The two Ferrari 499Ps concluded qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the front row. Antonio Fuoco and Alessandro Pier Guidi starred in the timed session, claiming first and second place, respectively, with the 499Ps number 50 and 51. The Prancing Horse Hypercar crews thus qualified for the Hyperpole, which will run on the evening of Thursday, 8 June, featuring the eight best cars in each class participating in round four of the FIA WEC.
Two red flags following some accidents interrupted the first half of the sixty-minute qualifying session, held late afternoon on a dry track. The Ferraris improved their lap times over the last 25 minutes. Antonio Fuoco proved the fastest at this stage with 3’25”213 in the 499P shared with Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen.
Pier Guidi, at the wheel of the 499P number 51, was just 0”199 behind. The three-time world champion in the LMGTE Pro class, competing in the World Endurance Championship with James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, posted a best time of 3’25”412, leaving the 39-year-old driver 0”073 ahead of the number 7 Toyota, third at the chequered flag.
After a second free practice session late on Wednesday evening, the programme at the La Sarthe circuit will include Free Practice 3 on Thursday, 8 June, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Hyperpole to decide the starting grid, from 8 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and a fourth free practice session from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. The centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will set off on Saturday, 10 June, at 4 p.m. (all times are local).