The FIA World Endurance Championship season reaches its final stages with the sixth round at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas on Sunday, 7 September, beginning at 1 p.m. local time. The two Ferrari 296 LMGT3s of Vista AF Corse return to competition in second and ninth place in the championship standings.

The Brazilian round in July proved difficult for both crews, who failed to score points. Ahead of the US race, the aim is to return to challenging for the top positions in the class for production-derived cars.

The American circuit, hosting the FIA WEC for the eighth time, measures 5.513 km and features an undulating layout that combines high-speed sections with twisty, technical sectors. The main straight is over a kilometre long, on the side opposite the start/finish line. So far, Ferrari has achieved two GT-class victories at COTA: in 2015 in LMGTE Am, and in 2017 in LMGTE Pro – the latter with official drivers Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado.

The situation. The number 21 Vista AF Corse crew, including François Heriau, Simon Mann, and official driver Alessio Rovera, arrives in Austin second in the world championship standings on 76 points – 13 off the lead – thanks to their victory at Spa-Francorchamps and a runner-up finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The number 54 car, piloted by Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci, and the other official Ferrari driver Davide Rigon, sits ninth in the championship with 31 points. Their best result so far is third place in Belgium.

The programme. The Lone Star Le Mans weekend kicks off with the first two free practice sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, on Friday, 5 September, at 11.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively. On Saturday, 6 September, the third free practice session takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Qualifying starts at 3 p.m., with the Hyperpole at 3.20 p.m. Sunday’s six-hour race, on 7 September, will begin at 1 p.m. (local time).