WEC + GT World Challenge + IMSA + ELMS

[458 Italia]

The new WEC season kicks off today with the 1000 Miles of Sebring this afternoon.

I didn't see qualifying but the Ferraris are a little way back Behind Porsche and Corvette and an AM Aston Martin.

[wisepie]

I'll be following their progress as best I can, no way I want to see those teams ahead!;-)

[458 Italia]

It's interesting to see how the AF Corse Oreca Gibson is running ahead of Ferrari's entry into hypercar.

Corvette leading GTE Pro after Porsche received a 15 second penalty for and infringement at the start. AF Corse are 4th and 5th.

[458 Italia]

Red Flag, big crash for a Toyota. Looks like he got a tap from behind which sent the car to tap the barriers, continued with damage and no steering and drove into the tyre wall which flipped the car upside down.

[458 Italia]

Back underway behind the safety car, 3 hours 54 minutes left.

[458 Italia]

Really tough race for Ferrari in both Pro and Am, we're no where sadly.

[458 Italia]

Safety car and now another red flag. Looks like an electrical storm is coming in. I think that will be it for the race.

Ah it's a Floridian law which means racing has to stop.

Oh racing again in 10 minutes. Miserable day for Ferrari anyway.

[458 Italia]

Nope. Red flag again behind the safety car before going green again, with 35 minutes and counting left that will probably be that.

[Rob]

Was good race. Love Sebring. AF Corse wins lmp2 am on debut.

As for pro and am gte.. Was hard. BOP, that dreaded word.. Didnt give us good hand, plus thr nee biofuel wec using this year. Didnt give us the power we were hoping.

[458 Italia]

Hey Rob :wave

BoP was well off!

Great performance in LMP2, Prema did ok too. Are you watching IMSA now?

[458 Italia]

Great battle between Ferrari and Lamborghini

Live link https://www.imsa.com/tvlive/

[458 Italia]

Damn, problems for the #62 Ferrari dropping way back with a long stay in the pits to fix a steering problem (I think).

[wisepie]

Got a bit carried away with the Bahrain F1 FP sessions and quali, so didn't dip in as often as I wanted to, although seems things didn't go too well at Sebring. Damn BoP again, amongst other issues.:roll

[458 Italia]

Got a bit carried away with the Bahrain F1 FP sessions and quali, so didn't dip in as often as I wanted to, although seems things didn't go too well at Sebring. Damn BoP again, amongst other issues.:roll

Ferrari were doing well in the IMSA 12 hour race at Sebring with Risi Competizione #62 but have lost a lot of ground after a long pit stop to fix a steering issue, 6 laps behind the Pro leader now.

[Rob]

Now tuned in. Did watch first hour or so. Cheering on 47 and 21. Many friends in the crews. They worked yesterday in wec. Also, couple friends friends are there watching. They live an hour fromnthe track. Beem camping since Wednesday. Sent videos and pictures of the storm last night. Looked apocolyptic.

[458 Italia]

Now tuned in. Did watch first hour or so. Cheering on 47 and 21. Many friends in the crews. They worked yesterday in wec. Also, couple friends friends are there watching. They live an hour fromnthe track. Beem camping since Wednesday. Sent videos and pictures of the storm last night. Looked apocolyptic.

Vilander and team have had a very solid race so far :thumb

[458 Italia]

2 hours left and the #47 GTD car is still fighting for the win!

[wisepie]

Thanks for the updates, and car #47 took the GTD win in the end, great job!

[458 Italia]

GT World Challenge is on today at Imola, can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GhBBxUazMk

Valentino Rossi is driving.

[458 Italia]

He may not be driving a Ferrari, but Rossi is looking really impressive!

[458 Italia]

Well he was until he missed his pit box :rotfl

[Rob]

Well he was until he missed his pit box :rotfl

He done well.. Just the lollipop man couldnt stand in the lane due to sister car pitting

[458 Italia]

He done well.. Just the lollipop man couldnt stand in the lane due to sister car pitting

Yeah he did really well, lap times improved constantly. It was an unfortunate error in the pits as he was unsighted due to the lollipop man being unable to get out into the congested pit lane like you say.

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMNBsc1xmmY

GT World Challenge Amercia at Sonoma Raceway

[458 Italia]

I wonder if Rob is at Brands Hatch today!

[Rob]

I wonder if Rob is at Brands Hatch today!

Yeah, I was there. Me and jacob had paddock passes. Was great time.. So good too see some friends we hadnt seen for couple years.

We were in the 53 pits for start of 1st race. On formation lap, they all fist pump, and they all included Jacob aswell. He loved it. Got alot pictures but no idea how to share on here now stopped using tinypic

[wisepie]

Yeah, I was there. Me and jacob had paddock passes. Was great time.. So good too see some friends we hadnt seen for couple years.

We were in the 53 pits for start of 1st race. On formation lap, they all fist pump, and they all included Jacob aswell. He loved it. Got alot pictures but no idea how to share on here now stopped using tinypic

Some of my friends were there too, if only to see Valentino Rossi, they weren't impressed with the Race 1 Ferrari victory! Glad you and Jacob had a great time.

[458 Italia]

Yeah, I was there. Me and jacob had paddock passes. Was great time.. So good too see some friends we hadnt seen for couple years.

We were in the 53 pits for start of 1st race. On formation lap, they all fist pump, and they all included Jacob aswell. He loved it. Got alot pictures but no idea how to share on here now stopped using tinypic

Sounds like you had a brilliant day :thumb

[458 Italia]

WEC 6 hours of Spa is underway. Hoping the Ferrari has strong race pace.

Great start for #51 :-D

[458 Italia]

Red flag. After a big shunt for an LMP2 car which is stranded in the middle of the track.

[458 Italia]

Greasy track now from drizzle rain and cars are going off everywhere behind the safety car.

[458 Italia]

Another red flag as the rain has intensified. Don't know what has caused it as the live feed and commentary has died.

[458 Italia]

Another red flag due to the rain, this race is a bit of a mess. AF Corse in a great position though.

[Rob]

As much as i love spa, i also hate spa due to this weather. Meant to "spice up" racing. Not stop it.

[458 Italia]

As much as i love spa, i also hate spa due to this weather. Meant to "spice up" racing. Not stop it.

Indeed!

Btw managed to get timing working although not sure how lol!

[458 Italia]

1st and 3rd for Ferrari in GTE Pro :-) That Porsche was fast at the end!

[Tifoso]

1st and 3rd for Ferrari in GTE Pro :-) That Porsche was fast at the end!

I was biting my fingernails at the end. :-E

[458 Italia]

I was biting my fingernails at the end. :-E

Me too! Got too close for comfort another lap and I feared the lead would've been lost!

[Rob]

Definitely, if there would of been another lap, the track was drying, and the porsche was getting quicker than us.

Hell of a race. Superbproud of the crews.

[Rob]

And a Ale, hero stint. 4.5 hours in the car.

[458 Italia]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oKCk0GZZH9o

Magny Cours Sprint Race 1 on now.

Used to love having a GP at this track, brings back memories of the 4 pit stop race. They ruined the final chicane though.

[458 Italia]

That was nice I had Max Chilton answer a question I tweeted him about Indy 500 tyres on air. :-)

[458 Italia]

Roman Grosjean has crashed his car at turn 2!

[458 Italia]

Marcus Ericsson is leading with 6 laps to go!

[458 Italia]

Red flag 4 Laps to go. Anything could happen now!

[458 Italia]

2 racing laps will be left.

[458 Italia]

Ericsson wins!

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=UHHLXGoX5ZA

Also on Sky Sports F1.

No idea what's happened to the Iron Lynx Ferrari's race pace. It's been a disappointing race so far after starting on pole!

[Rob]

Is it on sky sports?

Good race so far. Feel for many of the crews and drivers. Finish here tonight, travel to le mans for test day, then got one of the longest weeks and weekends. No a lot of sleep.

[458 Italia]

Is it on sky sports?

Good race so far. Feel for many of the crews and drivers. Finish here tonight, travel to le mans for test day, then got one of the longest weeks and weekends. No a lot of sleep.

Sorry mate just seen your post now, Yep it's on Sky Sports.

Really great race so far, the night time running seems to suit the car. Yeah feel for the teams! Great to have Le mans back in the right month though!

[458 Italia]

Is it on sky sports?

Good race so far. Feel for many of the crews and drivers. Finish here tonight, travel to le mans for test day, then got one of the longest weeks and weekends. No a lot of sleep.

Sorry mate just seen your post now, Yep it's on Sky Sports.

Really great race so far, the night time running seems to suit the car. Yeah feel for the teams! Great to have Le mans back in the right month though!

Oh did you see everyone was losing their minds last week, including brundle and croft because Eduardo didn't start the race for an hour?

[Rob]

I don't have sky sports.. No need pay all that for something i don't watch often.

No i didnt see the race last Sunday as was at Snetterton for Ferrari challenge uk. Great day.

Love Paul ricard. Especially using the whole of the straight. The 71 and 51 been fairly dialed in.

[458 Italia]

I don't have sky sports.. No need pay all that for something i don't watch often.

No i didnt see the race last Sunday as was at Snetterton for Ferrari challenge uk. Great day.

Love Paul ricard. Especially using the whole of the straight. The 71 and 51 been fairly dialed in.

They were acting like Eduardo Freitas had never directed a race before and didn't know what he was doing, it was pretty pathetic really. Turned out he made the right calls after all!

Paul Ricard is a bit of a marmite track for me! But agree glad they're using all of the straight. First couple of hours it just seemed #71 and #51 were slipping backwards, but since the rounds of pitstops and night time they've really come alive great to see.

[458 Italia]

I don't have sky sports.. No need pay all that for something i don't watch often.

No i didnt see the race last Sunday as was at Snetterton for Ferrari challenge uk. Great day.

Love Paul ricard. Especially using the whole of the straight. The 71 and 51 been fairly dialed in.

They were acting like Eduardo Freitas had never directed a race before and didn't know what he was doing, it was pretty pathetic really. Turned out he made the right calls after all!

Paul Ricard is a bit of a marmite track for me! But agree glad they're using all of the straight. First couple of hours it just seemed #71 and #51 were slipping backwards, but since the rounds of pitstops and night time they've really come alive great to see.

[458 Italia]

Fantastic 1/2!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

Le Man's Hyperpole starting soon so excited! :pass:ferrarifl:pass:ferrarifl

[wisepie]

Assume you're in France, Rob? We've just got back from D-Day in Normandy, a load of Le Mans bound cars came off the ferry we were boarding, I wanted to join them but too old for all that excitement nowadays. If you are there, have a great time and well done 51/71 last weekend.

[458 Italia]

Not long to go now before the start of the greatest motorace in the world and there's some good news for Ferrari :-)


The Ferrari 488 GTE Evos in the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes have received a slight turbo boost pressure increase after hyperpole for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Courtesy of a Balance of Performance update, the cars from the Italian manufacturer have regained some of the turbo boost they lost in a BoP adjustment on Wednesday.

The factory GTE-Pro Ferraris and the privateer Riley Motorsports machine have gained 0.02 bars of pressure after previously receiving a reduction of 0.07 bar.

The Ferraris in GTE-Am have gained 0.01 bar of turbo boost pressure, following a reduction of 0.06 bar during the week.

No other changes have been made to the BoP in the two GTE classes. On Wednesday, the Ferraris also had their fuel capacity reduced by 3 liters, with the adjusted figures of 87 liters in Pro and 84 liters in Am remaining in place after Friday’s update.

Sadly the Alpine Hypercar has also een hit by a bop change which will make them slower.

[458 Italia]

Not long to go now before the start of the greatest motorace in the world and there's some good news for Ferrari :-)


The Ferrari 488 GTE Evos in the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes have received a slight turbo boost pressure increase after hyperpole for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Courtesy of a Balance of Performance update, the cars from the Italian manufacturer have regained some of the turbo boost they lost in a BoP adjustment on Wednesday.

The factory GTE-Pro Ferraris and the privateer Riley Motorsports machine have gained 0.02 bars of pressure after previously receiving a reduction of 0.07 bar.

The Ferraris in GTE-Am have gained 0.01 bar of turbo boost pressure, following a reduction of 0.06 bar during the week.

No other changes have been made to the BoP in the two GTE classes. On Wednesday, the Ferraris also had their fuel capacity reduced by 3 liters, with the adjusted figures of 87 liters in Pro and 84 liters in Am remaining in place after Friday’s update.

Sadly the Alpine Hypercar has also een hit by a bop change which will make them slower.

[458 Italia]

We're being outpaced by Corvette and Porsche by about 1.5 seconds in the early stages of the race.

[458 Italia]

Martin Brundle is there supporting Alex.

[458 Italia]

Doesn't look like the BoP change is doing much for us. Porsche have raced away from us and so has Corvette more so.

[wisepie]

Doesn't look like the BoP change is doing much for us. Porsche have raced away from us and so has Corvette more so.

It's a long old race, anything can happen, don't give up yet! How are you watching it?

[Rob]

Just wish bop was done more fairly. I get, i understand it. But dont bop out a front running team for whatever reason. Think we being hurt for bahrain finale. They took away 0.7 boost, and gave us back 0.2. Thats nothing. And couple litres less fuel. Just look at the pro am timings. Our best car is 6th.

Thought we were going get proper race in hypercar this year, but, whatever reason aco saw it fit to reduce the alpines power.

[458 Italia]

It's a long old race, anything can happen, don't give up yet! How are you watching it?

Watching it on Eurosport mate, got the the racing on one screen and the live timing on another :-D

[458 Italia]

Just wish bop was done more fairly. I get, i understand it. But dont bop out a front running team for whatever reason. Think we being hurt for bahrain finale. They took away 0.7 boost, and gave us back 0.2. Thats nothing. And couple litres less fuel. Just look at the pro am timings. Our best car is 6th.

Thought we were going get proper race in hypercar this year, but, whatever reason aco saw it fit to reduce the alpines power.

Yeah massively disappointed with the BoP decisions across the field it's like they're happy with big gaps between cars in the same class.

We've been penalised in every area it seems with less power and fuel. Porsche able to go a lap longer than us. Here's hoping the cooler night time gives us a bit of performance back over our rivals.

Did you manage to sort the timing out?

[458 Italia]

Jumped ahead of #64 Corvette due to it needing a brake change.

Pace has picked up a little, slowing gaining on the Porsche.

[458 Italia]

#63 Vette got problems now, good for us!

[458 Italia]

#51 running in 2nd, #52 in 5th.

[Rob]

:pray

[458 Italia]

:pray

It's looking better than it was. :pray

Oh no! #51 is showing as stopped or running slowly. :-E

[458 Italia]

#71 Spirit of Race Ferrari is out of the race.

[458 Italia]

12 hours in only 2 retirements, no safety cars, no FCY this never happens at Le Mans.

[wisepie]

Watching it on Eurosport mate, got the the racing on one screen and the live timing on another :-D

Thanks, don't have Eurosport but keep checking in on the live timing, not always a good idea?!;-)

[Kyss4k]

Well looks like a double podium si in play after all that happened. But I already can't wait for the true hypercar era to begin. That will be something special.

[wisepie]

P2/3 in GTEPro is a great result, GTEAm was not such a happy picture being beaten by Aston/Porsche, no doubt the BoP again went against us, but plenty of Ferrari 488GTEs which actually finished, unlike the Baku GP.:roll

[458 Italia]

https://www.bmw-motorsport.com/content/dam/bmw/marketBMWSPORTS/bmw-motorsport_com/news/2022/LMDh_Livery/Header.jpghttps://www.bmw-motorsport.com/content/dam/bmw/marketBMWSPORTS/bmw-motorsport_com/news/2022/LMDh_Livery/Bild1.jpg.asset.1654430063364.jpg
https://www.bmw-motorsport.com/content/dam/bmw/marketBMWSPORTS/bmw-motorsport_com/news/2022/LMDh_Livery/Bild3.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.resized.img.890.medium.time1654430157099.jp g

BMW M Hybrid LMDh. Looks a stunner IMO!

[wisepie]

I hope you are not defecting, 458 Italia!;-)

[458 Italia]

I hope you are not defecting, 458 Italia!;-)

Never! :ferrarifl I just thought it looked neat with the shape of the nose and livery :thumb In any case the BMW will be in LMDh whereas the soon to be launched Ferrari will be in the top LMH class ;-)

[wisepie]

Never! :ferrarifl I just thought it looked neat with the shape of the nose and livery :thumb In any case the BMW will be in LMDh whereas the soon to be launched Ferrari will be in the top LMH class ;-)

Pleased to hear that you aren't defecting, to BMW or anyone else, and good point about the LMDh/LMH classes, it gets very confusing for this old person! Can't keep up nowadays!;-)

[458 Italia]

It's coming!

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/ferrari-wec-hypercar-breaks-cover-at-fiorano-test-circuit/10333823/https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/amp/YW7PqoOY/s1000/ferrari-hypercar-1.webp

[wisepie]

Looks a bit ungainly with that huge upright driver cockpit, don't you think? But if it works, who cares!

[458 Italia]

I agree it's not much of a looker ATM! But I'm sure once it's got a livery on it will look 100x better!

[Rob]

Looks a bit ungainly with that huge upright driver cockpit, don't you think? But if it works, who cares!

All prototypes have had the same driver position for a number of years. Used to be like f1 driving position. But after few accidents and drivers suffered back injuries they changed to more upright position.

[Greig]

Who gets to drive it at Le Mans?

Any chance Alonso gets a shout? :-D

[Rob]

Who gets to drive it at Le Mans?

Any chance Alonso gets a shout? :-D

I really hope not. We dont need him. But never say never.

[458 Italia]

I really hope not. We dont need him. But never say never.

I really hope the AF Corse drivers get first dibs.

[wisepie]

I really hope the AF Corse drivers get first dibs.

Agreed, and maybe GIO will get a chance.

[Rob]

I really hope the AF Corse drivers get first dibs.

Remember, they ALL factory drivers.

[458 Italia]

Remember, they ALL factory drivers.

Indeed, of course.

[Rob]

Think, could say, Ale and Nicklas have got seats for LMH. I know AF Corse and Ferrari been running driver evaluations over past months using oreca lmp2 car

[458 Italia]

Think, could say, Ale and Nicklas have got seats for LMH. I know AF Corse and Ferrari been running driver evaluations over past months using oreca lmp2 car

I tend to agree, gotta say I feel Alessandro deserves a seat IMO but they are all top drivers I trust AF to make the right call regarding line-up! I can't believe how often I've had to explain to people that AF Corse IS the the defacto factory team.

[Rob]

AF Corse isnan independent team. But, BUT, if Ferrari had a factory GTE Pro team, would look like AF Corse.

[458 Italia]

AF Corse isnan independent team. But, BUT, if Ferrari had a factory GTE Pro team, would look like AF Corse.

Speaking of which hoping we can get the win at Monza tomorrow :ferrarifl

[Rob]

It long race. Pole and p3 not bad starting place.

[458 Italia]

Nope not bad at all! Here's to hoping for a nice smooth race :-)

[Rob]

Fingers crossed mate. Hope to get 65km ride done in the morning before start of the race.

[458 Italia]

Breathless race so far! Early stop for Alessandro under FCY could be an advantage later hope it's a quick FCY.

#52 has stayed out, Corvette and Porsche pit.

[458 Italia]

Not a great race for Peugeot's new entry as it brings out a FCY stopped on track. Oh it's got moving again lol.... And now it's stopped again at the pit entrance. #52 takes the opportunity to pit this time around.

[Rob]

Its good. Remember, this is the first showing. They done 15,000kms on test beds. They doing well really. Impressed with it to be honest.

[458 Italia]

That's a nasty crash! Thanks Eurosport for cutting coverage halfway through the race :roll

[458 Italia]

Really peed me off that has Tour de France fine but why do you need to show Wimbledon when most people will watch on the BBC anyway :ouch

[Rob]

Luckily i got discovery plus.

[458 Italia]

Disappointing result despite 2nd and 3rd what happened!? Couldn't see anymore of the race after Eurosport changed to Wimbledon.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/aKRuup3.jpg

[458 Italia]

GT World Challenge Europe 24 hours of Spa this weekend.

Also Ferrari have revealed the successor to the 488.

https://www.motorsport.com/gt/news/ferrari-launches-296-gt3-car-f1-technology/10344990/?nrt=76

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl/6b7PwAv0/s8/ferrari-296-gt3-1.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bgjCcm91P8

[458 Italia]

GT World Challenge Europe 24 hours of Spa this weekend.

Also Ferrari have revealed the successor to the 488.

https://www.motorsport.com/gt/news/ferrari-launches-296-gt3-car-f1-technology/10344990/?nrt=76

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl/6b7PwAv0/s8/ferrari-296-gt3-1.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bgjCcm91P8

[Riccardog]

I hardly ever watch endurance races, for ONE simple reason: My heart breaks every time one of these beautiful Ferrari cars gets damaged.... they are such fantastic works of art!

[458 Italia]

I hardly ever watch endurance races, for ONE simple reason: My heart breaks every time one of these beautiful Ferrari cars gets damaged.... they are such fantastic works of art!

Believe me I know the feeling! Endurance racing is going to get even more epic in the next couple of years with pretty much all the top manufacturers making a return to the highest class including Ferrari with the new LMH car, AF Corse will be challenging on multiple fronts! :thumb

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKzQqrl2vIA

Live stream of Spa.

[Rob]

I hardly ever watch endurance races, for ONE simple reason: My heart breaks every time one of these beautiful Ferrari cars gets damaged.... they are such fantastic works of art!

Could say same thing about f1 car.

Should watch it. Lot more racibg, door to door, exciting, and its proper racing.

[wisepie]

Ciao Rob, good to see AF Corse's WEC GTE-Pro championship victory this weekend in Bahrain, hard fought and finally something to cheer about. Well done to all concerned.:thumb

[wisepie]

Good to see the line-up for the WEC Hypercar 2023 drivers in the 50/51 cars....including Antonio Giovinazzi, which I think he deserves, teamed with Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado.

[458 Italia]

Really excited for 1000 miles of Sebring the car in free practice 3 looks great!

[wisepie]

Really excited for 1000 miles of Sebring the car in free practice 3 looks great!

Looking forward to seeing what the 499P can do, I know it's run by AF Corse (a good thing) but I wonder if the Hypercar programme may have impacted the F1 development. Just a thought.

[458 Italia]

Qualifying time for Hypercar is now. FORZA FERRARI :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

POLE FOR FERRARI!!!!! #50 AF CORSE!!!!!! GET IN!!!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[SFTifoso]

With the F1 team being so… you know… this is really good news! Hope Ferrari wins the 24 hours du mans. Can we get Vettel onboard? I also hope Ford stops being chicken and give Ferrari a rematch at the overall at Le Mans. They’ve milked that 60’s win long enough!

[PURE PASSION]

POLE FOR FERRARI!!!!! #50 AF CORSE!!!!!! GET IN!!!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

:nana:nana:nana:nana:champ:champ:champ:champ:ferra rifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[wisepie]

:nana:nana:nana:nana:champ:champ:champ:champ:ferra rifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

This nis promising, well done ragazzi, just hope it lasts the distance. Maybe a pole in Jeddah GP, who knows? We live in hope. Forza Ferrari/AF Corse.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.io/g9Whoxm_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=mediumhttps://i.imgur.io/UjuRtfS_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

[458 Italia]

Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari in GTE AM is out of the race. :-s

Car ended up upside down but the driver is ok.

[458 Italia]

Slow stop for #51 which will put it down the order a bit.

[458 Italia]

#50 under investigation for overtaking under the safety car :-??

[458 Italia]

17:05:04 Race Control DRIVE THROUGH PENALTY CAR 50 FOR OVERTAKING BEFORE THE LINE AT THE END OF THE SC PROCEDURE

[458 Italia]

17:28:36 Race Control PIT STOP CAR 50 UNDER INVESTIGATION

[458 Italia]

#50 Didn't get all the fuel during it's last pitstop so will have to stop again soon. Not working out too well atm for the pole sitting car.

[458 Italia]

17:59:04 Hypercar H #50 Driver change (FUOCO, Antonio to MOLINA, Miguel)

[458 Italia]

more woes:

18:00:03 Race Control 5 SECONDS ADDED TO THE NEXT PIT STOP OF CAR 50 FOR A PIT STOP INFRINGEMENT

[458 Italia]

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

[wisepie]

OMG, one setback after another, Ferrari's weekend is so far not going to plan in any series. But still plenty of time to recover, with luck.

[458 Italia]

OMG, one setback after another, Ferrari's weekend is so far not going to plan in any series.

It's been 2 hours of silly mistakes and picking up penalties for the #50 car and that's the one which seems to have the most pace out of the 2. Toyota were always going to be favourites for the race but I didn't expect it to be as easy as it has been for them.

[458 Italia]

18:14:00 Hypercar H #51 Driver change (PIER GUIDI, Alessandro to CALADO, James)

[PURE PASSION]

so it looks we have the same pace with Cadillac & Porsche and far away from Toyotas!!!

[458 Italia]

It looks like that both Ferraris will be lapped soon, #50 already has been and the Toyotas are closing in on #51 :-s

I have to assume the hot track temps has hurt our performance.

[458 Italia]

19:49:54 Hypercar H #50 Driver change (MOLINA, Miguel to NIELSEN, Nicklas)

[458 Italia]

Both cars struggling for grip.

[458 Italia]

19:59:28 Hypercar H #51 Driver change (CALADO, James to GIOVINAZZI, Antonio)

[458 Italia]

Track temp as dropped by a couple of degrees, would be nice if we could start to show some of the pace from yesterday.

[nuni]

Giovinazzi best lap 1,5s slower than team mates:-s

[458 Italia]

Giovinazzi best lap 1,5s slower than team mates:-s

The #51 car has been slower than the #50 the whole race, it's not only Gio that's driving it though, the cars have 3 drivers who take turns to do stints.

[nuni]

Yes, I know. I was saying the other 2 drivers best lap was almost 1,5 sec faster

Piero Guidi - 1 : 48 . 892
Calado - 1 : 48 . 971
Giovinazzi - 1 : 50 . 315

Same car

[458 Italia]

Yes, I know. I was saying the other 2 drivers best lap was almost 1,5 sec faster

Piero Guidi - 1 : 48 . 892
Calado - 1 : 48 . 971
Giovinazzi - 1 : 50 . 315

Same car

Oh apologies! :oops

I hadn't seen those times only the best overall.

[nuni]

Of course the more important is consistency, and not a killer lap but he doesn´t look good on that too. Probably not used to drive in traffic.

[458 Italia]

Indeed! I know what you mean though Guidi hasn't looked the most comfortable in the car but he is the one with the fastest lap still. I do think that this track is an anomaly though, I can't think if Giovinazzi has driven at Sebring before.

[458 Italia]

Oh great now #51 is damaged in a coming together, Guidi driving.

1:59:05 Race Control INCIDENT BETWENN CAR 51 AND 56 UNDER INVESTIGATION

Lots of damage.

Ferrari #54 involved in the middle of all of it.

[458 Italia]

They are actually using a saw trying to hack material around the break off.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/9q34WGy.png

[458 Italia]

James Calado doesn't sound that confident about the car getting out again :-??

[458 Italia]

Jacques V is VERY lucky there!

[nuni]

Fuoco is fast.

[458 Italia]

22:21:34 Hypercar H #51 (PIER GUIDI, Alessandro) has left the pits

:-)

[458 Italia]

Fuoco is fast. Would be nice to reach 2nd place, but depends on the number of pit stops.

He's been a star this weekend! I really think 2nd is out of reach, if an SC were to come at the right time though :-D

[458 Italia]

22:24:54 Race Control 10 SECONDS STOP AND GO PENALTY CAR 51 FOR CAUSING A COLLISION WITH CAR 56 AT T16

[458 Italia]

Christ Villeneuve looks very old!

[458 Italia]

Things get worse for #51 Left rear overheating so a lot of lift and coast is need. :-s

[wisepie]

Well we got a podium, P3 for the #50 499P so all is not lost after a great effort. GTEAm P3/4/5, shame about #51 car which had its troubles but got home in P15.

[Cavallino]

Firstly, i put the times for the 12 hours of Sebring into my phone, so i missed it.

Anyway, best of the rest on our return !!! I'll take it!!!

we shouldn't expect to walk in and beat Toyota ( even though Audi thinks it should be allowed to walk in and be at the top of F1 )

how does BOP even work ( or i guess it doesn't work since Toyota is still this dominant )

[The Architect]

Watched some of the race from the onboard stream with live timing on the side - I've never liked Sebring. I suppose third is the best they could have hoped for given the apparent performance differential to the Toyotas. Were they just being conservative given it was the first race with the new car? BoP might bring them closer, but I would hate for that to be the case.

[Tifoso]

Fuoco is fast.

He's on fire. ;-)

[wisepie]

He's on fire. ;-)

Very clever and very apt!;-)

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/cNj5Btp.png

No Pole today sadly and a massive gap to the Toyotas.

[wisepie]

https://i.imgur.com/cNj5Btp.png

No Pole today sadly and a massive gap to the Toyotas.

To be expected, I suppose, but better P3/4 than losing out to others in the same class.

[458 Italia]

To be expected, I suppose, but better P3/4 than losing out to others in the same class.

I'd like to think that the car is set up more for the race as well and that the gap will be closer than it was at Sebring.

[458 Italia]

Good start by James Calado moving up to 2nd at the start, that didn't last long though as James made a mistake and let #8 make the pass. The Toyota's have run off into the distance.

[458 Italia]

Angry exchange on the radio between James in #51 and the team when asked to let #50 overtake.

[458 Italia]

#50 has got the overtake on #51 in traffic.

James is really angry!

[458 Italia]

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

[458 Italia]

Things not looking good for #51 :-s

[458 Italia]

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

2 hours to go.

[458 Italia]

It's not fun being a lap behind the leader when you're running in 2nd :-??

[458 Italia]

Guidi limping home in the #51 he has no brakes.

[wisepie]

Thanks for keeping us updated, 458 Italia, unable to follow it on TV but hope both cars make the finish.

[458 Italia]

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

How it finished.

[458 Italia]

Thanks for keeping us updated, 458 Italia, unable to follow it on TV but hope both cars make the finish.

:thumb

[wisepie]

P2 and P5 could have been worse, at least the 2nd car finished after all the brake issues, and P2/4/5 for the GTEs, so quite a respectable day. Bravo ragazzi!:thumb

[brucewayne]

So we do have good personal in WEC? Promote all the competent talents to F1. It amazes me how calm Caladoa race engineer is. He should replace Xavi as soon as possible.

[Rob]

So we do have good personal in WEC? Promote all the competent talents to F1. It amazes me how calm Caladoa race engineer is. He should replace Xavi as soon as possible.

Because they are not Ferrari employees. They are af corse. And plus, they dont count f1 as a promotion or better. They in endurance racing because its better. And their passion. And his name ia Damien.

[Rob]

Off to Spa next weekend for WEC.

Can not wait.

[458 Italia]

Off to Spa next weekend for WEC.

Can not wait.

You're alive! :bow

Oh wow that's going to be amazing! It's going to be packed!

Have you been checking the long range weather forecast? :-D

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/0l0c3ev.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/s2JDgnj.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/OY6gaFp.jpg

[458 Italia]

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

How things stand after FP1.

[458 Italia]

Lots of yellows, FCY and red flags in the practice sessions today, I can only speculate that the low temperatures are making it difficult to get the tyres hot but I can't actually see footage of what's going on.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/8USYpnh.png

FP2

[wisepie]

Thanks for the info, no doubt the weather will be typically Spa, but not looking too bad for our ragazzi.

[458 Italia]

Wet track for FP3.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/Dn7JCyn.png

The track was evolving and getting quicker pretty rapidly towards the end of session, we'll know where everyone stands after qualifying.


We must say a massive Happy Birthday to Rob! What a brilliant birthday present to be at Spa this weekend! :ferrarifl:-bounce:cheers:nana:dance:cflag

[wisepie]

https://i.imgur.com/Dn7JCyn.png

The track was evolving and getting quicker pretty rapidly towards the end of session, we'll know where everyone stands after qualifying.


We must say a massive Happy Birthday to Rob! What a brilliant birthday present to be at Spa this weekend! :ferrarifl:-bounce:cheers:nana:dance:cflag

Happy Birthday Rob, hope the quali times can improve and that your day gets better!

[458 Italia]

Big shunt for the #56 Porsche in GT qualifying which is on now.

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/38gNFRP.png

Not a great qualifying for the GT Ferraris, but they're still the fastest car when you include free practice times.

[458 Italia]

Hypercar quali #8 Toyota is out! tried to put too much power down on cold tyres and bins it in the wall!

When temperatures are as low as they are at Spa it's a bit dangerous to not have the tyre ovens anymore.

[458 Italia]

Antonio spins in the #51 at turn 1, no damage though. :-s

[458 Italia]

Pole for Ferrari!!! #51!!! Antonio you beauty!!!

[458 Italia]

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

Could've been at Ferrari 1/2! had Molina not overcooked it!

Think I saw Rob in the AF Corse garage as well!

[458 Italia]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!! :-(

Pole taken away, due to track limits. :-(

[458 Italia]

Revised result:

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

:-s

[wisepie]

Oh FFS, I really thought GIO had finally proved his ability, only to have it taken away. Still, P2/3 is a reasonable starting line-up. Rob is probably running the AF Corse pitwall, it is his birthday!

[Greig]

Do they have BOP in WEC?

[458 Italia]

Do they have BOP in WEC?

Not so much now, all the cars must meet certain specifications however the way teams can reach them is up to them which is why the Hypercars all look different to each other.

[458 Italia]

Damp track, with the field with a mix of tyre choices across the field, both Ferraris went with the safe option and are starting on wets.

The cars on slicks are really struggling on the formation laps!

[458 Italia]

Ferrari 1/2 at the start!!! :ferrarifl

The Toyotas are on slicks and falling back!

[458 Italia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QArU0YliCO8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpjdgbyxiM0

[458 Italia]

Early SC which plays into the hands of the cars on wets and it's now raining again in the pitlane, it's looking really good at this early stage!

[458 Italia]

Damn, it's not wet enough Ferrari need to make a decision quickly!

Lead lost :-s

Car #50 pits for slicks.

I think in hindsight we should've just copied what Toyota did.

#51 pitted the next lap.

[Kyss4k]

This reminds me of our F1 "glory days" of great strategy calls of last seasons. Damn we are losing so much time, slowest on the track basically.

[458 Italia]

This is turning into a nightmare!

The Ferraris are so slow on slicks and have been lapped by most of the Hypercar field. Can't get heat into the tyres.

[458 Italia]

This reminds me of our F1 "glory days" of great strategy calls of last seasons. Damn we are losing so much time, slowest on the track basically.

It's not looking good at all :-(

[458 Italia]

Both cars have started to unlap themselves now.

[458 Italia]

1st hour:

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

[458 Italia]

Both Ferraris are lapping a second quicker a lap than the rest of the Hypercars, second stop coming soon though.

[458 Italia]

Safety Car! Big crash for the #3 Cadillac at the top of eau rouge!

[458 Italia]

We're really struggling to get the temps in the tyres back up.

[458 Italia]

After 2 hours:

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

[458 Italia]

Bad day for #51 it had to come in for a splash of fuel under FCY then come in again the next lap for a full stop, THEN they couldn't get the car up on the air jacks so an extra long stop :-s

[458 Italia]

Now a penalty incoming for #50 for crossing the white line at pit exit. :-(

[Kyss4k]

The tyre heating issue is just insane. The car is super fast once tyres are up the temperature, but until then we are lucky to stay on track

[458 Italia]

The tyre heating issue is just insane. The car is super fast once tyres are up the temperature, but until then we are lucky to stay on track

100%

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/dYhLmS8.png

I hope that's not a penalty for #51 incoming! It really shouldn't be!

Lucky Toyota just pitted before another FCY.

[458 Italia]

Penalty for #50 confirmed.

It's really a shame! there's a really fast car in this Ferrari package it's got race wins in it. There are great signs for the "big one".

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/0Wn9h6Z.png

2 hours left.

[458 Italia]

Both cars are back on the lead lap now. It's lapping 2 to 3 seconds faster than everyone else.

[458 Italia]

Disaster #50 has crashed exiting the pits :-(

Adding insult to injury #51 had to stop under SC so could only short fill.

[458 Italia]

The car is terrible on new cold tyres.

[458 Italia]

Nothing has gone right for AF Corse today.

[458 Italia]

Open the sodding pitlane!

[458 Italia]

Colado does a 2:03.868

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/Zf6KxKt.png

Into the last hour.

[458 Italia]

YES JAMES!!! UP TO 3RD!!!!

[458 Italia]

How it finished:

https://i.imgur.com/sY9Yr8b.png

There's a super fast car in there and had we not been unlucky with SC and FCY we would've been closer to Toyota. There's no way the Ferraris could've started on slicks though as they'd probably been out of the race on lap 1.

[wisepie]

That podium was a hard slog, temperatures and weather played havoc but at least another podium for the team after a very mixed day. Thanks for the updates 458 Italia.

[458 Italia]

:thumb

I know not many really care :lol But there's an amazing story that could be written by Ferrari at Le Mans this year!

I really hope Rob tells us what he's allowed about how AF Corse are feeling going forward!

We have to remember this is the 499P's first year compared to the 3rd year of the Toyota and yet the gap is closing all the time. :-)

[wisepie]

:thumb

I know not many really care :lol But there's an amazing story that could be written by Ferrari at Le Mans this year!

I really hope Rob tells us what he's allowed about how AF Corse are feeling going forward!

We have to remember this is the 499P's first year compared to the 3rd year of the Toyota and yet the gap is closing all the time. :-)

Good point, and after a podium for Charles today in Baku, Ferrari have had a reasonable weekend. Shame about the second 499P but the potential is there!;-)

[458 Italia]

Some good news away from the mess that is the F1 team, #50 Ferrari was fastest in the first session of the Le Mans testing day. :-)

[458 Italia]

Good second session for Ferrari as well as far as fastest lap goes, this time it was #51 which topped the times.

Of course the test day means absolutely nothing, but I just have a FEELING that a Ferrari can really win the 100th running of the 24Hrs of Le Mans. :crazy

[wisepie]

I do wonder whether the F1 team could do with some AF Corse input, they seem to know what they're doing! maybe some resources have been spent on the Hypercar project at the expense of F1? I wish the AF Corse ragazzi every success.

[458 Italia]

Qualifying 1 results:

https://i.imgur.com/jcGL7Vq.png

The top 8 in each class goes through to tomorrows Hyperpole.

[458 Italia]

FP2...

https://i.imgur.com/0iTF6bj.png

[458 Italia]

Fred Vasseur is at Le Mans keep him away! :-D

[458 Italia]

FP3:

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

[wisepie]

Fred Vasseur is at Le Mans keep him away! :-D

He might learn something helpful for the F1 team!:pray

[458 Italia]

He might learn something helpful for the F1 team!:pray

He could probably learn a lot from AF Corse ;-)

Hyperpole is on now, COME ON FERRARI!!! :ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl

[458 Italia]

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf2B_mcsaYw

[458 Italia]

3:22.982 for #50!!!!

[458 Italia]

Session has been red flagged with only 5:13 to go! Cadillac on fire.

[458 Italia]

https://sportshub.fan/event/24_hours_of_le_mans_139813498/

links to watch the final 5 minutes of quali.

[458 Italia]

IT'S A FERRARI 1-2!!!!! :-bounce:-bounce:-bounce:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:ferrarifl:dance:dance:d ance

[Kyss4k]

This was awesome to watch!

[458 Italia]

This was awesome to watch!

So brilliant!

[458 Italia]

https://i.imgur.com/gSMzoN7.png

[458 Italia]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyH9VX2WAAEnrCO?format=jpg&name=large

I love this car :love:love:love