By Carlo Platella
Antonio Fuoco is the man of Ferrari’s pole positions in the WEC. At the wheel of the 499P #50 the Italian achieved several starts from the pole, such as his debut at Sebring in 2023, in the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans or more recently in Imola, to which is added the best time canceled in Spa Ferrari clings to its qualities on the flying lap to replicate the pole position at Le Manswhere starting from the front will be particularly important, as Fuoco himself explains in the video interview with FormulaPassion.
Ferrari strong on the flying lap
The Calabrian returns to that lap that earned him a pole position in the last 24 hours of Le Mans, when the Ferrari #50’s ride was interrupted during the night due to a radiator punctured by a stone: “I think that last year we did an excellent team job already in qualifying. We had both cars in front, so I think as a team it was a great job. Afterwards in the race we were a bit unlucky, but it was certainly a great result for the team and I’m sure that without the bad luck or the problem we had it could have been a double”.
The recent hat-trick on Saturday of the 499P in Imola and the canceled pole position in Spa, however, demonstrate how competitive the Prancing Horse Hypercar is still in qualifying today: “In this first part of the season we showed that we are strong on the flying lap. Let’s say that I have been lucky enough to do these three qualifying sessions since the beginning of the year, so for my part I always try to give my best and put the car in the best possible position.”
Starting from the front is not enough to take the victory, but Fuoco is convinced of the progress made by Ferrari in the race: “I think overall compared to last year we have made a big step forwardespecially because we have more experience with the car from all points of view, on tire management, on knowledge of the car, on the software and on how to manage the car”, explains Fuoco. “We’ve made a big step and I think that’s positive”.
Le Mans qualifying
One might think that the one at the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the most important pole position for Antonio Fuoco to date, but the Italian is not so convinced: “Honestly, it’s difficult to say now which pole position is the best, because Sebring was also a special pole with the return after so many years. After that we went to Le Mans, where it was another very special race, but also this year in front of the home crowd in Imola it was a strong emotion. These are certainly good memories of these two years. I hope to be able to return to Le Mans and be able to have our say again in qualifying.”
Paradoxically, even in a 24-hour race like the French marathon, starting from the front row is of great importance. In fact, if it is true that there is no lack of time for possible comebacks from the back, starting from the center of the pack increases the risk of accidents at the start. “In a race like the 24-hour Le Mans it’s important to start from the frontbecause maybe you are in a calmer position in the first phase of the race, where we saw that many accidents happened last year”explains Fuoco. “Afterwards, however, if you have the pace, a 24-hour race allows you to move up”.
Tire danger
The risks of accidents at the start will be even greater this year at Le Mans, where unlike last edition it will be forbidden to preheat the tyres. A rule towards which Fuoco spares no criticism, like many of his colleagues: “I think this is the key factor of the weekend. As a driver I think it’s not good, it doesn’t give you the security of being safe when you go in the car, also because starting with cold tires in a race like Le Mans, where you drive at night, is certainly not easy. It’s not nice to think that if something happens you might lose your lights and other cars won’t see you. It doesn’t make you feel safe, then I hope someone takes responsibility for this choice”.
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