Ferrari Had A Wicked Good Weekend
September 1, 2024, will be remembered as a significant day in Ferrari's racing history, not just for its victories but for the broader implications these wins carry.
In a 24-hour period, Ferrari secured wins in both the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the FIA WEC’s Lone Star Le Mans race at COTA. Charles Leclerc drove a fabulous 1-stop race to stun the pair of McLarens and send the Tifosi on hand at Monza into a state of euphoria. The latter victory was particularly noteworthy as it marked Ferrari’s first time winning in two separate FIA world championships on the same day.
The No. 83 Ferrari 499P’s success at COTA is a milestone in Ferrari's WEC campaign, adding a third Hypercar win for the brand, each achieved by different cars and driver crews. This victory was also the first WEC win for drivers Robert Kubica, Ye Yifei, and Robert Shwartzman, who became the second privately funded Hypercar team to win a race this season after HERTZ Team JOTA conquered Spa earlier this season.
Ferrari's decision to field a third 499P this year was strategic, providing a platform to develop young talents like Yifei and Shwartzman under the guidance of the grizzled veteran, Kubica. Their performance in Lone Star Le Mans, especially after setbacks at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was a clear sign of their growing capabilities. Yifei handled immense pressure during the middle of the race, managing his tires while holding off Toyota’s Nyck de Vries, and Shwartzman displayed exceptional consistency in the final stints to secure the win.
Ferrari currently sits third in the WEC manufacturer's standings, just 19 points down on leading Toyota, and a mere 8 points behind Porsche with two races remaining. It's a similar story in Formula 1 with the Scuderia also sitting third in the constructor's championship, just 39 points shy of first place Red Bull, and 31 back of a hard-charging McLaren with 8 race weekends remaining.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the cut-throat world of IndyCar.
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