Ferrari is optimistic about its prospects in the 2024 World Endurance Championship after securing its first victory of the season at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Prior to this notable win, Ferrari had only achieved a single podium finish, with Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen finishing third at Spa in the #50 499P.
This limited success had left the #50 team fifth in the drivers’ standings, trailing the championship-leading Porsche trio of Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre, and Andre Lotterer by 34 points. Ferrari also lagged behind Porsche and Toyota in the manufacturers’ standings.
However, Ferrari made a significant comeback at Le Mans, the season’s most prestigious event. Fuoco, Molina, and Nielsen clinched a remarkable win from fourth on the grid, while Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi secured a third-place finish in the #51 car.
This success has propelled the #50 team to second place in the drivers’ championship, just nine points behind the leading #6 crew. Ferrari is also now only nine points behind Porsche in the manufacturers’ standings.
Antonello Coletta, Ferrari’s sportscar racing chief, called the double-points win at Le Mans a pivotal moment in their championship campaign. He acknowledged that they had lost crucial points at Imola and Spa, which could have resulted in three victories before Le Mans. Despite having only one win, it is arguably the most significant.
Looking ahead, Coletta emphasized the challenges of upcoming races, particularly the need to quickly move past their Le Mans victory and focus on the next race in Brazil. He noted that the Interlagos track is tough, and Ferrari must maintain the high performance seen at Le Mans, Spa, and Imola to stay competitive in the championship.
