Ferrari puts things into perspective before the 6 Hours of Imola: "The car is the same as it was a year ago"

On paper, everything seems to be going well for Classic Ferrari for sale at the start of this week in Imola. After a Prologue that ended with a resounding 1-2-3 finish, the first session confirmed the competitiveness of the 499P, with another 1-2-3 finish for the Italian Hypercar in FP1 — the AF Corse #83 leading ahead of the Ferraris #50 and #51. A flattering hierarchy, but one that the main players refused to overinterpret before the start of the weekend.

Alessandro Pier Guidi, who drives in car #51 with Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado, immediately tempers expectations: “We certainly look very strong, but we still consider ourselves not the favorites for the weekend. Because we've seen some data, we've seen the performance of the other manufacturers, and we still think we're not necessarily the ones who will be beaten.” This deliberate caution is largely explained by the context of the Prologue. Changing track conditions, different programs for each team, and a lack of visibility on fuel loads or tire strategies: all these factors make it difficult to interpret performance.

Miguel Molina, who accompanies Nicklas Nielsen and Antonio Fuoco in issue #50, offers a similar analysis: “Everyone followed a different program. We don’t know what the others did. The pace is completely different. Of course, being immediately fast is positive – it’s better than being slow – but it doesn’t mean anything.” In this relative uncertainty, free practice and especially qualifying should offer a more accurate first glimpse of the true pecking order. But for now, Ferrari is keeping its cards close to its chest.

A consistent car, but measured evolution

If Ferrari is being cautious in its ambitions, it's also because the 2026 version of the 499P represents a form of continuity. Unlike some competitors who have introduced more significant changes, the Italian brand has chosen to capitalize on an already high-performing platform. Miguel Molina confirms this stability: “I don’t think we’ve made any progress. The car is the same as it was a year ago, in terms of feel and handling. In fact, it was already good here last year – it was probably one of the circuits where it performed well.” One characteristic that could explain the immediate competitiveness observed at Imola, a circuit where the 499P seems particularly at ease.

The Spanish driver even offered a technical explanation: "It's probably because our car handles corners quite well, and we manage bumps better. I think that's the main explanation." For his part, Alessandro Pier Guidi emphasizes the overall coherence of the package: "The car is still performing well. I'm not sure if this is a circuit where you really notice it, but so far, based on what we've tested, we're quite happy with the changes." But this technical continuity also raises a question: can Ferrari withstand competitors who have evolved more significantly? Molina makes no secret of his expectations: "I honestly expect the others to be stronger. When we make an improvement, it's to achieve better performance."

New tires and evolving race settings

Among the key elements of this early season is the introduction of the new Michelin tires, which slightly alter the drivers' benchmarks. While the changes aren't radical, they nonetheless bring significant adjustments, particularly during the warm-up phases. Alessandro Pier Guidi explains: "We felt a difference, especially in the warm-up. That was precisely the goal of the new tires: to make things a little easier for us. And above all, I think it's safer."

A sentiment shared by Miguel Molina, who nevertheless qualifies their performance: "The new tires aren't as good as the old ones in terms of pure performance, but they're better in the warm-up. We still need to understand them better, as we haven't done many kilometers with the new compound." This learning phase could play a decisive role in the first races of the season, especially since some competitors already have more experience thanks to their commitments in IMSA.

Beyond the technical aspects, all eyes are on one key element of the weekend: qualifying. On a narrow and twisty circuit like Imola, grid position could determine the entire race. Alessandro Pier Guidi leaves no room for doubt: "That's the key to the weekend. Endurance racing is increasingly becoming a kind of long sprint. If you're not at the front, it's very difficult, because there could be a yellow flag, a virtual safety car, or something else working against you." This reality is amplified by the difficulty of overtaking on this track, especially in the early laps. The Italian driver reflects on these often decisive phases: “We didn’t really have a choice: we just had to keep going. So there wasn’t really any fuel management at the beginning. […] The first stints were quite risky, but that’s what we had to do to try and score points.”

In this context, the ability to position themselves at the front immediately could make all the difference, in a discipline where even the slightest safety car period can reshuffle the deck. Ferrari therefore approaches the 6 Hours of Imola in a delicate balancing act. Solid in its fundamentals, competitive on a circuit that suits it, the Scuderia remains cautious in the face of competition it knows is improving. One thing is certain: while the signs are positive, the final verdict on the track remains to be seen.

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