Antonello Coletta: We mustn’t lower our guard

In the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar, Ferrari achieved a remarkable feat that the legendary Italian manufacturer had not done since 25 June, 1972. On that day, a triumvirate of Ferrari 312 PBs, driven by Jacky Ickx, Brian Redman, Helmut Marko, Carlos Pace, Tim Schenken and Ronnie Peterson secured a podium hat-trick at the 1000km Österreichring in Austria.

Almost 53 years later, Ferrari once again applied its very own version of the rule of three in the premier category of endurance racing. “We were aware of our potential and knew we could compete for a strong result,” Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti, tells fiawec.com. “Although frankly, on the eve of the race, it would have been difficult to predict a one-two-three finish.”

At the wheel of the #50 499P Hypercar, Antonio Fuoco took the chequered flag a handful of seconds ahead of Robert Kubica’s #83 AF Corse entry and Alessandro Pier Guidi in the #51. The latter set fastest lap, with stablemate Antonio Giovinazzi qualifying on pole position. Ferrari’s near-perfect Qatar performance rewarded the hard work of the men and women at Maranello. “Over the winter, we focused hard on closing all the gaps with our competitors, working on key areas where we knew there was still room for improvement,” Coletta explains.

The Italian admits Ferrari needed a touch of luck to complete the one-two-three, pointing to the fact that the pole-sitting #51 499P benefitted from a few neutralisations to get back into contention after being handed penalties. “Our result came from a combination of factors – excellent race preparation at Maranello, even before we got on the track, combined with perfect management of the car’s potential and a flawless team strategy. Just consider, for example, the tyre management – we completed a triple stint on one side of the 499P’s tyres, which was a testament to our drivers’ outstanding work.”

‘The team is eager to bounce back from 2024.’

Beyond the historic implications of the result, Ferrari has struck an early blow in the chase for FIA WEC’s coveted Hypercar crown. “We were determined to begin 2025 by showing our potential, because we have a major goal – to chase the world title for Ferrari,” Miguel Molina underlines. Alongside his team-mates – Fuoco and Nicklas Nielsen – the Spaniard currently tops the Drivers’ standings courtesy of the #50’s 38-point haul in the Middle East. “The most important thing is that Ferrari won,” adds Pier Guidi, who finished third alongside Giovinazzi and James Calado.

In the Manufacturers’ classification, Ferrari signed off Qatar with a maximum 66 points – 31 more than closest rival BMW. “In a world championship with just eight races, it’s vital to capitalise on every event,” Coletta acknowledges. “We mustn’t lower our guard.” As the FIA WEC field prepares to tackle the historic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari – a track on which the Prancing Horse has ‘always been competitive’, according to Giovinazzi – the Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti knows only too well the importance of maximising every race.

Last year, Ferrari failed to convert a Hyperpole one-two-three into a podium finish in the 6 Hours of Imola. “The team is eager to bounce back from the 2024 result,” Coletta assures. “We made one of the biggest mistakes of our season – a misunderstanding between the pit wall and the cars on the track that cost us dearly.” 

In view of the Qatar 1812km, it’s clear Ferrari has learned from its mistakes in race execution and strategy. The experience of two full FIA WEC Hypercar campaigns, marked by back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans wins with unchanged line-ups, is no doubt a contributing factor. “We’ve always strongly believed in team unity,” Coletta adds. “The decision to retain our crews from 2023 is testimony to the project’s continuity and the trust we place in our drivers.”

Will that approach yield a popular home win to send the Imola tifosi into rapture? We’ll find out on Sunday!