After six hours of intensive racing at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, it was Alessandro Pier Guidi (#51) took the win for the Ferrari works squad together with teammates Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado. It marks the third victory in as many races for the Prancing Horse.
Even before the weekend got underway, the team from Maranello were in confident mood. Despite additional ballast and a power reduction, James Calado and Nikas Nielsen were optimistic about the 499P’s chances in Spa.
Not only did Ferrari talk the talk, they also walked the walk, topping two free practice sessions and qualifying on pole position. In the race itself, the Ferrari drivers were able to build on that performance and largely control the six-hour race. With the red cars leading the field away at the start, only Paul di Resta in the Peugeot 9X8 (#93) and Frédéric Makowiecki (#36 Alpine) were able to make life difficult for them.
In spite of what appeared to be a commanding position at the sharp end of the field, the Ferraris were unable to build the lead that many had expected them to. Jules Gounon and Mick Schumacher (#36 Alpine) picked up were Makowiecki left off, taking on the Ferrari hegemony in impressive fashion.
With the lead Ferrari enjoying a lead of over 40 seconds and only requiring a short fuel stop in the final half an hour, all Pier Guidi had to do was keep his nose clean and bring the car safely home.
Attentions quickly turned to the battle for second, which pitched a fuel-saving Nielsen (#50) against Schumacher in all-out attack mode. Assisted by two short full course yellow periods, the Dane just made it over the line with energy levels at 0% and Schumacher less than a second behind.
“In a certain way it’s a kind of revenge for last year, which was quite painful,” said Pier Guidi after the race. “It is what it is, and this year we are smiling.”
Two old rivals battle it out in LMGT3
The LMGT3 category delivered yet more exciting and intriguing racing, with multiple manufacturers in with a shot of taking the win. After starting the race from pole position, it was Lexus who made the initial running, with Frenchman Arnold Robin building a lead of around 10 seconds. However, a slight error at a pit stop cost the team, with the #78 car eventually finishing eighth.
As it progressed, the race developed into a battle for the podium between two old rivals: Ford and Ferrari. Alessio Rovera, François Heriau and Simon Mann assumed the lead with a couple of hours of the race remaining and safely brough their #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 home in first position.
Behind them, the #88 Ford Mustang LMGT3 trio of Stefano Gattuso, Giammarco Levorato and Dennis Olsen prevailed by just three seconds at the chequered flag over the #54 Ferrari to equal Ford’s best result so far with the Mustang LMGT3.
Attracting just under 100,000 fans over the course of the weekend, the WEC certainly put on a show in Belgium with the season highlight – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – just around the corner (14 and 15 June). You can find out all you need to know about the endurance classic on Endurance-Archive.com.
Title image © Martin.Motorsport | Other images © Endurance Archive