Ferrari achieved the goal it had set for itself in Hyperpole with the 499P driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi in fourth place ahead of its twin driven by Antonio Fuoco. The Cavallino team did not have the ambition of aiming for pole position and the half second that separates Kevin Estre’s Porsche 963 from the time of the driver from Tortona proves it…
“I wasn’t able to do a clean lap due to traffic, but we knew that in Hyperpole we could suffer on the flying lap compared to some rivals. I had a loss of downforce in Tetre Rouge and then I didn’t have the right speed on the straight. It must also be said that we were not too lucky with the red flag which affected the tire preparation in an attempt to improve in the final phase, but I think that our objective was to qualify in the first two rows, to reduce the risks at the start, and we are there…”.
With Calado and Giovinazzi you are back in charge after last year’s success: is it a victory that changed your life?
“I remained the same, then my popularity among enthusiasts certainly grew, but my approach hasn’t changed. I am confident and I believe that we will be able to do well also thanks to the fact that we will be able to count on last year’s experience. We have what it takes to have a good 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
“Toyota stayed out of the Hyperpole but I see it well. It is difficult to understand what the actual values are due to the continuous interruptions due to slow zones, safety cars and red flags, so it is not clear what the pace will be in long runs”.
With what approach will you approach the race?
“I have the same motivation as last year when we won. Last year nobody expected the result from us, because people in the paddock didn’t know if we would have the reliability to last. Now we just have more pressure than last year because there is more expectation.”
Has last year’s success changed your life?
“My life hasn’t changed, but yes I’m more popular now. But for me the same way of approaching life has remained.”
It will be a very variable 24 Hours from a weather point of view…
“The weather changes, the temperatures and the wind change but we have a good car like last year: we have a good base and we need to optimize its behaviour. And there will be several moments with rain…”.
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