The Ferrari 499P of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen finished second at the 6 Hours of Portimão, the first European round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The sixth place of the other Prancing Horse Hypercar, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi, rounded off the weekend. Ferrari said goodbye to Portugal after achieving the target of finishing with both cars entered in the top class.
The race took place in dry conditions and temperatures of over 27°C. The number 50 car was consistently at the top of the standings, with the Danish driver taking the first stint at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Molina consolidated second place in the middle section before handing the wheel to his Italian teammate, who crossed the chequered flag one lap behind the number 8 Toyota.
However, early on, their Ferrari – AF Corse teammates in the other 499P were affected by a glitch in the brake-by-wire system. Despite the intervention of the mechanics in the pit, two hours and twenty minutes into the race, a problem with the braking system on the front axle slowed the pace of the car that the three-time world champions Pier Guidi and Calado shared with Giovinazzi. This cut short a comeback that had lifted the trio to third in the final stages. The no 51 drivers’ skill in handling the car allowed them to complete the race and come away with eight points.
Ferrari leaves Portimão with a second podium finish in two races after a third place at Sebring. The World Championship will return to the spotlight on 29 April with the 6 Hours of Spa in Belgium.