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    Ferrari Hypercar

    6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

    29 April 2023
    Ferrari closed round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship with its first podium of the year secured by the 499P of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi.

    2023 RACE REVIEW

    The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, round three of the FIA WEC, ended with the Ferrari 499P crewed by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi securing its first podium in the Hypercar class.
    In contrast, the car of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen had to retire following an accident, from which the Italian driver emerged unscathed, less than two hours before the chequered flag.
    Track Temp11.70ºCHour 1
    Air Temp8.40ºCHour 1
    Track Temp14.10ºCHour 6
    Air Temp11.30ºCHour 6
    • Ferrari - AF Corse#51A. PIER GUIDI / J. CALADO / A. GIOVINAZZI
    • Race Result3
    • Fastest Lap2:03.868
    • Pit Stop8
    • Laps148
    • Total time6:01:34.237
    • Gap from leader1:09.439
    AVG SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    AVG SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    • Ferrari - AF Corse#50A. FUOCO / M. MOLINA / N. NIELSEN
    • Race ResultDNF
    • Fastest Lap2:04.694
    • Pit Stop6
    • Laps106
    • Total time4:21:39.687
    AVG SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    AVG SPEED
    TOP SPEED
    “
    Starting from the assumption that the rules are the same for everyone and that we abide by them, I think we need to reflect on the ban on tyrewarmers.
    It’s a common opinion in the paddock and among professionals, not to mention the drivers, that this situation has become dangerous. At Spa, there have been many accidents and extreme episodes due to cold temperatures and changeable weather, and it’s time to do some serious thinking on the matter because it has major ramifications for safety. We are on the eve of a decisive race like the 24 Hours of Le Mans where, overnight, temperatures are low and speeds very high. It’s not just an issue for us. The accidents involved different cars, from different classes, driven at the time by both professional and gentleman drivers, and this situation had already been predicted some time ago.
    Antonello Coletta
    Head of Attività Sportive GT
    “
    For us it was a double-sided race, which leaves a slightly sour taste in the mouth because of the final result, given the excellent performance of the cars.
    The race was affected by our initial decision to start with a conservative approach, with rain tyres, and by the events during the race, which punished us on several occasions. However, the team didn’t lose concentration, striving to gain one position after another. Finishing on the podium shows we are making great strides in understanding the car and optimising performance. Certainly, we are sorry not to have picked up points with number 50. In this regard, what happened during the race to us and to many other cars should make everyone think about whether we should review the regulations, given their possible impact on safety. We leave Spa with valuable lessons for the future: from tomorrow, we’ll start working again to prepare for the season’s most important and challenging race.
    Ferdinando Cannizzo
    Head of GT and Sports Race Cars
    “
    Finally a podium after so much bad luck in the first two races.
    We needed it also for morale. The race was positive. Unfortunately, the Safety Car came out twice when we were supposed to make a pit stop, and we also had to make two emergency pit stops, which cost us time. Then James pulled off a fantastic stint in the finale. He closed the gap to the Porsche, and we reached the podium. The 24 Hours of Le Mans? We know Toyota will be the favourites, but we’ll try our best and play all our cards. It’s a long race, and many factors, starting with reliability, can be crucial. We hope to achieve a great result.
    Alessandro Pier Guidi
    499P #51 driver
    “
    The race didn’t end as we’d hoped.
    We are improving, working very hard, and here at Spa, we proved that we have an excellent pace, although we still have to continue to build up experience in this category. Antonio couldn’t do anything to avoid the situation that occurred on his return to the track. Handling the car in weather like today’s at Spa is very difficult with cold tyres. Antonio shouldn’t worry, and together we will look ahead. We are already thinking about the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the year’s most eagerly anticipated race, where I am sure we can achieve an excellent result.
    Miguel Molina
    499P #50 driver
    “
    I am delighted with the result, the first podium in our Le Mans Hypercar, and a step in the right direction.
    We worked hard before this race to improve and prepare for Spa. We were a little unlucky during the race, but we picked ourselves up, kept pushing and closed the gap to the cars ahead of us. I feel sorry for our teammates in the 499P number 50 because we could have achieved an even better result as a team.
    James Calado
    499P #51 driver
    “
    It is a big thrill to be back on the podium after such a long time.
    It was a tricky race, but in the end, James and Alessandro did an exceptional job. I am delighted for the entire team.
    Antonio Giovinazzi
    499P #51 driver
      Spa is one of the most beautiful circuits in Europe
      One of the few largely unchanged 'old generation' tracks still in use.

      Indeed, the track immersed in the green of the Ardennes still has nearly all the technical characteristics of the original circuit (which was about 14 kilometres long), making it exciting from first to last from the technical point of view. It is full of technical aspects that can bring out differences between drivers. The fans' pulses quicken when the cars pass by the Eau Rouge or Radillon, and nerves fray when a driver goes at full tilt (or not) into this fearsome dip.

      Of course, drivers don't only set their best times courtesy of the Eau Rouge and Radillon. The central part of Spa is very interesting, with its sequence of fast curves interspersed with short straights. This second stage is perhaps the most technical, with the driver needing to take a very particular approach so as not to spin out. After the mixed section, at the exit of the treacherous Stavelot, the drivers go back in time to the evocative straight in the Ardennes forest, the Blanchimont, which leads to the final turn, the Bus Stop.

      However, the Belgian circuit is also famous for its very changeable weather conditions, which often produce wet and dry stretches on a track that is almost seven kilometres long!

      6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
      Turns
      • LocationSpa-FrancorchampsBelgium
      • Turns19
      • Circuit Length7 004 m

      499P is the name of the new Le Mans Hypercar with which Ferrari will tackle the FIA WEC in the top class from 2023, a name evoking the history of the Prancing Horse manufacturer.

      Discover more