With home advantage, can Ferrari get back into the game at Imola?

After June 15 and 16, 2024, dates of 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, the date of April 21 is certainly the most anticipated by Ferrari in the World ChampionshipEndurance. The Italian manufacturer will play at home, and that is far from being an understatement since this year, it is on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari that the 6H of Imola, second round of the WEC this season. The Prancing Horse will race on its land, where the 499P made its first laps in front of the general public during the Finali Mondiali, in October 2022.

In Emilia-Romagna, a few kilometers from the Maranello factories, Ferrari hopes to be able to launch its season after the false start in Qatar. If the “semi-private” Hypercar from AF Corse had saved the honor for the Italian manufacturer with a 4th place, the two official mounts had suffered and had never fought for the podium at Losail (6th for the no. 50, 12th for No. 51). At Imola, the Reds will try to reassure themselves, first of all, and get back into the fight for victory.

“After the grueling and difficult tests in Qatar, where we fought for distant positions, we want to catch up and return to the fight for the podium in Imola”, says Ferdinando Cannizzo, Ferrari Endurance technical director. However, even on its circuit, the trans teamalpine knows that the challenge awaiting him is great, as the circuit is technical, uncompromising... and narrow. Far from being ideal for managing traffic…

Slight advantage for Ferrari?

“We know that the layout and characteristics of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, quite demanding in terms of mechanics, suspensions and brakes in particular, will require specific adjustments and that the definition of the strategy will certainly be complex, particularly in due to the large number of overruns which will be far from obvious », explains the Italian engineer.

“We therefore paid particular attention to the preparation for this race during the usual simulator sessions in Maranello, also benefiting from two tests on the track, in Portimão and at Paul-Ricard, where the engineers, mechanics and drivers were able to train and experiment with the optimal settings suggested by the simulationshe adds. We are confident that we can have a good race, hoping that a sea of ​​red flags bearing the image of the prancing horse will wave at the end of the race under the podium. »

The Italian drivers will also be keen to shine in front of the fans who will undoubtedly come in large numbers to Imola. Last year, at Monza, Ferrari was able to experience a beautiful communion with its fans by obtaining a podium in the Temple of Speed. A single watchword this weekend: repeat this performance… or even better.

“We will not race in front of our fans in the middle of the summer, like last year at Monza, after the victory at Le Mans, but in the second round of the season. I think there will be a lot of people in the stands, and thinking of the fans, we will aim to give them an excellent result after our difficult start in Qatar, hopes Alessandro Pier Guidi. Imola is one of the best circuits to drive, with an alternation of fast corners and very slow corners. I really enjoy this variety, as well as the fact that the trail has continuous ups and downs. There will be a lot of cars on the track and heavy traffic, so good qualifying will be crucial. »

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