6 Hours of Bahrain – Porsche versus Ferrari: duel for the GTE Pro title

As the last two races of the season present themselves, the WEC is looking for its champion in LMGTE Pro. Two crews are competing for the Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles at the start of this double round in the desert. Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado, already crowned world champions in Sakhir in 2017, have 124 points with their Ferrari 488 GTE EVO numéro 51 d’AF Corse. Kévin Estre et Neel Jani sont en embuscade avec 112 unités et espèrent renverser la tendance au volant de la Porsche 911 RSR – 19. Alors que quatre courses ont été disputées jusqu’à présent, les deux équipages ont chacun remporté 50% de victoire.

On asphalt overheated by the incessant heat, tire degradation will be an important factor for this penultimate round. “It’s going to be a very difficult race, believes Neel Jani. Car we are not going to ride at night, but during the day. I did a stint in Free Practice 3. At first it was okay, but then it's like riding on eggshells and it becomes difficult not to overdrive. It's also quite hot in the car. We will prepare as best we can, because we are better when the temperature drops. » The 8 Hours, Saturday November 6, could thus prove more favorable to the German firm. 

The BoP contested by AF Corse

Another important factor to take into account in this duel: the Balance of Performance. AF Corse was thus penalized. The Ferrari 488 GTE EVO has had its fuel capacity reduced by 4 liters to 89, on a circuit where more than half the distance is done at full throttle. “I love winning and losing track races, but this decision, although legitimate, seems very questionable to me, judge Alessandro Pier Guidi. We are not in a position to fight to defend our leadership so I don't think it's very fair. However, we are not the type to give up easily, so we will do our best to win the titles”. In the first two Free Practice sessions, the championship leaders were more than two seconds behind the best time set by their pursuers. Does the BoP penalize cars that much? Prancing Horse on this track or is it a simple bluff on the part of AF Corse? 

The qualifications seem to have provided the beginnings of an answer. Kévin Estre took pole position in 1:56.144, relegating Pier Guidi to more than a second. Only fourth will the Italian-British duo be able to get back into the race? Response this Saturday, from 10 a.m. (French time).

Also read > 6H of Bahrain – Qualifying: Hartley places Toyota in pole position