Comments ahead of the 6 Hours of Imola

The 499Ps return to the spotlight of the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 6 Hours of Imola, the second round of the 2025 season, scheduled for Sunday, 20 April at the Italian circuit. Here are the comments from the Ferrari – AF Corse team in the run-up to the race, which gets underway at 1 p.m. (local time).

Antonio Fuoco, 499P #50: “After the first race in Qatar, where we showed great potential, the feeling ahead of the 6 Hours of Imola is positive. In 2024, we performed well at the Italian circuit, and the 499P always had a good rapport with the track. I hope we can enjoy an error-free weekend where we can really show our worth. Racing in Italy with Ferrari always brings extra motivation for an Italian driver: we’ll do our best to bring joy to the fans, whose support will be crucial.”

Miguel Molina, 499P #50: “We’ll be back on the track at Imola for one of the most important races of the whole season. Morale is high after our result in Lusail, and we’ll tackle the race weekend with the same spirit – maximum focus and determination. We have a chance to do well at Imola too and continue to play a leading role in the chase for the world championship.”

Nicklas Nielsen, 499P #50: “We approach the 6 Hours of Imola with optimism after a great start to the season in Qatar, where Miguel, Antonio and I claimed victory and Ferrari secured a historic one-two-three. Racing in Italy is always something special for a driver at the wheel of a Ferrari: I expect a fantastic atmosphere and, even though we know the race will be challenging, we’ll do all we can to put a smile on the faces of our fans.”

Alessandro Pier Guidi, 499P #51: “Our aim at Imola is to put in a strong performance in front of the Italian crowd. I hope to repeat last year’s showing, when we were very competitive here, but with a better result in the race. After our excellent debut in Qatar, we’ll try to climb the podium again and bring joy to our fans. The track? It’s a pleasure to drive, but you need maximum focus over all six hours, especially when it comes to managing overtakes and lapping.”

James Calado, 499P #51: “The Italian round of the FIA WEC always has something special for all of us racing with Ferrari. I’m sure this 6 Hours of Imola will be no exception. The championship got off to the best possible start, and in the weeks between Qatar and Italy we’ve been working flat out with the goal of continuing to show our full potential.”

Antonio Giovinazzi, 499P #51: “We’re finally racing in Italy, a long-awaited moment for us and the fans, whose support will spur us on. We’re fully aware of the strength of our team and our car, and we’ll do our best to deliver a memorable performance for all of them. That said, the 6 Hours of Imola won’t be easy – both because of the technical nature of the track, which makes overtaking difficult, and the high level of competition in this championship. Our expectations are high, and we hope to play a major role in a great race.”

Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti: “We head to Imola in a different position compared to last year: thanks to the points secured in Qatar, where we achieved an extraordinary one-two-three finish with the 499Ps, we are leading the standings in both the world Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ championships, with the number 50 and 51 Ferrari crews, and we’re also top of the standings reserved for independent teams with the number 83 car. At the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari – a historic track that has a deep-rooted connection with our company – we’re hoping to confirm the competitiveness we showed in 2024. As ever, we’re expecting a strong crowd presence at the 6 Hours of Imola, and the team will do everything possible to give our fans a weekend full of emotion.”

Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Ferrari Endurance Race Cars: “Expectations for our home race are very high, and although we know it won’t be an easy task, the team has no intention of letting the fans down. In 2024, the Ferrari 499P demonstrated its full potential at Imola thanks to the excellent work done in the simulator and pre-race testing to develop a set-up tailored to this specific circuit. This year we’re starting from a solid base, also taking into account the improvements in brake cooling introduced with the joker in 2024 and the developments carried out over the winter break. We know that won’t be enough to bring home the result we’re aiming for – we still remember the mistakes that cost us victory last year. Preparation, focus, attention to detail and team spirit will therefore be essential to replicate the excellent performance seen in Qatar and take on an ever-stronger and more competitive field.”