8H. of California – Ferrari back to victory in IGTC

Taiwanese HubAuto Corsa team ended a long wait for Ferrari in Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), Saturday March 30 in Laguna Seca (California). By winning the 8 Hours of California, Nick Foster, Miguel Molina and Tim Slade brought the Prancing Horse back to the top step of the podium for the first time since the 12 Bathurst 2017 Hours. 

You can't beat that winning feeling!

Congratulations to @FerrariRaces, HubAuto Corsa, @nickfoster13, @_timslade_ and @MiguelMolinaM2:

2019 #Cal8H WINNERS! pic.twitter.com/GMOT3jEKJb

— Intercontinental GT Challenge (@IntercontGTC) March 31, 2019

For what was only its second appearance in IGTC, HubAuto Corsa quickly led the leading group. Second at the time of the first pit stops, Miguel Molina then left it to the Australian duo Nick Foster-Tim Slade to take the lead and keep it despite a gun problem during a pit stop.

Starting only 10th, Raffaele Marciello, Maximilian Buhk and Maximilian Goetz (Mercedes) courageously moved up to second place and took the lead in the general classification. The French Romain Dumas and Mathieu Jaminet complete the podium with Sven Müller (Porsche), after being the biggest threat to the Ferrari F488 GT3. 

Curiously, no neutralization punctuated the endurance race. The first Audi finished fourth with Dries Vanthoor, Christopher Haase and Frédéric Vervisch. No Bentley scores a point (11th and retirement). No joy either for the outgoing champion Tristan Vautier (Mercedes), forced to retire due to a power steering failure.

Winners at Bathurst this winter, Dirk Werner, Dennis Olsen and Matt Campbell (Porsche) did not see the checkered flag due to a faulty gearbox. The Honda NSX GT3 EVO, starting from pole position, finished 13th after mechanical problems.

>>IGTC 8h results. of California 2019<

Find it in AUTO issue 2210hebdo the report of the IGTC at Laguna Seca, available Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.