Wec Imola, the Ferrari drivers: “It’s essential to start from the front, it will be hard to warm up the tyres”

Alessandro Follis

April 20 – 6.05pm – IMOLA (BO)

L’Imola Autodrome it is the scene of the second seasonal event of the World Endurance Championship, after the 1,812 km of Qatar. Ferrari returns as a protagonist on the Emilian track with the two official 499Ps and with the third car fielded by AF Corse, which was the best in the opening round, finishing in fourth place. “Imola is one of the most fun tracks to drive on, but also one of the most difficult to race on,” he said Alessandro Pier Guidiwho is part of the crew of car #51 with James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi. “There are very few points for overtaking and lapping will be complicated, so qualifying is fundamental. We expect a lot of neutralizations due to the changes to the track, with sand everywhere”, she added.

Unknown weather

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The weather forecast for the Imola weekend is uncertain, with rain falling on the track on Thursday and giving way to sunshine on Friday. They are scheduled for the race variable conditions and relatively cold temperatures. “As mentioned, qualifying is extremely important here, you have to start in the first two-three rows. Recovering on a track of this type is very difficult”, added Pier Guidi. The Piedmontese driver then explained that, unlike Qatar, Tire degradation will not be a factor. “I don’t expect it to be particularly important, also because Michelin brought it here medium and hard compound, which considering the energy level of the track was a surprise for us. On the contrary, given the low temperatures and the absence of tyrewarmers it will be very difficult to warm up the tires exiting the pits and this could cause accidents and off-track runs,” he continued.

Strategic race

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After the sixth place obtained in Qatar there is optimism instead Antonio Fuoco, who shares the cockpit of car #50 with Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen and scored the pole position. “We are well prepared. I believe that our strong point is the confidence accumulated with the car which allows us to reach the limit”, explained the Calabrian driver. “Here it will be more difficult to bring the tires up to temperature compared to Qatar”, he confirmed, explaining that the uncertain conditions and the risk of a safety car will lead to a race where strategy will be essential to emerge in command. Speaking of opponents, there are many who can compete for top positions: “Porsche has taken a big step forward compared to last year. Peugeot instead brings a new car, it’s difficult to understand where it can be”, he concluded.

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Home circuit

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The Imola track is named after Enzo and Dino Ferraria further push to do well for the Reds, as explained by the Ferrari AF Corse team manager Beat Pregliasco. “We play at home and this circuit represents an extension of our factory in Maranello,” she declared. “At the end of last season we managed to have a precise idea of ​​the behavior of our car on all types of track, from the fast to the slowest ones. As soon as the race is over we will work to acquire information on this circuit too, which is new for us at a racing level”, he concluded.