Ferrari Dominates Qatar WEC Round with Historic Victory and Podium Sweep
Ferrari’s No. 50 499P won the Qatar 1812km, marking a historic overall podium sweep. The race featured challenges for teams like Porsche and Alpine, while Corvette secured an important win in LMGT3. The event’s strategy and performance highlights set the stage for the next WEC round at Imola.
The FIA World Endurance Championship’s Qatar round saw the No. 50 Ferrari 499P clinch victory, marking Ferrari’s fourth outright win in this series and a historical first for a factory car outside Le Mans. Drivers Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina celebrated their second win together, solidifying their team’s success after a previous win at La Sarthe.
Ferrari dominated the race, with the No. 83 AF Corse finishing second and the No. 51 car coming in third, accomplishing the first-ever overall podium sweep for Ferrari and only the second in the Hypercar era. The team led 309 out of 318 laps, showcasing their performance while Cadillac and Toyota led a combined nine laps.
This marked Ferrari’s first overall sweep in a major sports car endurance race since 1972. James Calado expressed surprise at the No. 51 Ferrari’s recovery to third place despite penalties affecting their position earlier in the race, emphasizing their pace for a comeback at Imola.
With a strong showing, Ferrari earned 66 points in the manufacturers’ standings, leading BMW by 31 points after their fourth and seventh-place finishes. They currently hold the top position in the Hypercar manufacturers’ category for the first time since the 499P project began.
Kevin Magnussen viewed fourth place on his WEC debut with BMW as satisfactory, appreciating the overall progress made since last year. Despite trailing three Ferraris, he noted the day was a positive step forward.
Porsche LMDh director Urs Kuratle conceded that Ferrari was in a different league at Qatar, as the Porsche Penske Motorsport team faced issues, resulting in their worst results in the Hypercar era. The No. 5 Porsche experienced a puncture, while the sister car struggled with a rear deck change.
Alpine also faced challenges, finishing without points, with Mick Schumacher noting performance drops in cooler conditions and calling for a deeper analysis of their struggles.
Aston Martin showed promise with its Valkyrie debut, delivering competitive lap times despite common teething issues associated with a new racing program. The team remains optimistic for future races as they adapt.
Corvette achieved a significant milestone, winning for the fifth different manufacturer in LMGT3. The TF Sport drivers celebrated first-time victories, while McLaren and Lexus marked their best finishes to date, with the latter leading 97 laps before penalties hindered their performance.
Augusto Farfus reflected on Team WRT’s unexpected podium finish using strategy and efficient racing to maximize their performance. The Aston Martin customer team Racing Spirit of Leman managed to secure points despite challenging conditions.
Iron Lynx’s race deteriorated with retirement due to brake issues and clutch problems, while United Autosports’ Sean Gelael was awarded the Goodyear Wingfoot Award based on fan votes rather than performance.
Despite multiple safety car periods that shortened the race by 17 laps, anticipation builds for the next round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at the 6 Hours of Imola set for April 18-20.
The Qatar round of the FIA World Endurance Championship delivered a historic win for Ferrari, highlighting their dominance in the current season. Teams faced various challenges, yet significant performances emerged, particularly from Corvette and Aston Martin. The importance of strategy and adaptability was evident across all manufacturers, paving the way for upcoming races and the continuing evolution of endurance racing.
Original Source: sportscar365.com
