GTWC | Ferrari, a painful podium: “At least we’re fighting for the title”

For the worse, it went very well, but for the better, it ended worse than it could have ended: this is how you can describe the 3h of Monza of the GT World Challenge Europe for Ferrari, which at the end of the penultimate round of the 2024 Endurance Cup.

The victory was missed out on by the 296 GT3 #51 driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, Alessio Rovera and their new teammate, Vincent Abril (borrowed for the occasion from the #71 crew in the absence of Davide Rigon), after a Sunday domination that began with the Pole Position achieved thanks to an average time superior to all the others after the three from AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors were able to stand out in all the heats.

The standard-bearers of the Prancing Horse continued to hold the lead, with a brilliant Rovera at the start who was able to immediately keep his rivals behind, lapping undisturbed at the first variant, before attempting to escape and giving the Reds to Abril, equally fast and capable of extending his lead to +6″ when a new neutralization with Full Course Yellow/Safety Car nullified the efforts of the Monegasque.

Once the green flag came back, a new escapade before giving way to Pier Guidi, who however, between a new neutralization and the reshuffling of pit stops by his rivals, found himself in 15th place. Some were already known to have to stop, others instead could have made it to the finish line and so the Piedmontese stood out in what he does best, that is, pulling out all the stops possible by starting to string together record laps and applause-worthy overtakings.

The moving comeback ended on the third step of the podium, which in reality could have been the second if it had not been for the final attack on Dries Vanthoor’s BMW in turn 1, with the M4 that gave a touch to the Ferrari forcing it to cut the inside kerb. Here Pier Guidi and the Emilian team were even too honest, giving the position back to the Belgian to avoid risking a penalty and settling for a podium that is very precious.

Now Rovera and Pier Guidi find themselves in second place in the drivers’ standings with 3 points to recover from Sorensen/Thiim/Drudi, who ran dry in Brianza and therefore with the championship wide open when only the Jeddah stage is missing on the horizon.

#51 AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors, Ferrari 296 GT3: Alessio Rovera, Vincent Abril, Alessandro Pier Guidi

Photo by: Emanuele Clivati ​​| AG Photo

“It’s quite difficult to say anything at this moment. We wanted to win at all costs, in front of our fans. I gave it my all, as did Alessio and Vincent”, admits Pier Guidi, who despite everything feels the bitterness for the success that slipped away.

“I think the stars are not aligned in the right direction this year: for one reason or another things happen that are out of our control. It’s difficult. I need a little time and then we will look forward with the usual determination.”

Rovera tries to look at it philosophically, but he does have a few things to clear up: “After having taken pole position with a qualifying session in which we were also good at finding laps without traffic, we had the opportunity to play for the victory”.

“It must be said that with this new regulation of the three mandatory stops, introduced right here, the cards have been mixed up. And I must admit that it has favored teams that found themselves in the back, they were kissed by luck and took the risk that we could not take, which is a shame.”

“During the race I was able to complete a great first stint and push in view of the first pit stop, the car was stable and fast. Then in the second half of the race there were some Safety Cars and in the end we have to take this podium and the precious points that arrived anyway. Now we are second in the standings and we will play for the championship in Jeddah as if it were a final and with several crews still in the running”.

The podium

Photo by: Emanuele Clivati ​​| AG Photo

A day to forget for the 296 #71 of Thomas Neubauer, David Vidales and rookie Yifei Ye, who suffered a failure in the exhaust manifold on the formation lap and was pushed into the pits for repairs, losing the first laps and slipping to the back without being able to have its say and lend a hand to its sister car.

“The weekend in Monza, in my GT3 debut with Ferrari, started very well. The car was fast in all sessions and the qualifying position was also good. Unfortunately, a problem on the starting grid prevented us from starting regularly and we had to recover immediately”, comments Ye.

“I tried to drive clean during my stint and learn as much as possible in this GT race. I thank my teammates and engineers for helping and advising me.”

Neubauer added: “It was definitely not what we expected. I’m talking about both the #51 and our #71. Having a problem on the formation lap and on the way to the starting grid is absolutely painful, even considering the pace we had shown in these days in Monza. We were fast, so the regret remains.”

“We were all focused on the #51: in the end they finished third and to finish on the podium at Monza, Ferrari’s home circuit, is still a good result. Obviously we all expected something more, but we have to be positive: we are on the podium and it is an important result for the championship.”

#71 AF Corse-Francorchamps Motors, Ferrari 296 GT3: Yifei Ye, Thomas Neubauer, David Vidales

Photo by: Paolo Belletti

Vidales also regrets: “It’s hard to digest, not even being able to participate in the start of the race due to a technical problem and not having the chance to fight for something, it hurts. It’s a cruel sport sometimes, but we win and lose together.”

“After 20 minutes of racing, we managed to get on track and finish it. However, in my stint I tried to do my best and learn as much as possible and when you see that your pace is as good as the leader’s, it hurts even more, but let’s try not to think about the things we can’t control. We will come back stronger. Thanks to all the fans who came to Monza this weekend, you were fantastic!”