Lusail, February 28, 2024 – The Ferrari 296 LMGT3 duo, nicknamed the ‘Fierce Felines’, are off to a roaring start in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, after a purr-fect performance at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. With their sleek design and powerful engines, the two Vista AF Corse-run machines have clawed their way through the competition during the two-day Prologue, marking their territory on the 5.380-km race track.
The number 54 team, consisting of Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci, and Ferrari’s own speed maestro Davide Rigon, encountered a minor hiccup with a flow meter issue. Still, like a cat with nine lives, they bounced back to clock a second-place finish with a time of 1:54.542. Not to be outdone, the number 55 crew, featuring François Heriau, Simon Mann, and Ferrari’s Alessio Rovera, worked their magic on the car’s set-up to leap to ninth place with a lap time of 1:55.132.
On the hunt for victory, the second day saw Flohr-Castellacci-Rigon reaffirm their second-place prowess, while Heriau-Mann-Rovera sharpened their claws, improving to fourth. The pack is now gearing up for the championship’s kickoff on February 29, with free practices and the much-anticipated Qatar 1812 km race set to test their mettle.
Davide Rigon, of the #54 team, shared his excitement about overcoming the early obstacle and getting the 296 LMGT3 ready for its world championship debut. “After smoothing out the initial kinks, we’re thrilled with our progress and the valuable data we’ve gathered, especially regarding tyre wear on this demanding track,” Rigon purred.
Alessio Rovera, steering the #55, reflected on his real versus virtual experience of the Lusail circuit, emphasizing the teamwork and adaptations made to maximize their performance. “The track’s complexity adds to the excitement, and we’re eager to fine-tune our machine during Thursday’s practice sessions. With fierce competitors in the fray, it’s exhilarating to be front-runners in this year’s championship,” Rovera stated, tail twitching in anticipation.
As the FIA WEC 2024 season unfolds, all eyes are on Ferrari’s ‘Fierce Felines’ as they prepare to pounce at the Qatar 1812 km. Will they land on their feet and claim their spot on the podium? Stay tuned for what promises to be a fur-midable display of speed and strategy.
