Ferrari 499Ps expected at “University” of Racing in Spa

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit will host the third round of the FIA WEC 2024, featuring the 499Ps of Ferrari – AF Corse. The 7.004-kilometre Belgian track, known to fans as the “University” of racing, will host the Maranello manufacturer’s official crews: Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen share the number 50 Hypercar, while Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi drive the number 51 “sister” car.

Official Prancing Horse drivers Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman, alongside Robert Kubica, will team up in the third 499P entered in the World Endurance Championship, driving the number 83 car for the private AF Corse team. The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps kicks off on Saturday, 11 May, at 1 p.m. (local time).

Twenty days after the Italian round at Imola, where the official crews of 499Ps number 50 and 51 finished fourth and seventh, the 6 Hours of Spa offers a crucial opportunity to earn significant points towards the world title.

As is customary, the Spa round appears on the FIA WEC calendar immediately before the eagerly awaited 24 Hours of Le Mans, serving as a dress rehearsal for the famous French event. Technically, the layout of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which opened in 1921, combines fast stretches like the iconic Eau Rouge-Raidillon leading into the Kemmel straight, with corners of varying width and speed, including the legendary La Source and Blanchimont. These features, alongside frequent elevation changes, make Spa a demanding circuit for drivers and challenging for the cars.

The situation. Following their performances in Qatar and Italy, Fuoco, Molina, and Nielsen hold fifth place in the Drivers’ standings, while their teammates Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi are in 11th position. Ferrari ranks third in the Manufacturers’ category with 31 points, 26 points behind the championship leaders, ahead of a race that awards 25 points to the winner.

The crew of the 499P in Giallo Modena livery currently sits in sixth place with drivers Ye, Shwartzman, and Kubica. Meanwhile, the AF Corse team lies second in the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams standings, just one point behind the leaders.

The programme. Two 90-minute free practice sessions are scheduled for Thursday, 9 May, at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A third free practice session runs on Saturday, 10 May, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by qualifying at 3:30 p.m., and the Hyperpole – for the ten fastest cars – at 3:53 p.m. The race sets off on Saturday, 11 May, at 1 p.m. (local time).