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    Ferrari Hypercar

    6 Hours of Imola

    21 April 2024

    2024 RACE REVIEW

    The 6 Hours of Imola, the second round of the FIA WEC 2024, concluded with AF Corse’s Ferrari 499P number 83 securing victory in the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams. Official Prancing Horse drivers Robert Shwartzman and Yifei Ye, partnered by Robert Kubica, took eighth place overall. In front of 73,600 spectators who attended the Italian event over the three days, the two official Ferrari – AF Corse team Hypercars, which put in convincing performances in the first half of the race, finished fourth and seventh.
    Track Temp27.60ºCHour 1
    Air Temp17.30ºCHour 1
    Track Temp13.50ºCHour 6
    Air Temp12.00ºCHour 6
    Position - 4
    Gap from leader - 31.469
    Position - 7
    Gap from leader - 1 Lap
    Position - 8
    Gap from leader - 1 Lap
    • Ferrari - AF Corse#50A. FUOCO / M. MOLINA / N. NIELSEN
    • Race Result4
    • Fastest Lap1:31.794
    • Pit Stop7
    • Laps205
    • Total time6:01:06.186
    • Gap from leader31.469
    AVERAGE SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    AVERAGE SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    • Ferrari - AF Corse#51A. PIER GUIDI / J. CALADO / A. GIOVINAZZI
    • Race Result7
    • Fastest Lap1:32.515
    • Pit Stop8
    • Laps204
    • Total time6:01:01.608
    • Gap from leader1 LAP
    AVG SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    AVG SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    “
    The result at the end of the 6 Hours of Imola was not as expected,
    considering the great potential displayed by our 499Ps in the preceding days. When the rain came, the race was affected by the mistake of not varying the strategies among our three cars that had led up to that point. The disappointment is compounded by the regret of not delivering the deserved joy to the many fans who came to Imola and once again showed their immense affection for Ferrari and their passion for our involvement in the top endurance class. Among the positive highlights, I want to emphasise AF Corse’s success among the independent teams, with a first victory for the 499P number 83 in its second appearance in the championship.
    Antonello Coletta
    Global Head of Endurance and Corse Clienti
    “
    We conclude the 6 Hours of Imola with regret about the result,
    as we had the potential to secure overall podium positions, having led the race for nearly four hours. We know that the Ferrari 499P’s performance on slick tyres is excellent in damp track conditions, and even in the wet at the start, it was pretty good, so we tried to extend the lead over our competitors. However, in the end, misjudging the weather forecast, we made a late call that compromised the overall result. In the finale the number 50 499P delivered an outstanding stint in wet track conditions with slick tyres, while the number 83 Ferrari secured an impressive class win, undoubtedly a positive aspect of the race. There is still much work ahead, and as always, we will approach it with humility, working to regain competitiveness at Spa.
    Ferdinando Cannizzo
    Head of Endurance Race Cars
    “
    The race showed promise at the start, with a strong pace in the opening hours.
    However, the weather changed, and we could not finish the 6 Hours of Imola as we’d liked. At the end of the day, we can’t be entirely satisfied. We’ll aim to gather valuable insights from this race to improve our performance and return determined to do our best as of the next race at Spa.
    Nicklas Nielsen
    499P #50 driver
    “
    Unfortunately, we’re commenting on a final result that doesn’t reflect the potential of our cars.
    Finishing off the podium in front of the many fans who supported us here at Imola is disappointing. We made an excellent start and managed the first half of the race well. We understand the nature of motorsport, where joy can sometimes swiftly turn into disappointment. So, we leave Imola aware of our potential and recognise the need to continue improving. We’re already looking ahead to the next event at Spa in May, aiming to achieve a strong result.
    Alessandro Pier Guidi
    499P #51 driver
    “
    I am delighted to have achieved a class victory here at Imola
    in front of so many fans who showed all their passion for Ferrari. Overall, we were highly competitive throughout the weekend, both in practice and qualifying, and we were satisfied with our front-row position for the start of the 6 Hours. In the race, the variable weather, transitioning from dry to rainy in the middle portion, did us no favours. It’s unfortunate because we could have achieved a better overall placing otherwise.
    Robert Shwartzman
    499P #83 driver

    COVER ART BY ANDREA CUCCHI

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      In 1970 it was decided to name the circuit after Dino Ferrari, in memory of Enzo Ferrari’s late son. When Enzo Ferrari passed away in 1988, as a tangible display of the affection and gratitude felt by Imola for the engineer, the circuit was renamed and has been known as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari ever since.
      The turns of the Imola track hold a rich, often dramatic history, making the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari unique in the world: Piratella, Tosa, Acque Minerali, Gresini, Rivazza and the Tamburello and Villeneuve curves.
      The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is located near Imola, a city in Emilia Romagna in a hilly area of the Bologna province.

      It is also known as Imola or the Santerno circuit, named after the river that flows nearby.

      Officially opened in 1953, with the moniker 'Autodromo Prototipo Coni', in 1970 it was renamed Dino Ferrari, in memory of Enzo Ferrari’s late son, whose own name would be subsequently added.

      Initially known as a motorcycle racing venue, Imola gained international status in 1979 with the establishment of the Formula 1 ‘Dino Ferrari Grand Prix’ (Gran Premio Dino Ferrari). In 1980 it became the 'Italian Grand Prix', while from the following year until 2006 it would be known as the 'San Marino Grand Prix'. A hiatus followed, with no more single-seaters until 2020, when Imola returned to host the 'Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix' (Gran Premio dell'Emilia-Romagna). In addition to Formula 1, the venue stages various endurance, GT and other single-seater series races.

      Imola is universally recognised as a very technical track, with fairly demanding braking into turns and acceleration into straights. The 4,909-metres course, featuring 12 left-hand and 9 right-hand bends, has, since its inception, been considered a mini Nürburgring.

      Following the sad events of 1994, with the death of the two drivers Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, the track underwent major modifications, slowing down some of the more excessively dangerous sections. In 2006, the circuit and its adjoining facilities were the subject of a redevelopment project by the renowned German architect Hermann Tilke, a specialist in motor racing circuit construction.

      499P is the name of the Le Mans Hypercar with which Ferrari has taken on the top class of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship since the 2023 season – a name evoking the history of the Maranello manufacturer.

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