There is confidence in the Ferrari AF Corse camp ahead of Qualifying later today and the race tomorrow at COTA that it can score its second victory of the season this weekend.
After completing a multi-day test at the Texas circuit earlier in the summer and running through its practice programmes this weekend, the expectation is that of the circuits left on the schedule remaining in 2024, Circuit of The Americas is one that the 499P is most likely to thrive on.
The technical, high-speed, 3.426-mile circuit – according to Ferrari’s endurance race cars performance manager Mauro Barbieri – is likely to suit the 499P more than Fuji and Bahrain, the two circuits where Ferrari struggled the most during last season.
And with the World Championships to think about, this could prove to be a pivotal weekend for the back-to-back Le Mans champions as the season comes to a close.
In the Drivers’ points, it’s a three-way battle between the #6 Porsche crew of Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer and Laurens Vanthoor, Ferrari’s #50 trio of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen and the full-season duo in the #7 Toyota, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries. The #6 Porsche drivers hold a 19-point advantage out front and just 22 points separate them.
It’s close in the Manufacturers’ race too, as Porsche leads Toyota by just four points and Ferrari by 17.
“It’s no secret that São Paulo (where the #50 finished sixth) was very difficult for us as a team,” #50 driver Nicklas Nielsen told DSC. “I think our car suits a track like this much better.
“Circuits with slow corners and rotation are where we struggle the most, so this is very important for our championship because what we have seen from Porsche is a good step from last year, and with Toyota, we know what they can do; it’s no surprise they are strong. I think they will be the most difficult to beat for the rest of the season, actually.”
With temperatures trackside high and humidity a factor, will the ‘Joker’ update to the 499P which Ferrari introduced for Brazil come into its own here? The changes to the car were designed to improve aero efficiency, braking efficiency and cooling.
“This track is not massively harsh on the brakes, and brake temp was the primary target for the ‘Joker’,” Barbieri said. “But I feel we are in a comfortable situation in that respect. The updates are doing what they are supposed to do.”
How about the re-surfacing? Following the WEC Hypercar test at CoTA over the summer, parts of the circuit have been made smoother. #51 driver Antonio Giovinazzi told DSC that fresh sections of asphalt haven’t made a significant impact on lap times, but has made the circuit more enjoyable to race on.
“At some points of the circuit, you see the difference, especially in the braking zone for Turn 1, in the test it was difficult and the back straight was bumpy. We struggled for grip at first but it’s evolving and it’s more comfy to drive.”
With Ferrari having shown promise throughout the three practice sessions, including a best lap in Free Practice 3 from the #50 that was within a tenth of the quickest time of the weekend set by Cadillac, all eyes are on Qualifying and tomorrow’s race.
“The field looks tighter than São Paulo, and there are many different cars that could win the race. I think with the new asphalt and high temperatures, tyre strategy will play a major role on Sunday,” Barbieri summarised.
“I think yesterday most of the field tested both tyres and I would say both (the Medium and Hard Michelin tyres) are an option, even with the sunshine and 50 degrees of track temperature.
“But I would say that this circuit is suiting our car better than Sao Paulo. The feeling is better than the other races.”
Image courtesy of DPPI
