One Ferrari the boss, the other a zero at the 6 Hours of Imola
The great favourites of this Italian weekend, the Ferraris produced a mixed race. The #51 lived up to expectations. The #50 spoiled its comeback with less than an hour to go. And the #83 disappointed.
We expected more from Ferrari. Unbeatable since the start of the season, the 499Ps once again performed at Imola. In every session, a prancing horse car occupied the top spot. If we overlook the mistakes of the #50 in qualifying, the Scuderia excelled.
Performances that could have hinted at some domination. This more or less happened. The #51 led the race, except at times when it let its competitors take the lead on a different strategy. The #83, long in second place, dropped down the rankings in the last third and salvaged its race with a fourth-place finish.
Finally, the #50, which could easily be placed on the podium given its pace and what it produced for nearly five hours, ruined everything in the money time. Battling with Sébastien Buemi’s Toyota, Antonio Fuoco got a flat tire after an avoidable action.
See also: 6 Hours of Imola – Race: Ferrari #51 played a perfect role
While she could have delivered the best race on the track, this Ferrari #50 ruined everything in the final moments and cost the Italian firm significant points.
The positive point of the Scuderia’s home weekend remains the victory of the #51. With this result, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi have given the Prancing Horse brand its first overall victory on Italian soil in 52 years – the last time dating back to 1973, when Brian Redman and Jacky Ickx triumphed in the 1,000 kilometers of Monza driving the Ferrari 312 PB.
With a 39-point lead in the championship over BMW, Ferrari can approach the rest of the competition more calmly. However, they must not let their guard down. The upcoming weekend at Spa promises to be more challenging.
