6 HOURS OF IMOLA: FERRARI TRIUMPHS THROUGH PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGY

The 6 Hours of Imola, round two of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, delivered a legendary victory for Ferrari. In an atmosphere charged with emotion and pride, the Prancing Horse returned to glory on home soil, evoking memories of a golden era—specifically the 1973 1000 km of Monza, when Jacky Ickx and Brian Redman clinched victory in the iconic 312 PB.

This win at the Santerno circuit wasn’t just payback for last year’s near-miss—it was a clear statement about the strength of the 499P LMH. Following back-to-back wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and 2024, a triumph in Austin, and a clean sweep at the 1812 km of Qatar earlier this season, Ferrari once again proved its dominance—this time on the highly technical Imola track.

The victory highlighted the remarkable adaptability of Maranello’s Hypercar. From practice sessions to qualifying, the 499Ps stayed consistently at the top of the timesheets, building momentum with every lap and sealing their supremacy with a commanding performance in qualifying.

Race day, however, was anything but straightforward. Strategic calls, changing rhythms, safety car interruptions, and unpredictable weather kept teams on edge. But Ferrari’s pit wall remained composed, executing every move with precision. In the end, the No. 51 crew—Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi—brought the plan to life.

Giovinazzi set the tone with a stunning Hyperpole lap, clocking in over seven tenths faster than the nearest competitor. Calado took the start from pole and controlled the pace in the opening stint, before handing the car back to Giovinazzi for the middle leg. Pier Guidi took over for the final stretch—a tense, tactical phase of the race.

As the clouds darkened and a few rain drops began to fall, Pier Guidi faced the most challenging conditions of the day. With rival teams running alternate strategies, the No. 51 had to dig deep. Ferrari made a bold tire call—initially changing only the right side to save time—but when the pace didn’t improve, they brought the car back in for fresh rubber on the left as well.

Meanwhile, the No. 50 Ferrari had a tougher task, starting from the back of the Hypercar field and working its way forward. AF Corse’s No. 83 entry, which had launched from the front row, remained in contention deep into the race. All three Ferraris began the race on Michelin Medium tires due to cooler track temps, with the No. 51 and No. 83 later opting for a full tire change, while the 51 initially gambled on a split set.

In the end, it was a team effort of the highest order—a blend of driving skill, strategic intelligence, and pure passion. Ferrari didn’t just win—they owned the moment, celebrating in front of their fans and writing a new chapter in a storybook legacy that keeps growing.

© Cavalieri Garage & Co.