Ferrari aims to score crucial points at Austin

WECHyperCar

Sep 2

Fifty-six days after the previous round contested in Brazil, the Ferrari – AF Corse works team heads to the Circuit of The Americas with a clear goal for both crews: both #50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, and the #51 of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi need to score crucial points in the world title races after finishing outside the top ten at São Paulo.

On the American circuit, which is hosting the Lone Star Le Mans for the second consecutive year and is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes and 5.513-kilometre layout combining high-speed sections with corners of varying radius and speed, the spotlight will also fall on the #83  499P, eighth in Brazil. Entered by the AF Corse privateer team, it will be driven by Maranello-based manufacturer official driver Yifei Ye alongside Robert Kubica and Phil Hanson.

World Manufacturers’ Championship

Ferrari tops the World Manufacturers’ Championship standings on 175 points, 55 clear of second place, ahead of a race that awards 25 points to the winner.

three 499P — 📷 © Luc Warnotte at Qatar. Ferrari 499P triples at the 1812 km of Qatar

World Drivers’ Championship

The #51 of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, lead on 105 points, with two wins and two pole positions so far at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.

📷 © Luc Warnotte. Left: Winning #51 at Imola 6 hours. Right: winning #51 499 at 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

Alessandro Pier Guidi, Ferrari - AF Corse #51: “At Austin in 2024, the Ferraris played a leading role thanks to our pole position and the number 83 499P’s race win. I hope we can once again prove competitive after the tough weekend we faced in July in Brazil. The team’s goal is to earn plenty of points so we can leave the United States having strengthened our lead in both the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ World Championships standings. The track? I like it: it’s a medium to high-speed circuit that’s great fun to drive. Racing in Texas during the summer can be difficult for a driver because of the weather, so I hope the temperatures will be quite mild, like last year.”

James Calado, Ferrari - AF Corse #51: “COTA is one of the most challenging circuits of the season because, in terms of layout, it combines very high-speed sections with a variety of very different turns. One of the most impressive points is the straight which climbs uphill before leading into turn 1 with a truly remarkable gradient: experiencing this from inside the cockpit is something unique. Last year Ferrari was very competitive in America, and I hope it will be the same this weekend so we can solidify our lead in the standings.”

Antonio Giovinazzi, Ferrari - AF Corse #51: “I’m happy to return to Austin on a track I really like for its technical qualities. A year ago, at COTA, we achieved a great pole position, my first with the 499P, which was very exciting, even though the race in the number 51 car didn’t give us the best result. That’s why we’re determined to bounce back, while keeping in mind that the main goal for this round is to do everything we can to score lots of points, avoid risks, and strengthen our leading position in the World Championship standings.”

Ye, Kubica, and Hanson follow with the #83 499P follow them in second place on 93 points thanks to their win of the last 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Qatar winning #50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen sit fourth on 57, with one win and one Hyperpole.

Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari - AF Corse #50: “The race at COTA will be crucial for the championship, since there are only three rounds left at the end of the season and we need to capitalise on every event to defend Ferrari’s lead in the World Championship. After Le Mans and São Paulo with our number 50 499P, we return on the track determined to be frontrunners in a great race, even though we expect the competition to be fierce on this track, unique in its technical characteristics.”

Miguel Molina, Ferrari - AF Corse #50: “We return on the track in America almost two months after the round in Brazil. The summer break was useful for recharging our batteries, and we’re ready for the season finale, where we’ll try to fully unleash the car’s potential, competing for top positions in every race. At COTA, we’ll have to do everything perfectly.”

Nicklas Nielsen, Ferrari - AF Corse #50: “Last year at COTA, our car proved to be very competitive, but we didn’t achieve the desired result in the race (the number 50 crew finished third – Ed.). We arrive in Texas, determined to secure a better result, as always striving to do our utmost to aim for the top positions, while being aware that the race won’t be easy. The main goal is to win as many points as possible.” Source: Ferrari

FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams

AF Corse also leads the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams, 64 points clear of their closest rivals on the eve of a race – the third-to-last of the season – which is crucial for the independent teams' title.

📷 © Luc Warnotet at Qatar: AF Corse #83 499P

The programme.

Friday, 5 September: two 90-minute free practice sessions at 11.30 a. m. and 4.00 p. m.;

Saturday, 6 September: after the third free practice session (11.00 a. m.-12.00 a. m.), qualifying for the Hypercar class takes place at 3.40 p. m., followed by the Hyperpole at 4.00 p. m.

Sunday, 7 September: The 6 Hours of COTA, as mentioned, starts at 1.00 p. m. (local times).