2024 6 Hours of Imola
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The 2024 6 Hours of Imola was an endurance sportscar racing event held on 21 April 2024, as the second of eight rounds of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. It was the second running of the event, and the first running of the event as part of the World Endurance Championship.
Background[edit]
The event was announced on 9 June 2023, during the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans weekend. The Italian round of the World Endurance Championship was held at Monza in July between 2021 and 2023. To accommodate an additional non-European race, the Italian round was moved from July to April. Since the Monza circuit is currently undergoing upgrade works, the round was moved from Monza to Imola.[1]
Prior to the race, Peugeot unveiled their updated Peugeot 9X8, including a rear wing and a change in tire size: the front tires having a diameter of 29 centimeters, and the rear tires having a diameter of 34 centimeters, aligning with the rest of the Hypercar field.[2]
Entry list[edit]
The entry list was revealed on 2 April 2024, with 19 entries in the Hypercar category, and 18 entries in the LMGT3 category. In Hypercar, the No. 2 Cadillac Racing entry dropped from three to two drivers: Sébastien Bourdais did not drive for the team in Imola. Furthermore, Ferdinand Habsburg was replaced by Jules Gounon in the No. 35 Alpine Endurance Team entry, since the former was still recovering from an injury.[3] All other entered teams and drivers stayed the same as in Qatar.[4][5]
Schedule[edit]
| Date | Time (local: CEST) | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 19 April | 12:00 | Free Practice 1 |
| 17:15 | Free Practice 2 | |
| Saturday, 20 April | 11:10 | Free Practice 3 |
| 14:45 | Qualifying - LMGT3 | |
| 15:05 | Hyperpole - LMGT3 | |
| 15:25 | Qualifying - Hypercar | |
| 15:45 | Hyperpole - Hypercar | |
| Sunday, 21 April | 13:00 | Race |
| Source:[6] | ||
Practice[edit]
There are three practice sessions scheduled to be held preceding the start of the race on Sunday: two on Friday and one on Saturday. The sessions on Friday afternoon and Friday evening lasted 90 minutes, and the final session on Saturday morning lasted for 60 minutes.[6]
Practice 1[edit]
The first practice session took place at 12:00 CEST on Friday. Yifei Ye was quickest in the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari, with a lap time of 1:31.347. Antonio Fuoco ended up second fastest in the No. 50 Ferrari AF Corse entry, with Mikkel Jensen in the No. 93 Peugeot TotalEnergies entry in third.[7] LMGT3 was led by Daniel Juncadella in the No. 82 TF Sport Corvette, lapping the circuit in 1 minute and 42.113 seconds, with team mate Charlie Eastwood in the No. 81 Corvette second, 0.606s behind. Davide Rigon was third-quickest in the No. 54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari, 0.858s slower than Juncadella.[8] The session saw one red flag, after Jean-Éric Vergne's No. 93 Peugeot suddenly stopped on-track.[9]
| Class | No. | Entrant | Driver | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypercar | 83 |  AF Corse |  Yifei Ye | 1:31.347 | |
| LMGT3 | 82 |  TF Sport |  Daniel Juncadella | 1:42.113 | |
| Source:[10][11] | |||||
- Note: Only the fastest car in each class is shown.
Practice 2[edit]
The second practice session took place at 17:15 CEST on Friday. Fuoco was quickest in the No. 50 Ferrari with a lap time of 1:30.957. Kévin Estre was second in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport entry, 0.342s behind. Robert Shwartzman ended up third in the No. 83 Ferrari.[12] Eastwood was quickest in LMGT3 in the No. 81 Corvette, with a lap of 1:41.986, which was 0.187s faster than Alessio Rovera's lap in the No. 55 Vista AF Corse Ferrari. Juncadella was third-quickest in the No. 82 Corvette.[13]
| Class | No. | Entrant | Driver | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypercar | 50 | Ferrari AF Corse | Antonio Fuoco | 1:30.957 | |
| LMGT3 | 81 | TF Sport |  Charlie Eastwood | 1:41.986 | |
| Source:[14][15] | |||||
- Note: Only the fastest car in each class is shown.
Final practice[edit]
The third and final practice session took place at 11:10 CEST on Saturday. Fuoco was once again quickest in the No. 50 Ferrari, with a lap of 1:31.238. He was 0.034s quicker than Dries Vanthoor in the No. 15 BMW M Team WRT entry, with team-mate René Rast in the No. 20 BMW a further 0.271s behind.[16] In LMGT3, Marco Sørensen was quickest in the No. 777 D'station Racing Aston Martin, lapping the track in 1 minute and 42.474 seconds. He was half a second quicker than Daniel Mancinelli in the No. 27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin, with Augusto Farfus in the No. 31 Team WRT BMW in third.[17] The session saw one stoppage, when Paul di Resta beached his No. 94 Peugeot TotalEnergies entry in the gravel at turn 18.[17]
| Class | No. | Entrant | Driver | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypercar | 50 | Ferrari AF Corse | Antonio Fuoco | 1:31.238 | |
| LMGT3 | 777 |  D'station Racing |  Marco Sørensen | 1:42.474 | |
| Source:[18][19] | |||||
- Note: Only the fastest car in each class is shown.
Qualifying[edit]
Qualifying results[edit]
Pole position winners in each class are marked in bold.
| Pos | Class | No. | Entrant | Qualifying | Hyperpole | Grid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hypercar | 50 | Ferrari AF Corse | 1:30.196 | 1:29.466 | 1 |
| 2 | Hypercar | 83 | AF Corse | 1:30.710 | 1:29.885 | 2 |
| 3 | Hypercar | 51 | Ferrari AF Corse | 1:30.736 | 1:29.953 | 3 |
| 4 | Hypercar | 6 |  Porsche Penske Motorsport | 1:31.190 | 1:30.101 | 4 |
| 5 | Hypercar | 5 | Porsche Penske Motorsport | 1:30.221 | 1:30.385 | 5 |
| 6 | Hypercar | 7 | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 1:30.636 | 1:30.410 | 6 |
| 7 | Hypercar | 20 |  BMW M Team WRT | 1:30.950 | 1:30.600 | 7 |
| 8 | Hypercar | 8 | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 1:30.497 | 1:30.652 | 8 |
| 9 | Hypercar | 12 | Hertz Team Jota | 1:30.992 | 1:30.656 | 9 |
| 10 | Hypercar | 99 | Proton Competition | 1:30.929 | 1:30.692 | 10 |
| 11 | Hypercar | 38 | Hertz Team Jota | 1:31.322 | 11 | |
| 12 | Hypercar | 2 |  Cadillac Racing | 1:31.397 | 12 | |
| 13 | Hypercar | 15 | BMW M Team WRT | 1:31.549 | 13 | |
| 14 | Hypercar | 94 |  Peugeot TotalEnergies | 1:31.651 | 14 | |
| 15 | Hypercar | 93 | Peugeot TotalEnergies | 1:31.748 | 15 | |
| 16 | Hypercar | 63 | Lamborghini Iron Lynx | 1:31.862 | 16 | |
| 17 | Hypercar | 35 | Alpine Endurance Team | 1:31.980 | 17 | |
| 18 | Hypercar | 36 | Alpine Endurance Team | 1:32.054 | 18 | |
| 19 | Hypercar | 11 | Isotta Fraschini | 1:33.575 | 19 | |
| 20 | LMGT3 | 92 |  Manthey PureRxcing | 1:42.734 | 1:42.365 | 20 |
| 21 | LMGT3 | 27 | Heart of Racing Team | 1:43.452 | 1:43.058 | 21 |
| 22 | LMGT3 | 46 | Team WRT | 1:43.241 | 1:43.099 | 22 |
| 23 | LMGT3 | 31 | Team WRT | 1:43.281 | 1:43.105 | 23 |
| 24 | LMGT3 | 85 | Iron Dames | 1:42.924 | 1:43.151 | 24 |
| 25 | LMGT3 | 88 | Proton Competition | 1:43.416 | 1:43.229 | 25 |
| 26 | LMGT3 | 91 | Manthey EMA | 1:43.134 | 1:43.399 | 26 |
| 27 | LMGT3 | 55 | Vista AF Corse | 1:43.198 | 1:43.523 | 27 |
| 28 | LMGT3 | 54 | Vista AF Corse | 1:43.225 | 1:43.650 | 28 |
| 29 | LMGT3 | 59 | United Autosports | 1:43.882 | 1:43.835 | 29 |
| 30 | LMGT3 | 81 | TF Sport | 1:43.897 | 30 | |
| 31 | LMGT3 | 777 | D'station Racing | 1:43.947 | 31 | |
| 32 | LMGT3 | 82 | TF Sport | 1:44.108 | 32 | |
| 33 | LMGT3 | 77 | Proton Competition | 1:44.118 | 33 | |
| 34 | LMGT3 | 95 | United Autosports | 1:44.291 | 34 | |
| 35 | LMGT3 | 78 | Akkodis ASP Team | 1:44.347 | 35 | |
| 36 | LMGT3 | 60 | Iron Lynx | 1:46.254 | 36 | |
| 37 | LMGT3 | 87 | Akkodis ASP Team | No time[N 1] | 37 | |
| Source:[21][22] | ||||||
Race[edit]
Race results[edit]
The minimum number of laps for classification (70% of overall winning car's distance) was 143 laps. Class winners are in bold and ‡.
Notes[edit]
- ^ The No. 87 Akkodis ASP Team entry had all its lap times deleted due to a faulty sensor.[20]
- ^ The No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport entry received a 5-second time penalty for overtaking under the safety car. The car kept its second-place position.[23]
- ^ a b The Nos. 35 and 36 Alpine Endurance Team entries initally received penalties for not reaching the minimum drive time with Jules Gounon and Nicolas Lapierre, respectively.[24][25] However, this decision was later reverted by the stewards.[26][27]
- ^ The No. 27 Heart of Racing Team entry received a 10-second time penalty for leaving its engine running whilst refuelling. The car kept its position of fifth in class.[28]
- ^ The No. 15 BMW M Team WRT entry was disqualified as it did not rejoin parc fermé under its own power.[29]
References[edit]
- ^ Mitchell, Rory (9 June 2023). "WEC to visit Imola and Qatar for the first time in 2024". RacingNews365. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Klein, Jamie (25 March 2024). "Peugeot Reveals Updates 9X8 2024 Car". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (15 April 2024). "Gounon to Stand In for Habsburg at Imola". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ Klein, Jamie (2 April 2024). "Two-Driver Cadillac Lineup Confirmed for Imola". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Kilbey, Stephen (2 April 2024). "37 Cars Set For 6H Imola, Cadillac Down To Two Drivers". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b "2024 Imola - FIA World Endurance Championship". fiawec.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Watkins, Gary (19 April 2024). "WEC Imola: Ye fastest to lead Ferrari 1-2 in practice". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Kilbey, Stephen (19 April 2024). "#83 AF Corse Ferrari Tops FP1". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (19 April 2024). "Ye Leads Ferrari 1-2 in Imola FP1". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "03_Classification_Free Practice 1.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "07_FastestLapByDriver_Free Practice 1.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (19 April 2024). "Fuoco Keeps Ferrari On Top in Second Practice". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Kilbey, Stephen (19 April 2024). "Ferrari Stays Top In Imola Practice After Fuoco Flyer". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "03_Classification_Free Practice 2.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "07_FastestLapByDriver_Free Practice 2.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Klein, Jamie (20 April 2024). "Ferrari Leads BMW in Final Practice at Imola". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b Kilbey, Stephen (20 April 2024). "Fuoco Keeps Ferrari Fastest Ahead Of Imola Qualifying". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "03_Classification_Free Practice 3.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "07_FastestLapByDriver_Free Practice 3.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "034_Doc 34 - Decision No. 16 - Car 87.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "90_Classification_Qualifying.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "01_Grid_Race.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "088_Doc 88 - Decision No. 53 - Car 6.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "084_Doc 084 - Decision No. 49 - Car 35.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "085_Doc 085 - Decision No. 50 - Car 36.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "092_Doc 092 - Decision No. 62.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "093_Doc 093 - Decision No. 63.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "082_Doc 82 - Decision No. 48 - Car 27.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "081_Doc 81 - Decision No. 47 - Car 15.pdf" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "03_Classification_Hour 6.PDF" (PDF). fiawec.alkamelsystems.com. Alkamel Systems. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.