Le Mans: double podium for Ferrari!

(Earned with great suffering and honor by AF Corse team)

#racing

Le Mans, 14th June 2015 – The 83rd edition of the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans has been both a difficult and surprising race for AF Corse team. Starting from the qualifying tests the raced proved to be tough. At the starting grid in LMGTE Pro category there were two Aston Martins in first and third position besieged by Ferrari #51 led by world champions Bruni-Vilander-Fisichella in 2^nd position and Ferrari #71 led by Rigon-Calado-Beretta in 4^th position.

The first 8 hours has been a true calvary for Ferrari. At the beginning of the third hour LMP1 Audi #8 driven by Loic Duval collided with Ferrari #51 forcing AF Corse car to a long pit-stop for the necessary repairing. The recovery duty was assigned to Fisichella and Vilander that accomplished very fast stints to get back on top. Even Ferrari #71 suffered the anxiety of a long pit-stop due to a starter motor problem.

At the very mid of the race victory dreams seemed very far away for AF Corse team. Ferrari #51 was in fifth position while Ferrari #71 was at the very tail end, but a luck change finally occurred. Aston Martin #99, #97 and Porsche #91 were forced to leave the game. Vilander and the team planned a very successful attack, but a flat tire frustrated the whole strategy in a second.

During one of the last pit-stops of Corvette #64 (the first car during the second half of the race) Gianmaria Bruni managed to reach the pole, but as far as he gave the car back to his Finnish companion a gear problem put an end to all the chances for Ferrari #51 to get the first step of the podium. 2014 Le Mans champions ended the race in third position, right behind their teammates of Ferrari #71 Calado-Rigon-Beretta which conquered the second position with honor. This 83^rd edition of Le Mans in GTE Pro category has been won by Corvette #64 at last, but this victory doesn’t alter the general rating. AF Corse remains GT Team leader with 73 points and Ferrari leads GT Manufacturer rating with 144 points. Next FIA WEC meeting will be 30^th August in Germany at Nürburgring! See you soon.