Everything you need to know about WEC 6 Hours of Imola

Despite never hosting a round of the WEC, Imola is no stranger to endurance racing - exactly 50 years ago, in 1974, it staged the 1000 km of Imola. Then from 2013 to 2016, and in 2022, the circuit hosted a round of the European Le Mans Series – which will return this July.

With 14 manufacturers (Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Isotta Fraschini, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota), 37 cars (19 Hypercars ; 18 LMGT3 entries) and a star-studded entry list comprising of 110 drivers from 28 different countries, the WEC is truly experiencing a new golden era. Imola will also mark the first event for the all-new 2024 9X8 Hypercar from Peugeot TotalEnergies with radical aerodynamic upgrades including a rear wing and different tyre widths.

The entry list for Imola features several Italian teams and drivers for the home fans to support including last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans winners Ferrari as well as new-for-2024 entries Lamborghini and Isotta Fraschini. A total of 13 Italian drivers will compete at their home race including Antonio Giovinazzi (Ferrari AF Corse), Antonio Fuoco (Ferrari AF Corse), Mirko Bortolotti (Lamborghini Iron Lynx), Alessandro Pier Guidi (Ferrari AF Corse) and Edoardo Mortara (Lamborghini Iron Lynx). There will also be great anticipation for home hero and multiple MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, who is making his WEC debut this season in a BMW M4 LMGT3 with Team WRT.

Round two of this year’s WEC sees two changes to the entry list since the curtain-raiser in Qatar last month. The No. 2 Cadillac will feature just two drivers for the Italian race with Britain’s Alex Lynn and New Zealand’s Earl Bamber confirmed to drive the Cadillac V-Series R Hypercar challenger. Secondly, Alpine Endurance Team sees the team’s reserve driver Jules Gounon step in for regular driver Ferdinand Habsburg who was injured during a test at the end of last month. Frenchman Gounon will contest his first race behind the wheel of a prototype on a circuit he knows well, having scored a podium finish there in GT World Challenge Europe in 2022.

During each tour of the 4.9km Imola circuit, Hypercar drivers reach top speeds in the range of 312kph and travel with a fully-opened throttle for 50% of the lap.

The anti-clockwise circuit is characterised by its unique old-school feel and watching Hypercars around the 4.909-kilometre layout will be a sight to remember. Furthermore, Imola being anti-clockwise is one of three anti-clockwise circuits on the 2024 WEC calendar, with the other two being Interlagos in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and COTA (USA).

During last month’s Qatar Airways Qatar 1812km, Porsche was victorious in both Hypercar and LMGT3. However, with the strength of this year’s grid, there will be no shortage of contenders looking to dethrone the German manufacturer in Imola. Indeed, with a very different circuit layout, a six hour race opposed to the season-opening ten hours and a narrow circuit making overtaking difficult, the scene is set for a thrilling race!

WHERE TO WATCH

Several broadcasters across the world will broadcast the FIA WEC this weekend including a mix of pan-regional deals and various FTA, linear and online channels.

FIAWEC.TV will also broadcast Imola live on its online platform.  This is available worldwide. Individual race packages are available to buy for 8.99 Euros or fans. Available on the app will be qualifying, race replays and full English commentary from experts Anthony Davidson, Martin Haven, Graham Goodwin as well as pitlane reporter, Louise Beckett.  For more information about the app, click HERE.

Action from Free Practice 3 on Saturday (20 April) will be live to watch on the FIA WEC YouTube channel. 

To view the full entry list click HERE.

WEC 6 Hours of Imola Race Timetable

Friday 19 April

Free Practice 1: 12:00 – 13:30

Free Practice 2: 17:15 – 18:45

Saturday 20 April

Free Practice 3: 11:10 – 12:10

Qualifying + Hyperpole: 14:45 – 15:55

Sunday 21 April

Race: 13:00 – 19:00