Ferrari targeting ‘more historic achievements’ in 2025
Ferrari concluded the 2024 FIA WEC campaign with mixed emotions, toasting a second consecutive success at Le Mans but ruing other potential victories that narrowly escaped its grasp. The Italian marque has vowed to come back ‘even stronger’ this year.
Having returned to international endurance racing’s top-tier in fine style in 2023 – prevailing in the centenary edition of Le Mans, half-a-century on from its last bid for outright honours in the race – Ferrari entered 2024 looking to consolidate that promising start.
A repeat performance at La Sarthe was indubitably the highlight – with the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P piloted by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen spearheading a memorable one-three finish, joined on the rostrum by 2023 winners and stablemates Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi – and there were celebrations, too, for the independently-run #83 AF Corse entry, which triumphed in Texas in the hands of Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman.
“Le Mans was exceptional,” reflected Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti. “It was a gruelling race – a contest so tight that the first four cars crossed the finish line within 38 seconds. To have six drivers on the most famous and important podium in endurance racing was a fantastic achievement, and from a technical perspective, we won for the second time in a row with the same vehicle, without any updates.
“It was a pity for the #83 car, which did not finish despite leading the most laps. Even so, its crew made a remarkable comeback by clinching first place overall at COTA – a truly well-deserved result.”
A brace of further rostrum appearances for the #50 enabled Fuoco, Molina and Nielsen to secure second spot in the final Drivers’ classification – an improvement upon the previous campaign – with Ferrari placing third in the Manufacturers’ table. Coletta admits, however, that there were a number of other occasions where for a variety of reasons, silverware slipped through the team’s fingers...
“We achieved great results, even though we won less than we might have done,” he mused. “The car was very competitive at Imola, Spa and Le Mans, in Austin and also in Bahrain, although on some tracks we struggled more. We regard ourselves as the ‘moral’ victors of the 6 Hours of Spa, where we were leading the race prior to a red flag that put us in a bad spot.
“We regret the incident at Imola, where we missed the chance to deliver immense joy to the fans, having started in first, second and third positions in front of an incredible crowd. Unfortunately, we made a mistake in choosing when to pit for a tyre change, and we paid for that. This team has always learnt from its mistakes, though, and will I am sure return to the track even stronger.
“We still look back on a very positive championship overall. The season saw an increase not only in the number of competitors but also in quality, so third place in the Manufacturers’ standings and second in the Drivers’ were really positive outcomes. We have observed the team’s development, which has been particularly noticeable during challenging times, and leading for almost the entire eight hours in Bahrain offered confirmation of our car and crew’s improved competitiveness – a solid foundation to take into 2025.”
Ferrari AF Corse will field an unchanged driver line-up in its two factory 499Ps this year, and Coletta hopes that continuity will prove to be a key attribute as the team endeavours to take the next step and challenge for the world championship crown.
“The relationship that binds us to our official drivers is special,” he acknowledged. “They’re outstanding professionals who, besides taking our cars to the track, represent the Ferrari brand on a global level. We are pleased with their work and what we have achieved together.
“Our aim is to build upon the positive results of last year and try to win the Manufacturers’ world championship. We promise to repay the support of our partners and sponsors by fighting for more historic achievements.”
“Compared to 12 months ago, our progress – making the most of our ever-increasing knowledge of the car – is clear,” added Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of Endurance Race Cars for Ferrari. “We are satisfied with having recorded significant improvements over 2023, aware that there are still more steps to take to compete for titles.”
