VIDEO – The Ferrari 499P n°51 loses its rear wing at the 1812 km of Qatar!

Stupor at the 1812 km of Qatar, opening round of the WEC 2024. While the race had been launched for 97 minutes and the first strategies were being put in place, the Ferrari 499P n°51, that of the winners of the Centenary of 24 Hours of Le Mans, lost its entire rear wing.

It was thought for a moment that the appendix had come loose on its own, but it quickly became apparent that the incident followed contact with the McLaren #59 of United Autosports driven by James Cottingham.

It was another James, Calado, who was driving the #51. The Briton managed to return to the pits without incident to receive a new rear wing.

The race direction logically triggered a Full Course Yellow, time to remove the appendix that had fallen a little earlier.

The No. 51 was able to return to the track and the proceedings took their natural course after a brief neutralization. However, she received a warning after an investigation by the commissioners.

More generally, the start of the race proved frustrating for the official 499Ps. Author of a superb start to take control at the start, the No. 50 then received a drive-through for crossing the pit line at the exit of the pit lane.

Trouble for the No.51 @FerrariHypercar after contact with the McLaren United Autosports.

The Ferrari 499P lost the rear wing on the track which has been collected by the marshals.

Watch LIVE on https://t.co/B3OAfJ9by7#WEC #Qatar1812KM pic.twitter.com/Jc3wsPKtyd

— FIA World Endurance Championship (@FIAWEC) March 2, 2024