Eau Rouge involving Ford no. 67. At the restart its sister car, the no. 66, and the two Porsches took advantage, while Pier Guidi managed to keep fourth place. However, Rigon was impeded by a lapped car and ended up being overtaken by Felix Da Costa and one of the Aston Martins. The Ferraris once again managed, at the end of the stint, to overtake the rivals. Toward the end of third stint, at the third hour of the race, the Ferrari cars were able to catch and pass Porsche no. 92 driven by Kevin Estre and Michael Christiensen. However, with new tyres, the Porsche quickly regained third place. Estre was also penalised with a stop&go for spinning the wheels at the pitstop but once again the German car fought back easily to overtake the Ferrari after four hours and 10 minutes of racing. Shortly after, an accident in the pit lane with the car of Team Project 1 irreversibly compromised the race for Pier Guidi and Calado who lost several laps for repairs and could only finish ninth. At the end of the race there was another neutralisation that brought car no. 71 back into the fight for the podium, with Davide Rigon overtaking the Porsche 91 of Bruni-Lietz, which was clearly suffering a tyre crisis. Davide sealed his podium by the skin of his teeth with a great pass on the final benda t the penultimate lap. The Ford of Pla-Johnson-Mücke won the race. The overall victory went to the Toyota of Alonso-Nakajima-Buemi.

    GTE-Am. The GTE-Am class saw the Ferrari cars stage a great comeback. Having started right at the back of the pack, all the 488 GTEs managed to gain ground. Matt Griffin, Weng Sun Mok and Keita Sawa stood out for Clearwater Racing as they fought back to third behind the Aston Martins driven by Dalla Lana-Lamy-Lauda and Yoluc-Alers-Hankey-Eastwood. The rookies of MR Racing secured a good fifth place, with Motoaki Ishikawa, Eddie Cheever III and Olivier Beretta. The Spirit of Race team also did well but paid a high price with a stop&go for speeding in the pitlane. Thomas Flohr, Giancarlo Fisichella and Francesco Castellacci finished eighth. The next round is the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16 and 17 June.
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  11. #101
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  12. #102
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    Thanks Rob, but can you please explain why the BOP always seems to affect our teams so badly, it's as if we are being penalised before we even start!

  13. #103
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    #52 AF Corse testing at Monza.
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  14. #104
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    24H LE MANSGiovinazzi: F1 to GTE-Pro “A Big Jump”

    Antonio Giovinazzi drawing on teammates’ experience for Le Mans, GT racing debut…


    Ferrari Formula 1 reserve Antonio Giovinazzi says that the transition from single-seater to GT machinery for the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been “a big jump”.

    The Italian is preparing for his debut at the French enduro, co-driving the No. 52 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo with Toni Vilander and Pipo Derani.

    Giovinazzi is one of seven drivers with F1 race experience contesting Le Mans for the first time this month, along with Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Felipe Nasr, Paul Di Resta, Juan Pablo Montoya and Pastor Maldonado.

    “I did not have many laps with the car, but I really enjoyed my first time here at Le Mans,” Giovinazzi told Sportscar365 at last weekend’s Test Day.

    “It is different from F1 – a lot of traffic and not a lot of grip because the track was still really dirty, and it was really hot inside the car. But they were good first laps. I’m looking forward to the race.

    “The speed is less but it’s still a big challenge. From F1 to GT is a big jump and I need to adapt to this car, but I want to get a good result for Le Mans. It’s a different car, but it’s a racing car, so I still enjoy it.”

    Giovinazzi, who set the car’s fastest lap at the Test Day, has been preparing thoroughly for his debut, which he has identified as one of the highlights of his career so far.

    The 24-year-old’s only previous sports car outings have come behind the wheel of LMP2 machinery, in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Asian Le Mans, and European Le Mans Series, but he has yet to compete in a 24-hour event.

    His preparations have been aided by the presence of factory stalwart Vilander, who is gearing up for his tenth Le Mans appearance.

    “I did a few runs in the simulator at Ferrari and I’ve also been watching some onboards from previous years,” said Giovinazzi.

    “Now, it’s all about my preparation. I will check back my data this week and see where I can improve for the race.

    “It’s a big challenge for me, but I will work with Toni and will see if he has some tricks to make my life easier. I try to take a lot of feedback on data from him, and also Pipo as well – it’s his fourth time here.

    “We have an experienced team – it’s just me coming in for the first time – but with these two teammates I think I can do a really good job. With them, I will be able to learn as much as I can, and be really fast.

    F1 Remains the Target

    Giovinazzi says he is still aiming to race in F1 full-time, despite missing out on a seat for the 2018 season, but has not ruled out further GT activities with Ferrari in the future.

    The 2016 GP2 (now Formula 2) runner-up was in line for a permanent role at Sauber, having filled in at the team for two grands prix last year, but lost out to fellow Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc.

    However, his continued association with the Scuderia means he is still committed to the single-seater trail and has not established any immediate plans to turn his Le Mans drive into a long-term sports car arrangement.

    “My focus is still on F1, trying to go there,” Giovinazzi confirmed.

    “But in the future, you never know. You see that many of the drivers who finish in F1 go here [WEC] or to IndyCar.

    “It’s one category that I can watch in the future. But I’m still young, so, for now, I am concentrating on F1.

    “I saw a lot of Le Mans on TV when I was a child, with my dad, and to be with Ferrari and AF Corse is really great for me. I just want to focus on this race, and then in the future, we will see.”
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  16. #106
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    It just seems wrong to see Bruni in a Porsche.

  17. #107
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    So, how are Ferrari looking in GTE-Pro after qualifying? Do they stand a chance in the race given the BoP situation?

  18. #108
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    Quote Originally Posted by 458 Italia View Post
    It just seems wrong to see Bruni in a Porsche.
    I'm sure Rob would agree with you on that one, as do I, and I really hope that Antonio Giovinazzi can have a good race for AF Corse, along with the usual guys, but there is very stiff competition form the Porsche RSRs, Ford GTs and Astons, hopefully we'll have the staying power as we're not the quickest.

  19. #109
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    Been watching large chunks of the Blancpain Spa 24 hours. BoP really seems to hurt Ferrari alot.

  20. #110
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    Quote Originally Posted by 458 Italia View Post
    Been watching large chunks of the Blancpain Spa 24 hours. BoP really seems to hurt Ferrari alot.
    Nothing new there, I still don't see why it affects the 488 teams more than anyone else. Rob probably has the answer, for some reason I just don't get it!

  21. #111
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    was speaking with good friend Francesco Castellacci, he has got me 2 passes for WEC Silverstone couple weeks
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  22. #112
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob View Post
    was speaking with good friend Francesco Castellacci, he has got me 2 passes for WEC Silverstone couple weeks
    You lucky boy, Rob, make the most of it!

  23. #113
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    Quote Originally Posted by wisepie View Post
    You lucky boy, Rob, make the most of it!


    sure will enjoy. Cannt wait. On the Friday Gemma, Keira and Jacob will be coming. Keiras second year.

    Also, got message from James, once we there, message him and meet up for coffee.
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  24. #114
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob View Post


    sure will enjoy. Cannt wait. On the Friday Gemma, Keira and Jacob will be coming. Keiras second year.

    Also, got message from James, once we there, message him and meet up for coffee.
    Nice to have friends in high places, Rob, have a great weekend all of you and Forza AF Corse....buon divertimento!

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    amazing day yesterday. Will post pictures maybe Sunday when home from race or Monday.
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  26. #116
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    Enjoy your weekend Rob! I'm glad you've got the sun at Silverstone.

  27. #117
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    Quote Originally Posted by 458 Italia View Post
    Enjoy your weekend Rob! I'm glad you've got the sun at Silverstone.
    not there today, family wedding this evening.

    Anyway, when spoke to Sebastien, James, Francesco, and Davide Marchi (Ferrari PR man) all fed up with the BoP state at the moment, how its hurt us and especially Aston but favoured Ford and Porsche so badly its hurting the GTE and the state of the whole WEC GTE category. Meeting Francesco and James for coffee in the morning.
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  28. #118
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob View Post
    not there today, family wedding this evening.

    Anyway, when spoke to Sebastien, James, Francesco, and Davide Marchi (Ferrari PR man) all fed up with the BoP state at the moment, how its hurt us and especially Aston but favoured Ford and Porsche so badly its hurting the GTE and the state of the whole WEC GTE category. Meeting Francesco and James for coffee in the morning.
    My sister got married last weekend, look what she arrived in




  29. #119
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    Ferrari running well, but 71 has had terrible luck and has now just ripped the whole of the right rear apart after a puncture.

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    GET IN!!! 51 WINS!!

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