At the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Ferrari win their second consecutive world title. For the Maranello company, the date of Saturday, November 12, is destined to go down in history. Here are the voices gathered in the paddock at the Sakhir circuit.
Antonello Coletta: “We are really delighted with another great victory, with two world titles that will add to our already extensive trophy cabinet at Maranello. It was the best possible conclusion to the LMGTE Pro series, a category in which we have been leading players with the most wins and great performances from our drivers and cars. Again today, apart from the technical problem we had with the 51, we also dominated this race. It was a great team victory, as always. Molina and Fuoco’s first FIA WEC win is a fitting reward for a crew that had a fantastic season, just missing out on second place in the championship standings and performing at the highest level. Pier Guidi and Calado’s third title is a testament to their talent. We are privileged to have crews that work well together, and the results prove it”.
James Calado: “It was a race packed with conflicting emotions. When I returned to the pits, aware of the gearbox problem, I was distraught. Then when Alessandro stepped onboard and drove an hour and a half in fifth gear, time seemed to stand still. It’s fantastic to have won our third world title and to retain the constructors’ title, an honour for the entire team. I am overjoyed for everyone because of our great work at Maranello and on the track”.
Alessandro Pier Guidi: “I don’t know how to describe my feelings during this race. When I climbed into the car for the last stint, I didn’t know if I’d make it to the end. I wanted to get the car to the finish. When I finally saw the chequered flag, it was like glimpsing an oasis in the desert. I think the key to winning this year was our ability to optimise each race without leaving a single point behind on the table, and this determination was the basis of this victory. We thank the entire Ferrari team”.
Antonio Fuoco: “I am delighted with the result, our first victory in the World Endurance Championship, and for the whole team, whom I want to congratulate because they did a tremendous job throughout the season”.
Miguel Molina: “We ran a great race displaying good pace and managing the tyres well, unquestionably a strong point of our 488 GTE. I am happy not only to have climbed the top step of the podium for the first time in the WEC but, above all, to have contributed to a second straight constructors’ title. We did a great job”.