WEC + GT World Challenge + IMSA + ELMS

[Aviamata]

Our distance to victory is only a breakfast now !

[458 Italia]

#8 pits for a splash and dash

[Cavallino]

my stream cut out, do i want to know what happened, lol, but it's back on now, still a minute ahead

[458 Italia]

my stream cut out, do i want to know what happened, lol, but it's back on now, still a minute ahead

it was a repeat of what happened a few hours ago where the car wouldn't fire up again!

[Kyss4k]

Every time they show Ferrari my heart skips a beeat

[458 Italia]

Every time they show Ferrari my heart skips a beeat

Same! Whenever the timing shows a yellow flag I stop breathing!

[Aviamata]

2 laps left !!!

[458 Italia]

2 LAPS TO GO!!!

[MasterTifosi]

AF CORSE what a great team. SF F1 guys can learn so much from their experience and execution.

[458 Italia]

AF CORSE what a great team. SF F1 guys can learn so much from their experience and execution.

What a car too!!!

[Ferrari312T4]

Pier Guidi is told to do 3m38s lap times to make sure he doesn't cross the line and need to do an extra lap at the end of the race. Should we take that risk?

[Aviamata]

What a car too!!!

Wish that F1 cars had amazing pace like this car

[458 Italia]

Pier Guidi is told to do 3m38s lap times to make sure he doesn't cross the line and need to do an extra lap at the end of the race. Should we take that risk?

Totally. No need to run more laps than needed.

[458 Italia]

FINAL LAP!

[Ferrari312T4]

Totally. No need to run more laps than needed.

Thanks, im at work now and I can't watch it live...

[458 Italia]

AF CORSE FERRARI 499P #51 WINS LE MANS!!!!!!!!!!!! :cflag:ferrarifl:cflag:ferrarifl:cflag:ferrarifl

EPIC RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO FUGGING HAPPY!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[Kyss4k]

:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl:ferrariflYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

[458 Italia]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY!!!

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WATCHING ALONG WITH ALL OF YOU!!!! :cheers:cheers:cheers:cheers:cheers:cheers

[drax]

YES YES YES !!!

[458 Italia]

:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl:ferrariflYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

GET INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jgonzalesm6]

CONGRATULATIONS to Ferrari AFCorse #51 and the team.

50 years since Ferrari has been to LeMans as a full works HYPERcar.

That 499P is quite the machine defeating the Toyota Gazoo Racing.

[Tifoso Svedese]

Finalemente ancora una vittoria granda dopo molte anni frustrati. Grazie ragazzi :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

JUST AMAZING!!!! :-(:-(:-(

[SFTifoso]

FERRARI WINS LE MANS!!!!!!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl

Where are you ford??????

[Aviamata]

FORZA FERRARI !!!

[458 Italia]

Finalemente ancora una vittoria granda dopo molte anni frustrati. Grazie ragazzi :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl

:goodpoint WHAT YOU SAID!!! :bow

[Ferrari312T4]

:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

[Tifoso Svedese]

:goodpoint WHAT YOU SAID!!! :bow

Finally a great victory again after many years of frustration :wave

[458 Italia]

Finally a great victory again after many years of frustrations :wave

WELL PUT! :champ:cheers:cheers:cheers

[Cavallino]

:champ:champ:champ:champ

[Cavallino]

never thought i would ever see this

[458 Italia]

YES GIO!!!!! YES JAMES!!!! YES PIER!!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

never thought i would ever see this

It's soooo soooo special

[458 Italia]

SCENES! #51 DOING THE LAP OF HONOUR! :bow:bow:bow

[Aviamata]

Elkan should thinking about let AFCorse personnel running the Scuderia :lol

[SFTifoso]

Ford can no longer say they retired Ferrari from Le Mans. Let’s go!!!! Well done boys!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

Justin Taylor what a legend as well!!! :bow:bow:bow:drink:drink:drink

[nuni]

Ferrari left 50 years ago because there was not enough money to race F1 and sport. It was very sad to see the porsche and audi times, I had my hopes during the 333SP era, but since than, I just felt I would never saw ferrari winning the bigest race in the world.

Grazie Ferrari, one of the happiest days of my life.

[SFTifoso]

Enzo is smiling rn :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl :ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

THE ITALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!! :-(:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(

If that doesn't make you cry I don't know what will!

[wisepie]

THE ITALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!! :-(:-(:-(:-(:-(:-(

If that doesn't make you cry I don't know what will!

My thoughts too, so happy for the team and drivers who worked so hard, and for us true tifosi who have followed this team with so much emotion for so long, we all deserve this moment!:thumb:clap

[Riccardog]

Congratulations AF Corse for the deserved victory ��

[Ferrari312T4]

8188

[Nick Singer]

Wow!
:-bounce

[SilverSpeed]

:clap:clap:cflag:cflag:champ:champ:topdance:topdan ce:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:pass:pass:wine:wine

[458 Italia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyXNVP8WYAE6Dmj?format=jpg&name=4096x4096https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyW7omrWYAEcPrP?format=jpg&name=4096x4096https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyW7tcpXsAMpOnC?format=jpg&name=4096x4096https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyW7wdoWYAEeSJI?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[nuni]

They will be in the history books . Nobody can take this from them.

[SFTifoso]

Serious question do you expect personnel from the hyper car team to move to the f1 team next year? It’s crazy how cool and collective they dealt with adversity. Carlos and Charles would’ve been screaming on the radio if the car wouldn’t start after the pit stop. And that is a reflection of the f1 team’s poor leadership and character.

[Tifoso]

Anyone have a recording of the Podium Ceremony (Italian National Anthem)?

[Aviamata]

Anyone have a recording of the Podium Ceremony (Italian National Anthem)?

on the Twitter/Facebook of FIA WEC they have it

[Rob]

Serious question do you expect personnel from the hyper car team to move to the f1 team next year? It’s crazy how cool and collective they dealt with adversity. Carlos and Charles would’ve been screaming on the radio if the car wouldn’t start after the pit stop. And that is a reflection of the f1 team’s poor leadership and character.

Plain and simply, no. The hyoercar team is af corse. 85% of them. The rest are ferrari. And none of them have the desire to do f1. As this is the pinnacle of their sport. Endurance racing.

[wisepie]

Plain and simply, no. The hyoercar team is af corse. 85% of them. The rest are ferrari. And none of them have the desire to do f1. As this is the pinnacle of their sport. Endurance racing.

AF Corse have done a brilliant job over the years with the GTE cars and now this triumph at Le Mans has cemented their professionalism and passion, the win was richly deserved. If only the F1 team could take that attitude to the track, and develop the cars properly instead of bodging 'upgrades', we would soon be winning again. The drivers are fine as they are.

[Tifoso]

on the Twitter/Facebook of FIA WEC they have it

Thanks, fratello!

[Tifoso]

Plain and simply, no. The hyoercar team is af corse. 85% of them. The rest are ferrari. And none of them have the desire to do f1. As this is the pinnacle of their sport. Endurance racing.

Good to see you, mate!

[Tifoso]

Well, I’ll take it. At least it was the Italian anthem. Bit disappointed that it was performed by the French Amateur Kazoo Band, though.

[Tifoso]

8188


You were there? :-E:clap

[Tifoso]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyXNVP8WYAE6Dmj?format=jpg&name=4096x4096https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyW7omrWYAEcPrP?format=jpg&name=4096x4096https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyW7tcpXsAMpOnC?format=jpg&name=4096x4096https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyW7wdoWYAEeSJI?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

Stunning pics!
Grazie fratello! :wine

[The Architect]

Given the repeated calamities in the F1 operation, what happened at Le Mans was a great job by AF Corse. Hopefully they can do the same next year without an edge on BoP.

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZb08cxH9SY

Starting soon!

A Ferrari could win Nürburgring, Le Mans and Spa 24 hours!

[458 Italia]

Really unlucky for the #51 296 GT3 getting a puncture and tumbling done the order. Shwartzman driving now.

[458 Italia]

It wasn't to be three 24 hours for Ferrari last weekend.

But we have this this weekend:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0a3r-cXwAA4QwR?format=jpg&name=large

[458 Italia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0be-76XsAEQdIh?format=jpg&name=large

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/x0tV9yJ.png

FP2

[458 Italia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0g49ZKWYAABxtD?format=jpg&name=large

[458 Italia]

I hope there won't be a penalty incoming for #51 after it went to the pit exit before being allowed to do so! The team had to push the car back to it's box.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/fGHGs3m.png

Bit disappointing we didn't get pole.

[Aviamata]

https://i.imgur.com/fGHGs3m.png

Bit disappointing we didn't get pole.

Hope that the team will bring victory home tomorow

[458 Italia]

Lovely rendition of the Italian national anthem before the start! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvs4imxjavM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Tbhw9q_14

[458 Italia]

Bad start for #51 as it was spun around at the first corner. #50 still running in 2nd.

[458 Italia]

#50 down to 3rd, the Peugeot looks much quicker than us atm.

Toyota #8 gets 10 seconds added to it's first stop for colliding with #51.

Now we have a Safety Car, looked like a big crash for an Aston Martin, hit an LMP2 car.

[458 Italia]

Oh it was the #8 that was involved with the #777 AM

[458 Italia]

#51 pitted under the SC.

[458 Italia]

After the 1st hour:

https://i.imgur.com/LAUCAF8.png

[458 Italia]

#50 takes the lead of the race after the early stoppers come in for their 2nd stops.

[458 Italia]

After 2 hours:

https://i.imgur.com/gfH4Df7.png

Toyota #7 got the overcut on #50

[458 Italia]

Got a second Safety Car.

[458 Italia]

Bad luck for #51 it had to pit when the pit entry was closed so could only get a small amount of fuel.

[458 Italia]

Just under 3 hours left:

https://i.imgur.com/cRVy1Mj.png

[Aviamata]

Double podium is quite good . Hope that we can get that victory at the end

[458 Italia]

Double podium is quite good . Hope that we can get that victory at the end

Looking unlikely atm sadly the Toyota has stretched the lead to 27 seconds and it's going up every lap. #51 got caught short of fuel so had to stop for a splash and it's currently running in 6th. We need some luck to go our way if we're gonna get 2 cars on the podium.

[458 Italia]

2 hours to go:

https://i.imgur.com/vA17PQd.png

[458 Italia]

Could do with a SC to close the gap to the Toyota.

[458 Italia]

Gah! FCY that doesn't help is one bit.

[458 Italia]

SC out now, I hope it closes the gap.

[Aviamata]

That Toyota is so fast !

[458 Italia]

That Toyota is so fast !

Always thus!

They better do the wave around for this SC!

[458 Italia]

Gap is 5 seconds now after the SC.

[458 Italia]

All of a sudden #50 does it's fastest lap the gap is 4.6

[458 Italia]

Now does a 1:36.753 the fastest of anyone.

[458 Italia]

#50 now pits need a great stop here.

[458 Italia]

Gap is back up to 21 seconds now :-s However Toyota didn't change tyres on #7.

We've been running mediums on all corners except the left rear which is hard, but the softer rubber has made little difference for us.

[Aviamata]

Look like a solid P2 P4 for us

[458 Italia]

Look like a solid P2 P4 for us

Gap down to 17 seconds to #7 now. P3 could be possible for #51 depending on how the #93 goes in into the last hour.

[458 Italia]

Into the final hour:

https://i.imgur.com/yNGi3Ka.png

[Aviamata]

We're closing in at a good rate !

[458 Italia]

We're closing in at a good rate !

It's all gonna come down to that final pitstop!

[Aviamata]

It's all gonna come down to that final pitstop!

Yes , this should bring some good feeling today if we can win this race

[458 Italia]

Yes , this should bring some good feeling today if we can win this race

I'm praying! :pray:pray:pray

[458 Italia]

#7 has stopped for what should be it's final stop, fresh tyres on now as well.

[458 Italia]

#50 pits also changes tyres as well!! NO my mistake #51 pitted and changed tyres.

*Still don't think we can get the win here but here's hoping!

[nuni]

Vai Fuoco!!!!

[458 Italia]

8.7 the gap to #7

[Aviamata]

Hope that Fuoco can find some pace

[nuni]

Fuoco is the fastest driver in ferrari team. If anybody can do it is him

[458 Italia]

Fuoco is the fastest driver in ferrari team. If anybody can do it is him

Absolutely! Forza Antonio!

[458 Italia]

I have to say it's been strange not having any commentary for the whole race! Not sure why Eurosport via Discovery+ hasn't had any. It does make all the cars sound better though!

[458 Italia]

Looks like the race is done. #7 setting it's fastest lap of the race and lapping faster than the #50 lead is over 10 seconds now.

[458 Italia]

I do wonder if we had even more weight added after success at Le Mans :Hmm

The 499P is definitely a fast car especially in the heat.

[nuni]

We had. The BOP changed again before Monza.

[458 Italia]

We had. The BOP changed again before Monza.

Ah that explains it then!

[458 Italia]

It's doubly annoying that the car that ruined #51 race the #8 will finished ahead in 4th.

[458 Italia]

2nd for #50 and 5th for #51. It is what it is I guess! Not quite the glorious homecoming we'd hoped for!

[458 Italia]

How it finished:

https://i.imgur.com/ZaqxKSb.png

We definitely came 2nd the timing is messed up!

*Updated.

[Aviamata]

Not good and not bad neither !

[wisepie]

A podium and P5 is better than the P9/10 the F1 team achieved after an embarrassing performance at Silverstone, but the 499P has the speed and the drivers so all is not as disappointing as the GP results.

[458 Italia]

A podium and P5 is better than the P9/10 the F1 team achieved after an embarrassing performance at Silverstone, but the 499P has the speed and the drivers so all is not as disappointing as the GP results.

Agreed! The car is fantastic! I did think the hot weather would play into our hands as we're easier on the tyres, but to learn we were hit by BoP before Monza even after we'd taken a hit before the Le Mans race, we're actually doing incredibly well!

[wisepie]

Agreed! The car is fantastic! I did think the hot weather would play into our hands as we're easier on the tyres, but to learn we were hit by BoP before Monza even after we'd taken a hit before the Le Mans race, we're actually doing incredibly well!
I didn't realise we'd taken a BoP penalty before the Monza race and I thought Toyota had kicked off after Le Mans because they had to take a BoP penalty before that race and that's why Ferrari won! All these different rules for different series are a challenge for this old fossil!

[458 Italia]

I didn't realise we'd taken a BoP penalty before the Monza race and I thought Toyota had kicked off after Le Mans because they had to take a BoP penalty before that race and that's why Ferrari won! All these different rules for different series are a challenge for this old fossil!

We've actually taken 2 in a row now the first after Le Mans quali anf then before Monza.

It's not a perfect system because at times it often goes too much one way, I do find it so much better than the likes of DRS though, Still my understanding of the new LMH/LMdH rules was wrong because I did think as long as your car met certain WEC limits all is good.

[Rob]

Very gpod result considering. Shame 51 on race ruined by the 8 toyota.

The bop adjustments for this race was always planned at the start of the year.

[458 Italia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5kQgwhXYAEARh2?format=jpg&name=largehttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5kQj4SW4AAfTFy?format=jpg&name=large

Ouch... :-??

[Aviamata]

P4 P5 now

[wisepie]

Shame they couldn't manage a Fuji podium at least, but both cars finished in P4/5. Toyota now heading for another championship win but a great effort from AF Corse and the drivers to have a good season with the crowning glory of the Le Mans win. Last round Bahrain 8hrs will decide the drivers' championship.

[Tifoso]

I actually watched some of this one (and a lot of Le Mans).
It's growing on me. :lou

[458 Italia]

Final race of the WEC season is on now.

https://i.imgur.com/mJGAEB1.png

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/SS1sg7z.png

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUS6O_l3LhQ&pp=ygUQZmVycmFyaSBoeXBlcmNhcg%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa69jiS_ZMM&pp=ygUQZmVycmFyaSBoeXBlcmNhcg%3D%3D

[458 Italia]

Bit of a nothing race from Ferrari today. #51 being dropped by the #7 Toyota and being slowly caught by #38 Hertz Jota Porsche.

#50 losing ground on #38 after being overtaken and also being slowly caught by the #6 Porsche

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/w827Y4K.png

Note that #50 is under investigation as well.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/Z23tjSy.png

[458 Italia]

Sigh, now the cars are running P4 and P5.

[458 Italia]

Will soon lose P5 Ferrari are nowhere.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/ZF7QD7n.png

That pass never actually happened surprisingly.

[458 Italia]

Some good news! Jota Porsche #38 gets a drive through penalty, puts us back on the podium.

[458 Italia]

P3 and P5 now, looks like the Jota Porsche will soon get P3 back.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/pCNGrRY.png

How it finished.

[nuni]

Ferrari wins 24h GT3 PRO Daytona with Risi competizioni in a ferrari 296GT3

Calado
Pier Guidi
Serra
Rigo

congratulation boys!!!

Now, to LeMans

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/uuIVbiT.png

6 hours of Spa race today, you can't see #50 in on there because it's dead last of the Hypercars in 19th place as it failed scrutineering.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/vfZaEvt.png

Looking much better now.

[Aviamata]

I think we need a 2024 thread

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/4GUsPEE.png

A much better race for Ferrari than the last two.

[Aviamata]

That crash was HUGE , but these car is smaller than F1 while still proving enough safety for the driver (he look so calm during the crash) . F1 is too big just because of safety reason

[458 Italia]

That crash was HUGE , but these car is smaller than F1 while still proving enough safety for the driver (he look so calm during the crash) . F1 is too big just because of safety reason

Such a massive shunt wasn't it! That was incredibly stupid from Bamber.

I really hope there's no restart now because if there is it's gonna hurt big time.

[Aviamata]

Such a massive shunt wasn't it! That was incredibly stupid from Bamber.

I really hope there's no restart now because if there is it's gonna hurt big time.

We could win this race with half point

[458 Italia]

We could win this race with half point

I'll be more than happy with that! 😀

[458 Italia]

No ignore that!!

They're extending the race by 90 minutes! :-??

Well 1:47:31 will be raced.

[Aviamata]

Oh no the race is extended

[458 Italia]

Gahhhhh!!

[Aviamata]

It's quite unfair since we will have to pit 1 more time and the interval between cars is closed

[458 Italia]

It's quite unfair since we will have to pit 1 more time and the interval between cars is closed

It really sucks! I just don't see enough time left to make up the ground we're badly gonna lose.

[458 Italia]

Balls there goes the win.

[458 Italia]

That's racing. :-(

[Aviamata]

That is FIA ruined our race

[458 Italia]

That is FIA ruined our race

Can't catch a break ��

[458 Italia]

The pit just needs to be open when the safety car is out! It's so bloody unfair to penalise a car twice. :furious

[458 Italia]

Oh great #83 AF Corse is under investigation for two infringements :roll

[Aviamata]

This is a scandal

[458 Italia]

Completely destroyed what had been a fantastic race for Ferrari! Not to mention the recovery from last of the class to the front from #50

[Aviamata]

Ar least we geta GT3 victory

[Aviamata]

Not even a LMGT3 win

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/KcDtKor.png

Results after Le Mans FP1.

I didn't see much of the session, I only caught the last 20 minutes so won't start panicking yet, but I hope we climb up the timings!

[Aviamata]

BOP striking us hard

[458 Italia]

The Hypercar Balance of Performance for the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been released, confirming that the Power Gain system will be in use for the first time for the FIA World Endurance Championship centerpiece.

Tested by cars from multiple manufacturers in the Prologue test ahead of the season opener at Qatar in March, the system is designed to further equalize the field by changing a car’s maximum power above a certain speed threshold.

While the system was slated for introduction at the following round at Imola, the Power Gain, sometimes called ‘two-stage’ BoP, was not used for either race or the following round at Spa last month.

Toyota has voiced its support for the system on multiple occasions, with technical director David Floury stating that the marque was keen for it to be implemented in time for Le Mans despite not being trialled in a prior WEC race.

The relevant bulletin published by the FIA and ACO has confirmed that the system will debut at Le Mans, with the threshold set at 250 km/h (155.3 mph) instead of the 210 km/h (130.5 mph) that was listed on previous bulletins.

Seven of the nine Hypercars will have their power altered above the threshold, with four of those – namely the Alpine A424, BMW M Hybrid V8, Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 Competizione and Toyota GR010 Hybrid – getting power increases of 0.9 percent.

The other three cars, the Ferrari 499P (-1.7 percent), Lamborghini SC63 (-1.6 percent) and Peugeot 9X8 (-0.7 percent), have seen reductions, while the remaining two cars, the Cadillac V-Series.R and the Porsche 963, will not have their power modified.

However, Ferrari and Lamborghini have both had their base power increased compared to the previous WEC race at Spa, with the 499P up 2kW to 508kW, and the SC63 up by 5kW to 519kW, the highest figure in the field.

The Porsche has also been given an extra 4kW, putting it at 511kW.

Apart from the Peugeot, which sees no change to its power, the remaining five cars have all had minor power reductions, with Toyota and Cadillac both getting decreases of 7kW to 508kW and 509kW respectively.

Alpine has dropped by 6kW to 507kW, the Isotta Fraschini is down 5kW to 515kW and the BMW has dropped 2kW to 508kW.

As previously outlined by the organizing bodies, Le Mans will run to a standalone BoP compared to previous WEC races, although there are still significant changes in minimum weight compared to the previous race at Spa.

Peugeot has been given the biggest break with the 9X8 set to run at 1047 kg, 18 kg lighter than before.

It’s a change that follows criticism voiced by the French manufacturer about its revised challenger’s lack of performance since its introduction at Imola.

Also with double-digit weight breaks are the Ferrari, down 10 kg to 1043 kg, the Isotta Fraschini, down 12 kg to 1048 kg, and the Toyota GR010 Hybrid, which drops 11 kg to 1053 kg but is now the heaviest car in the class.

The only car to have lost weight from Spa is the Alpine, which drops 7 kg to 1038 kg.

Cadillac’s V.Series-R remains the lightest car in the class at 1036 kg despite an increase of 6 kg, while the Porsche (+5 kg/1042 kg), Lamborghini (+4 kg/1039 kg) and BMW (+1 kg/1039 kg) have all seen smaller increases.

All five cars that are returning to Le Mans are running at lower minimum weights compared to the same event last season, and with less base power.

and


Ferrari has gained 2kW in power, while the Toyota has lost 7kW.

But Ferrari is one of only three manufacturers to have lost power under the new “power gain” component of the BoP, which will finally be introduced for Le Mans on 15/16 June.

The new feature has been incorporated into the BoP so that the acceleration and straightline speeds of the cars competing in Hypercar can be more closely matched in an effort to further balance the playing field.

Ferrari’s LMH will be have to run maximum power reduced by 1.7% above 250km/h (155mph), equivalent to 8.6kW or 11bhp.

The other cars competing in Hypercar to lose power over 250km/h are the Lamborghini SC63 with a 1.6% reduction and the Peugeot with 0.7%.

All the other cars have a 0.9% power gain, with the exception of the Porsche 963 LMDh, which will run the same 511kW maximum power above and below 250km/h.

Racing with our hands tied behind our backs.

[458 Italia]

Kobayashi bins it in qualifying and brings out the red flag

https://i.imgur.com/wxJzG4G.png

#50 and #51 both make it through to Hyperpole.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/PWFQIyY.png

FP2

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/nQqlXVm.png

FP3

[458 Italia]

Hyperpole starts shortly at the new time of 19:30 BST, 20:30 CET

Ferrari on boards:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_0TIrPoBgA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETIlqzNx0aA


Live Eurosport stream:

http://cdn.xsportbox.com/webplayer2.php?t=alieztv&c=222935&lang=en&eid=211858308&lid=2397912&ci=360&si=7&ask=1718304300&noplayer=0

https://cuervotv.me/sd0embed/F1

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Delayed to 19:35 BST now.

Looking like spots of rain on the start/finish straight.

[458 Italia]

Brilliant first runs from both cars! COME ON BOYS!!!

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Seb Bourdais is so quick in the Cadillac.

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Antonio doing PB in the first sector.

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1:19.097 in sector 2

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NOOO red flag.

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I don't think we'll have the life in the tyres left to go quicker now.

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Antonio messed up his lap :-??

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Pier Guidi needs to find 0.5 seconds

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Not happening.

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Damn 4th and 5th.

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https://i.imgur.com/siEwcoG.png

We lose so much time in sector 3.

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Not much running in FP4 due to cars coming back from scrutineering late, good for the drivers to get some wet running though.

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Antonio Fuoco, 499P #50: “It was a very tough Hyperpole. We did our best as a team to exploit the potential of our 499Ps. It appears that some competitors are overall stronger than us, but we know that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a long race where various factors will play a crucial role, including the experience we drivers and the entire team have gained over the past few months.”

Alessandro Pier Guidi, 499P #51: “We knew we might struggle in Hyperpole in terms of performance compared to some competitors. We weren’t very lucky with the red flag, which affected our tyre preparation as we tried to improve in the final phase. However, I think our goal was to qualify in the first two rows, to lower the risks at the start, and we achieved that. The race? I’m confident and believe we can perform well, particularly as we can draw on the experience gained in 2023. I believe we have what it takes to perform well in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti: “At the end of the Hyperpole, we find ourselves where we expected to be relative to the competition. It's important to note that a strong competitor like Toyota didn't take part in this session. Otherwise, I believe they would have been another challenger for the top positions. Our result isn't surprising, and we’re satisfied with our efforts. Now we look ahead to the race, which will be long and, as is traditional at Le Mans, full of challenges and variables to consider. The reliability of our 499Ps and teamwork will be two essential ingredients for doing well in the most eagerly awaited race of the year.”

Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Endurance Race Cars: “We are very satisfied with the result achieved in Hyperpole. We knew we didn't have much chance to shoot for pole position, but we gave it our all and made very aggressive choices. Alessandro and Antonio (Pier Guidi and Fuoco, ed.) did an excellent job. It was a shame that the red flag affected the result, especially of the 499P number 50, whose strategy was more aggressive in terms of fuel on board: Antonio was preparing for the flying lap when the flag was displayed. Looking ahead to the race, we know it won't be easy, as the pace shown by some opponents is remarkable. So we'll have to do everything perfectly.”

[458 Italia]

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/ferrari-eyes-joker-upgrades-to-le-mans-winning-499p/10625071/#comments-block-anchor


Ferrari eyes joker upgrades to Le Mans-winning 499P
Ferrari has yet to use any of the five evo jokers permitted to make performance upgrades across the lifespan of an LMH or LMDh prototype

Ferrari is eyeing a performance upgrade of its Le Mans 24 Hours-winning 499P that could come on stream before the end of this year’s World Endurance Championship.

Ferdinando Cannizzo, technical director of Ferrari’s sportscar operations, stated before and after it retained its Le Mans crown last weekend that the Italian manufacturer is looking to exploit the evo joker rules that govern car development in the Hypercar class.

He explained that no timeline has been set for what remains an unspecified revision to the Ferrari Le Mans Hypercar and that it might come as late as the start of next season.

“We are thinking about introducing a joker this year or next year,” Cannizzo said between the Le Mans Test Day and the start of running during race week.

“We haven't made any decision yet, but we are further developing this joker because we've identified areas for improvement.”

After the race, Cannizzo conceded that Toyota, with which it battled for the victory last weekend, was the faster car in wet and mixed conditions but that the Ferrari “was more competitive in the dry”.

“We know the areas we would like to improve,” he said.



“We need to be much more competitive in all conditions — this race is a perfect lesson for us.”

Ferrari has so far yet to use one of the five evo jokers performance upgrades allowed to a manufacturer over the lifespan of a LMH or LMDh prototype.

It stated at the end of last year that it was evaluating introducing one for 2024, but confirmed ahead of the season-opener in Qatar in March that it had opted against bringing one on stream.

Cannizzo stated pre-Qatar that it was important that Ferrari first “exploit the potential of the base car”

“Before we apply for any jokers we want to understand the ultimate performance of our car,” he said.

A manufacturer must apply to the WEC rule makers, the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, to be able to take one of the evo jokers available to it.



The take-up of evo jokers is not in the public domain and is not shared by the FIA and the ACO with the manufacturers.

It is not known, for example, how many were used by Toyota for its revisions to the GR010 HYBRID LMH for the 2022 and ’23 seasons or by Peugeot for its reworking of the 9X8 LMH for ’23 and then this year.

I respect the first and third comments at the bottom of the article. :clap

I agree with him on the transparency of BoP and the use of "tokens" too!

[458 Italia]

Ferrari receives WEC engine power gain ahead of Interlagos
The Le Mans 24 Hours winners will have more engine power at its disposal for round five of the World Endurance Championship this weekend

Ferrari has been given back the engine power it lost ahead of its Le Mans 24 Hours victory for the Interlagos World Endurance Championship round this weekend.

The Italian manufacturer’s 499P was hit with a 1.7% reduction in maximum power above 250km/h (155mph) under the new power gain element of the Hypercar class Balance of Performance introduced for last month’s Le Mans WEC round.

In the BoP published for the Sao Paolo 6 Hours, the Ferrari Le Mans Hypercar has a positive figure of 1.8%.

Ferrari refrained from criticising the reduction it received under power gain at Le Mans, but technical director Ferdinando Cannizzo asked the media to “draw its own conclusions” on its effect after the first track action on the pre-event Test Day.

He pointed out that “on a track like Le Mans, we are above 250km/h [155mph] for 45% of the time” and that the power loss would affect the car's raceability.

The Ferrari picked up straight-line speed through race week, but the decision to trim out the 499P resulted in the Toyota GR010 HYBRID LMH being the faster car in wet and damp conditions.

Maximum power allowed from the 499P’s hybrid powertrain below the 250km/h threshold has been reduced for the Brazil WEC race, round five of the championship, from 508kW at Le Mans to 503kW (678 to 674bhp).



The minimum weight of the car has also been increased from the French enduro, from 1043 to 1060kg.

But both the engine power and the weight of Ferrari are largely in line with the figures from the Spa round of the WEC in May like much of the Hypercar field.

This is because Le Mans is considered to have a separate BoP by the WEC rule makers, the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, because of the unique characteristics of the 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe.

Power is down from 506kW at Spa and weight up from 1053kg for the Ferrari in comparison to the Belgian race, which the marque looked on course to win before the race was controversially restarted after the scheduled finish time of the race following a red flag.

Only the Porsche 963, the Peugeot 9X8 2024 and the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 Competitizone LMH have had weight changes into double figures from Spa.

The Porsche LMDh is up 14kg and the Peugeot LMH is minus 14kg, while the Isotta has been given a 30kg weight break.

The Peugeot’s power is up 2kW from Spa and the Porsche’s by 5kW to 512kW, with no plus or minus power gain for either car.

Toyota’s GR010 will run 4kg lighter than at Spa, while power is down 9kW. But the car has been given a plus 2.8% adjustment under power gain.

The Alpine A424 LMDh, one of the fastest cars in the straight-line at Le Mans, had been given a minus 1.3% correction above 250km/h.

Up on power, but up on weight also...

[458 Italia]

Ferrari reveals first updates to Le Mans-winning Hypercar for Interlagos WEC round
Ferrari's 499P Le Mans Hypercar will be equipped with its first-ever updates at the WEC's Brazil race

Ferrari has revealed its first performance updates for its 499P Le Mans Hypercar ahead of this weekend's Interlagos round of the World Endurance Championship.

The Scuderia has embarked on a redesign of the brake cooling ducts, aimed at improving cooling efficiency, and made some minor aerodynamic modifications as part of the first package of upgrades since the car made its debut last season.

Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Endurance Race Cars, explains that Ferrari does not anticipate it will result in improved lap times for the 499P that won the Le Mans 24 Hours last month, but will allow for "greater versatility and easier adaptation of the car on circuits where braking performance is more demanding and decisive".

"Despite the car’s excellent performance in the 2023 season, we experienced limitations with brake cooling," he said.

"Therefore, we defined and developed a new cooling duct design in the wind tunnel and on the track to change the flow distribution and deliver greater efficiency.

"The modification impacted the balance of the 499P, which we restored to the desired value by adjusting other areas of the car.

"Specifically, we modified the underbody, adjusted the heights of some ‘gurney flaps’, and introduced a ‘flick’ under the front headlights.

"The upgrade has allowed us to maintain the 499P's position within the ‘performance window’ specified by the technical regulations."



Manufacturers are permitted to use five evo jokers over the lifespan of a LMH or LMDh prototype, and Cannizzo had remarked at Le Mans prior to the marque's second win at the WEC blue riband with the 449P that it had planned to introduce its first "this year or next year".

Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen and Miguel Molina's victory at Le Mans has lifted them to second in the Hypercar standings, nine points behind Penske Porsche Motorsport drivers Andre Lotterer, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor in the 963 LMDh, while Ferrari is the same margin behind Porsche in the Hypercar manufacturers' classification.


James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Antonio Giovinazzi are 51 points back from the PPM crew in sixth.

Ferrari has not tested at Interlagos prior to the track's first outing as part of the WEC calendar since 2014, but has regained the engine power it lost ahead of Le Mans with a 1.7% reduction in maximum power above 250km/h (155mph) in the Balance of Performance.

The 6 Hours of Sao Paulo meeting will begin with first practice at 10.45am local time on Friday.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/w8JOBuf.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/SAyT3Uw.jpeg

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https://i.imgur.com/dR9vOIb.jpeg

I didn't see any of the session because of work.

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https://i.imgur.com/LUNlIAP.png

FP1 Results

[MasterTifosi]

Are there any links to watch FP2?

[458 Italia]

Are there any links to watch FP2?

Sorry to reply late!

There wasn't any i could find :-s It wasn't even on Discovery+ here.

FP3, Q and HP should be streamable though. Well should be!

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/bhdISp6.png
FP2 Results
https://i.imgur.com/8hjcEIK.jpeg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cycxO8JjuY

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https://i.imgur.com/L0cWx9L.png
FP3 Results
https://i.imgur.com/iy1bxSb.jpeg

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqosh3hpLYY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqWRHh7MZ9I

Can't find a free stream to share for qualifying yet.

[458 Italia]

Ferrari 296 LGMT3 is 1.243 seconds slower than the Lambo in Hyperpole.

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https://i.imgur.com/RPvZJu1.png

The two factory 499Ps make it through to Hyperpole, the #83 doesn't.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/aJfkL31.png

Well that sucked.

[458 Italia]

São Paulo 13 July 2024

Ferrari 499P numbers 50 and 51 will start from sixth and ninth, respectively, at the 6 Hours of São Paulo, round five of the FIA WEC. Car number 50 will be driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, while car number 51 will be piloted by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi. Here are the comments of the Ferrari – AF Corse official drivers at the end of the Hyperpole session:

Antonio Fuoco, 499P #50: “Qualifying and Hyperpole were rather complicated, and we saw very close times between the various competitors. We did our utmost to achieve the best result. Looking ahead to the race, it will undoubtedly be a challenging 6 Hours with several variables to consider, from track traffic to the weather. As always, we’ll start out aiming to do our best and hope to compete for the top positions.”

Alessandro Pier Guidi, 499P #51: “Today, we can’t be satisfied with the result. During the Hyperpole, I couldn’t complete the first flying lap to the best of my ability because another car slowed me down. I thought the second run would go better, although it didn’t turn out that way. It’s a shame because, in different conditions, I might have matched my qualifying time and gained a couple of positions. However, I wouldn’t have been able to challenge for pole position, regardless.”


Doesn't sound like they expect much from this race,

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/BOnBLs4.jpeg

[458 Italia]

Live stream: http://cdn.xsportbox.com/webplayer2.php?t=alieztv&c=224034&lang=en&eid=214988543&lid=2420031&ci=957&si=7&ask=1720969200&noplayer=0

On boards:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wI2Fpq2Gsg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghONNPg0LnE

[458 Italia]

Already 30 seconds off the lead after 10 laps! This is going to be a painful watch. :-s

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15:48:09 Race Control CARS 88 - 82 - 51 - 55 - 31 - 7 - UNDER INVESTIGATION - FCY PROCEDURES

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Bit of train forming behind #12 Porsche 963.

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Gio in #51 is very close to Vanthoor in the #6 Porsche

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One of the LMGT3 Porsches #91, makes contact with one of our cars, no damage I don't think.

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16:15:25 Race Control CARS 83 - 94 - 93 - 63 - 92 - UNDER INVESTIGATION - STARTING PROCEDURES

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I have to say Mick is driving really well in the Alpine.

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Oooooo #51 might've exceeded track limits when overtaking into third.

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https://i.imgur.com/YEvQ6AZ.png

After an hour.

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Don't know what happened to #50 in the pits but it's now running in 11th and few places behind #83 now.

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#51 down to 4th after #5 Porsche overtakes.

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#83 Kubica train has formed.

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Ferrari are nowhere today.

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16:58:15 Race Control CARS 31 - 51 - 55 - 82 - 88 - DRIVE THROUGH PENALTY - FCY INFRINGEMENT

Just great! :roll

#55 is running 3rd in LMGT3 as well.

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17:05:00 Race Control CAR 7 - DRIVE THROUGH PENALTY - FCY INFRINGEMENT

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17:09:57 Race Control CARS 94 - 93 - 63 - 92 - 83 - FINE PENALTY - STARTING PROCEDURES

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Kubica gets hit from behind and spins off.

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https://i.imgur.com/AYCC3Mf.png

After 2 hours.

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Now #50 has an off and as a result has been lapped. This race is going super well.

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17:27:59 Hypercar #83 Driver change (KUBICA, Robert to YE, Yifei)

17:41:13 Hypercar #51 Driver change (GIOVINAZZI, Antonio to CALADO, James)

17:41:35 Hypercar #50 Driver change (NIELSEN, Nicklas to MOLINA, Miguel)

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17:43:23 Race Control CAR 83 YE - 20 FRIJNS - UNDER INVESTIGATION - INCIDENT AT T1 AT 133243

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James in #51 is 20 seconds behind #6 Porsche and catching slowly.

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https://i.imgur.com/uln1jPX.png

Half race distance

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18:24:39 Race Control CAR 83 - DRIVE THROUGH PENALTY - INCIDENT AT T1 AT 133243

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James in #51 is continuing to catch #5 Porsche after the pit stops, now 13 seconds behind.

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The Porsches have swapped positions and now James is 9 seconds behind #6

[458 Italia]

#83 Having a terrible day down in 12th. Now make that 13th.

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FCY. Would rather we had a SC tbh...

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19:30:06 Hypercar #83 Driver change (YE, Yifei to SHWARTZMAN, Robert)

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https://i.imgur.com/4ZbKyMn.png

2 hours to go

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19:37:48 Hypercar #50 Driver change (MOLINA, Miguel to FUOCO, Antonio)

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19:40:20 Hypercar #51 Driver change (CALADO, James to PIER GUIDI, Alessandro)

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19:45:21 Race Control CAR 5 - BLACK AND ORANGE FLAG - REPAIR THE REAR RIGHT CHEESE WEDGE

Helps a little bit in the constructors championship.

[458 Italia]

It's been far too easy for Toyota today.

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https://i.imgur.com/dFzgnYu.png

Final hour

[458 Italia]

I don't know what's gone wrong this weekend, the weight penalty won't have helped but we've lacked raw pace, are the upgrades working? Did we not understand the tyres?

I hope we find out because this has been very disappointing after Le Mans.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/pFy04CJ.png

I'm glad that's over...

[458 Italia]

San Paolo 15 July 2024

The 6 Hours of São Paulo concluded with fifth—and sixth-place finishes for the two 499Ps of Ferrari—AF Corse. Drivers and management commented on this somewhat expected result at the end of the race.

Antonio Fuoco, 499P #50: “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, 499P #50: “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, 499P #50: “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, 499P #51: “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, 499P #51: “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, 499P #51: “We did our utmost on this track, trying to realise our potential. Now we look ahead to the next round in Austin, an essential race for the championship.”

Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti: “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, Head of Endurance Race Cars: “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.”

So they expected a painful weekend. They've got a lot of work to do before COTA.

[458 Italia]

Ferrari rules out IMSA entry with Le Mans Hypercar in 2025
The Italian marque will continue to focus on WEC next year


Ferrari has ruled out an expansion of its 499P Le Mans Hypercar programme into the IMSA SportsCar Championship for next year.

The Italian manufacturer has outlined a plan for 2025 that does not involve the North American series for which the 499P is eligible in the GTP class and instead calls for a continued focus on the World Endurance Championship, again with a three-car assault in Hypercar.

Ferrari head of sportscar racing boss Antonello Coletta told Autosport that the brand “prefers to consolidate our programme” rather than expanding onto a second front in what will be the third season of competition for its two-time Le Mans 24 Hour-winning LMH.

“Next year we will be involved only in WEC and not IMSA - now we concentrate on the WEC with three cars,” he said.

That will mean two factory 499Ps run by AF Corse in the Hypercar class and the new-for-2024 customer or satellite entry, also run by AF, that competes in the FIA Endurance Trophy for hypercar teams rather than manufacturers’ points.

The assault with the yellow-liveried Ferrari, this year raced by Robert Kubica and factory drivers Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman, will continue “unless there are any surprises”, Coletta said.

Coletta has talked openly about a desire for the 499P to one day race in the USA, a key road car market for Ferrari.



Longtime US sportscar entrant Giuseppe Risi, whose eponymous team is currently racing a Ferrari 296 GT3 in the IMSA enduros in GT Daytona Pro, has made no secret of a desire to return to the prototype ranks with the marque he has represented for more than a quarter of a century.

“At the moment we don’t have a plan to go to America, but it is not impossible for the future,” continued Coletta.

“We need to take time for each development of our activity.”

Ferrari was most recently involved in the top class of North American sportscar racing with the 333SP customer car built to IMSA’s World Sports Car regulations.

It competed from 1994 through until 2003, taking one victory in the Daytona 24 Hours and three at the Sebring 12 Hours.

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/ferrari-rules-out-imsa-entry-with-le-mans-hypercar-in-2025/10638573/#comments-block-anchor

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/kEpgvFP.png

Disaster for #51, retired the car in the pits.

BMW are absolutely flying as well.

[racingbradley]

Congratulations to Ferrari 83 AFCorse for winning WEC at COTA.

[458 Italia]

WEC COTA: AF Corse Ferrari sneaks past Toyota for win
Ferrari notches its first victory in a regular WEC race in a thrilling end-of-race battle with Toyota


#83 AF CORSE Ferrari 499P Hypercar of Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman and Yifei Ye
Ferrari took its first victory in a regular World Endurance Championship race with the customer AF Corse-run 499P driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman at Austin.

The Italian manufacturer, a two-time winner at the Le Mans 24 Hours with the 499P Le Mans Hypercar, followed up on Charles Leclerc’s Monza Grand Prix victory after a thrilling finish to Sunday’s Lone Star Le Mans six-hour race on the Circuit of The Americas.

Shwartzman inherited the lead from the #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID LMH with 40 minutes of the race to run when Kamui Kobayashi took a drive-through penalty for a yellow-flag infringement.

The Japanese driver, teamed with Mike Conway and Nyck de Vries, came out of the pits nine seconds behind the Ferrari but quickly made up ground.

Kobayashi was still closing at the end, but ran out of time, ending up just 1.7 seconds behind at the chequered flag.

Toyota appeared to have a win in the bag as the race entered its final stages, having managed to get the undercut on the yellow Ferrari, which had led the majority of the first two-thirds of the race.

Kobayashi took the wheel for the final two hours and pulled away from Shwartzman, building up a lead of 10 seconds only to lose it for a penalty for ignoring yellow flags at Turn 11.



Third place at COTA went to the Le Mans-winning factory Ferrari crew of Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen, and Antonio Fuoco.

They lacked the pace of the customer Ferrari and the sister works 499P of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessasndro Pier Guidi which ended up retiring from the race.

Driveline issues that followed a collision with an LMGT3 runner left it with a damaged wheel rim and then a spin while Giovinazzi was lapping one of the Peugeot 9X8 2024 LMHs conspired against the #51 crew.

Cadillac took fourth — its best result of the season — with the Ganassi-run V-Series.R shared by Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn.

Alpine followed in fifth in the A424 LMDh shared by Ferdinand Habsburg, Paul-Loup Chatin and Charles Milesi. They fought back from an early penalty after Habsburg locked up on the first lap and was penalised for the contact with Bamber at Turn 12 at the end of the long back straight.

The Signatech-run Alpine benefitted from a late penalty for Kevin Estre in the championship-leading Porsche 963 LMDh for a yellow-flag infringement, which left the Penske-run car co-driven by Laurens Vanthoor and Andre Lotterer sixth at the flag.



Vanthoor, Lotterer, and Estre fought through the field from 14th on the grid, with Estre surviving a clash with Sebastien Buemi in the second Toyota in the race's fifth hour.

Buemi, on an outlap, made contact with the Porsche as he moved over on the back straight to protect his position. He continued to move to the left, resulting in a second contact.

The Toyota sustained a rear puncture and bodywork damage, before being given a 30-second stop-go penalty for causing a collision that left the car 15th and last of the classified finishers in Hypercar.

The best of the WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDhs, the #20 car driven by Rene Rast, Robin Frijns and Sheldon van der Linde, was also hit with a late penalty of 100s for an energy infringement. It lost a top-six position as a result, ending up in 13th at the finish.

Aston triumphs in LMGT3


The LMGT3 class was dominated by the American-flagged Heart of Racing Aston Martin squad.

Its Vantage GT3 crewed by Ian James, Daniel Mancinelli, and Alex Riberas crossed the line with almost half a minute in hand over its nearest competitor to take the victory.

Bronze-rated James, who's also Heart of Racing's team principal, laid the foundation for the squad’s first WEC victory since joining the series last year. The Briton converted pole position into the race lead and raced away from Sarah Bovy in the Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracan EVO2.

Heart of Racing’s run to victory was made easier when a clash between the Iron Lynx-run Lamborghini (which Bovy shared with Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting) and the best of the TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs (the #81 entry driven by Tom van Rompuy, Rui Andrade, and Charlie Eastwood) took both cars from contention.

That allowed the two Manthey-run Porsche 911 GT3-Rs — running 1-2 in the class points coming into the Austin race — to come through to claim second and third positions despite receiving a Balance of Performance hit and carrying significant success ballast.

Alex Malykhin, Joel Sturm, and Klaus Bachler took second with 30kg of success ballast, while the sister car of Yasser Shahin, Morris Schuring, and Richard Lietz took third with 25kg after the Shahin received a drive-through for a track limits violation.

Vanthoor, Lotterer, and Estre still lead the Hypercar championship on 125 points; Molina, Nielsen, Fuoco and de Vries and Kobayashi tied on 113 points.

Amazing for Ferrari to win two races on the same day!

It could've been even better had #51 not had the issue that caused it to retire.

[458 Italia]

Austin 02 September 2024
Ferrari leaves the Circuit of the Americas with a win and a third place, achieved by the 499P number 83, crewed by Yifei Ye, Robert Shwartzman, and Robert Kubica, and the 499P number 51, piloted by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen. Here are the comments at the end of round six of the FIA WEC 2024.

Nicklas Nielsen, 499P #50: “We secured third place, which, while leaving us with some regret as we were aiming for the top spot, still allowed us to gain valuable points for the standings. Now, we turn our focus to the next race at Fuji in a fortnight. Although the Japanese track may not be the one that best suits our 499P, we'll give it our all to keep our championship challenge alive.”

Antonio Giovinazzi, 499P #51: “The 499P number 83’s victory and the 51’s third place are outstanding results for which I congratulate the entire team. Unfortunately, we encountered a problem with our car, which forced us to retire. It’s a real shame, as we had an excellent weekend up to that point, even securing pole position. Now, we turn our focus to Fuji, where in a fortnight, we’ll have the chance to make up for and get back on track to prove our competitiveness once again.”

Yifei Ye, 499P #83: : I can’t describe what I am feeling. We began the weekend in the best possible way with a strong qualifying performance, and the race itself was flawless, with no mistakes from the team or us drivers. They are proud to be part of this extraordinary day for Ferrari, which has won in the FIA WEC and Formula 1 here in America and Italy. We have finally gained payback after the unfortunate race at Le Mans. This win repays us for so much effort and gives us confidence heading into the season’s final two races.”

Robert Shwartzman, 499P #83: “I am delighted; today, we have written a page of history for Ferrari and our team. It was a very difficult race. Toyota was a tough opponent and put us under a lot of pressure. However, in the end, we maintained our lead and achieved an outstanding result. I want to thank the entire team for their outstanding work and my teammates, who were really strong. After our retirement at Le Mans, where we were big contenders for so long, I’ve been waiting for a moment like this. Stepping onto the podium filled me with a unique emotion.”

Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti: It was a remarkable day for Ferrari, which, following its earlier victory at Monza in Formula 1, also triumphed in the FIA WEC. We are delighted to have secured a third victory for the Prancing Horse, after the two fantastic ones at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year and in 2023, and the first one in the overall standings for the AF Corse client team with the 499P number 83. Congratulations to the entire team and the three drivers who successfully held off Toyota—a feat that was far from easy. Kubica’s strong start, Ye’s solid middle stint, and Shwartzman’s brilliant finish were truly memorable. We also leave Austin pleased about the excellent third place of the 499P number 50, driven by Fuoco, Molina, and Nielsen.

Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Endurance Race Cars:This is an exceptional day for Ferrari, with two victories in two world championships. We are all delighted to have placed two Prancing Horse cars on the podium, with one taking the top step here at COTA. As expected, it was a challenging race, but we executed it perfectly, extracting maximum performance from the car in every situation. However, there is still a lot of work to do to close the gap with our rivals completely, and that will be our focus starting tomorrow. Our one major regret is the withdrawal of the 499P No. 51 because of a mechanical failure following contact with a GT car.

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Ferrari appeal against Spa WEC result thrown out by court
Ferrari had appealed the classification after a controversial end


The results of the Spa 6 Hours World Endurance Championship round in May stand after Ferrari’s appeal of its failed protest was rejected by the FIA International Court of Appeal.

The decision of the court, announced on Tuesday after a hearing in Geneva last week, means that the #12 Jota Porsche 963 LMDh shared by Will Stevens and Callum Ilott has been confirmed as the winner of round three of the 2024 WEC at the Belgian venue.

The court upheld the decision of the stewards of the meeting to throw out the protest of the factory Ferrari AF Corse team against the decision to restart the race beyond the original scheduled finish time of the event and therefore the provisional classification.

The relevant decision, #71, was protested by Ferrari outside of the one-hour time limit laid down in the FIA International Sporting Code and therefore was “final and binding”.

The court additionally stated that Ferrari’s submissions “must be rejected as they are exclusively based on the argument that decision #71 breached the regulations and that ‘consequently’ the provisional classification, respectively the final classification, has to be amended”.

It stated that because Ferrari did not raise any further argument against the provisional classification “the appeal must be rejected on this point as well”.

It pointed out that the protest procedure is to allow one competitor to challenge another for an alleged breach of regulations.



But the court said that the stewards were “wrong to simply reject” the protest because their decisions cannot be challenged, stating that a challenge to the provisional results is expressly mentioned in the sporting code.

The ruling from the court ordered “the competent sporting authority [meaning the FIA] to draw, as appropriate, the consequences of this ruling”.

That is a reference to a clause in the WEC sporting code regarded as ambiguous by many, which states that the stewards can "stop and/or modify the race time set”.

“This may not exceed the time of the competition," it continues.

The stewards interpreted that as the duration of race rather than the timeframe in which it is scheduled to take place.

Ferrari has claimed that its protest was at least partially motivated to achieve a clarification of rules that resulted in an unprecedented extension of the timeframe of the race at Spa.

The need for extensive barrier repairs prevented the race being resumed after a red-flag stoppage within the original six-hour duration, but the stewards decided to restart the event beyond the scheduled 19:00 finish.

A further one hour and 44 minutes of racing — the remaining time on the clock at the stoppage minus the time it took for the cars to line up on the start-finish straight - began at 19:10.

The two factory Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercars had been running 1-2 when the race was red-flagged after four hours and 13 minutes.

Ferrari ended up finishing third and fourth with its #50 and #51 cars after the winning #12 Jota Porsche and the second-placed #6 factory Porsche Penske Motorsport entry leapfrogged the Italian cars because the time they lost pitting just before the red flags was reduced when the field was closed up behind the safety car at the restart.


Nothing to see here people! :roll

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https://i.imgur.com/Bd2A0Bc.png

FP3 results.

Session got red flagged and won't resume due to bits of concrete coming loose and flying up.

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Only one Ferrari 499P made it through to Hyperpole #50 will start down in 7th with #51 and #83 way back in 12th and 13th.

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Fuji 14 September 2024
The Ferrari AF Corse team’s 499Ps will start in 7th and 12th positions at the Fuji International Speedway, the venue for round seven of the FIA World Endurance Championship. In the 6 Hours of Fuji qualifying session, Antonio Fuoco, in car number 50, secured a place in the Hyperpole—reserved for the ten fastest crews. Antonio Giovinazzi, in Hypercar number 51, finished 12th, placing him 6th on the grid.

Car number 83, qualified by Robert Kubica, who shares the AF Corse car with Ferrari official drivers Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman, will start from 13th. The 6 Hours of Fuji will kick off on Sunday, 15 September, at 11 a.m. (local time).

Qualifying. The Maranello cars had a challenging session, with dry track conditions and air and asphalt temperatures of around 28°C and 39.5°C, respectively.

Fuoco clocked a time of 1’29”510 on his 6th lap—out of seven completed—securing 7th place and qualification for the Hyperpole. The Italian driver was 0.420 seconds behind the leading number 2 Cadillac. Giovinazzi qualified 12th in the ‘sister’ 499P with a best lap time of 1’29”772.

Car number 83, driven by Kubica, followed closely in 13th, with a time of 1’29”829.

Hyperpole. On the decisive lap to determine the starting grid, Fuoco improved his time to 1’29”196, just 0.295 seconds behind the pole position set by the number 2 Cadillac. This result earned the driver, who won this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, a 4th-row start for the Japanese race. The Hyperpole session was also incredibly close, with the top seven cars separated by less than three-tenths of a second.

The programme. The 6 Hours of Fuji will take place on Sunday, 15 September, with the green flag at 11 a.m. (local time).

[458 Italia]

Comments
after
Hyperpole
at
Fuji

The 6 Hours of Fuji, the 7th event of the 2024 FIA WEC, will see the Ferrari AF Corse team’s 499Ps start in 7th and 12th positions, with Fuoco-Molina-Nielsen in car number 50 and Pier Guidi-Calado-Giovinazzi in number 51.

The Le Mans Hypercar number 83, entered by AF Corse and crewed by Ye-Shwartzman-Kubica, will start from 13th. Here are the comments following qualifying and the Hyperpole.

Antonio Fuoco, 499P #50: “It was a challenging day, as we saw in both qualifying and the Hyperpole. Several opponents have proved very competitive here at Fuji, and from the start of the week, we knew this race wouldn't be easy for us. The starting position isn’t ideal, but there are positives to take away: the team is doing an outstanding job, and we’ve made progress since the first two free practice sessions. Also, looking back to 2023, when we debuted here in Japan with the 499P, we’ve made progress. The 6 Hours will be difficult, but as always, we’ll give everything to achieve the best result possible.”

Antonio Giovinazzi, 499P #51: “We gave it our all today, but qualifying was highly challenging, and we didn't make it into the Hyperpole. Obviously, we’re not satisfied, but now our focus shifts to the race, which will be a tough test for our 499P.”

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https://i.imgur.com/boioTlv.png

Starting grid.

I hope a podium is possible today. The LMGT3 Ferraris look strong this race, would be great if they could get a win.

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Dreadful opening laps #83 gets hit and hits #51 in as a result.

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Dreadful in LMGT3 too both Ferraris are 10th and last place.