Ferrari Dominates at Qatar 1812km, Achieving Historic Podium Sweep

Ferrari’s No. 50 499P won the Qatar 1812km, marking its first factory win outside Le Mans and fourth overall in the FIA WEC. The team achieved an unprecedented podium sweep, with all three factory cars finishing in the top three positions. Notably, this win was Ferrari’s first total sweep in endurance racing since 1972. The next WEC round is the 6 Hours of Imola in April.

The No. 50 Ferrari 499P secured victory in the Qatar 1812km race, marking Ferrari’s fourth overall win in the FIA World Endurance Championship and its inaugural triumph with a factory car outside of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This win also represented the second for drivers Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina, after their success at La Sarthe in the previous year.

In a remarkable display of dominance, Ferrari claimed all three podium positions with the No. 83 AF Corse finishing second and the No. 51 works entry in third. This marked Ferrari’s first-ever podium sweep and only the second occurrence in the Hypercar era, a feat previously accomplished by Porsche. Throughout the race, Ferrari led 309 of the 318 laps, with only minor laps led by Cadillac and Toyota.

This victory is historically significant as it was the first overall sweep for Ferrari in a major sports car endurance race since 1972 when the Ferrari 312 PBs secured the top four spots in Austria. James Calado from the No. 51 Ferrari expressed surprise at recovering to third place amidst penalties while noting issues with communication in the car.

In conclusion, the Qatar 1812km race showcased Ferrari’s prowess in endurance racing, achieving a historical podium sweep and maintaining a leading position in the manufacturers’ standings. Despite challenges faced by other teams, including Porsche and Alpine, the event highlighted significant performances and set the stage for the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola in April. The race results reflect ongoing competitiveness and emerging strategies among teams in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Original Source: sportscar365.com