Antonello Coletta: “A result as high as our experience is low! »

More than satisfied with the historic first line signed by the 499Ps from Maranello, the manager of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT remains realistic about the difficulties that the team will have to face over the next 24 hours.

Published on 09/06/2023 à 16:00

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Antonello Coletta: “A result as high as our experience is low! »

The smiles were out at Ferrari after the Hyperpole. ©Ferrari

“An incredible moment!” » Installed on a sofa in a hospitality corner Ferrari, Antonello Coletta debriefs with a handful of journalists on the evening of the successful Hyperpole by Antonio Fuoco. The pressure is starting to drop for the Italian manager who has just experienced some intense moments. “After 50 years of absence and only a few months of work, getting the front row of the most important race in the world is…”, he tries to explain without being able to finish his sentence. “We savor the moment,” he corrects himself. The work carried out at all technical, operational and logistical levels is truly impressive. Like that of our pilots of whom I am very proud. »

Ferrari warns: “Toyota remains the team to beat”

If the Italian manager allows himself a few minutes of well-deserved satisfaction, it's because he knows that the hardest part is yet to come. “Our car is very consistent, but this first row is the first step of a very long road until Sunday 16 p.m. We savor the moment but we prepare for the fight: Toyota remains the team to beat, and the others are not far away. We think we can have a good race but Toyota has been at Le Mans for years. Our quality score is as high as our experience is low. We started in July 2022, let's not forget. We did an incredible job but in a 24 Hour race, the key is reliability. » And the latter has not been flawless since the start of the season, especially in Portimao. “A brake problem linked to an electronic component,” explains the boss. I hope it is resolved. »

The same goes for tire management which was not optimal. “It is clear that our knowledge of tires is lessHe says. At Sebring, we were not able to manage them well, a little better at Portimao… Here, the challenge will be during the night with the temperature dropping. The strategy will be important and, again, it will be a first time for us. We are preparing as best we can, and there is nothing more we can do. The new rule governing the Safety Car also changes the situation compared to previous editions…”

Cautious, Antonello Coletta is aiming for the podium for his men. An already ambitious objective even if, deep down, he must hope for more. " We will see… ".

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