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The FIA World Endurance Championship is heading to Imola for its next round, a six-hour event around the narrow and twisty circuit in northern Italy.
In the previous race in Qatar, Porsche secured their first WEC victory with the 963, dominating the race and battling with Peugeot for much of the 10 hours. However, the Peugeot 9X8 #93 ran out of fuel on the final lap, relinquishing second place.
Imola presents a different challenge compared to the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Imola has slower corners and is significantly narrower than the newer Qatar circuit. The track layout at Imola also features significant elevation changes, unlike the flat and gradient-free track at Losail. Imola is known for its bumpy surface, with large kerbs lining the track and smaller run-off areas compared to modern standards, composed of grass and gravel.
The competition at Imola will be intense. Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello is nearby, and the Italian team will be eager to win their home race, following their second WEC victory at Le Mans last year. Toyota will also be motivated to secure the top spot on the podium after their disappointing performance in Qatar.
Both Ferrari and Toyota have received weight relief in the Balance of Performance, with Toyota being 29 kg lighter and Ferrari 34 kg lighter.
A Porsche, which was the fastest during the week in Qatar, may face more challenges in Imola due to the characteristics of the track. The 963 performs better on smoother surfaces, so its performance may be affected. However, they are expected to be close to the top, as they continue their successful season in both the WEC and the parallel IMSA program in the United States. The 963 will be the lightest car, with only the Cadillac V-Series.R weighing less. However, it will also be the least powerful and will have the lowest maximum stint energy, which could cause difficulties for the team during the race.
Due to the narrow track and traditional run-off areas, more periods of yellow flag and safety car are expected compared to Qatar, where there were only two brief yellow flags to collect debris. This unpredictability is likely to affect team strategies.
Weather conditions may also play a role, as Imola has hosted several wet races over the years.
Peugeot and its new version of the 9X8 will attract significant interest from fans. The addition of a rear wing increases the rear downforce generated by the floor and diffuser. However, the most significant improvement is the completely redesigned suspension. The 9X8 now has 29/34 tires, with 29-inch tires in the front and 34-inch tires in the rear, compared to the previous version of the car with 31-inch tires on all wheels. This change should provide better traction, especially in slower corners.
Cadillac will seek to recover in Imola after being disqualified in Qatar for involuntarily using non-homologated parts. The ACO and FIA acknowledged that the performance impact of these parts was minimal. Despite this setback, the American team showed promising performance in Qatar and hopes to have better luck in Imola.
The new manufacturers Alpine, Lamborghini, BMW, and Isotta Fraschini will continue to learn about their new cars. Alpine scored points in Qatar, becoming the only new team to do so. Lamborghini and BMW will be eager to score their first points and avoid falling further behind Alpine and the competition. Isotta Fraschini had a good performance in Qatar, but did not finish the race due to penalties while their team familiarized themselves with the WEC rules. They will aim to complete the race in Imola.
In the LMGT3 class, it’s hard to predict who will come out on top. The Porsche Manthey Pxre Racing did well in Qatar, as did the two Aston Martins. The Porsche 911 GT3R #92, driven by Alex Malykhin, Yasser Shahin, and Klaus Bachler, secured the victory in the new LMGT3 class, but the Aston Martin Heart of Racing team finished less than 5 seconds behind.
Valentino Rossi, a legendary motorcycle racer who has turned his attention to cars, made an impressive debut in Qatar. The WEC presents a new challenge for him, and he continues to improve every year.
The new Ford Mustang GT3s still face issues with the rear hood coming loose during races, believed to be an aerodynamic problem. Proton, the team managing the Fords in the WEC competition, is hoping for a better result than ninth place in Qatar.
The Akkodis ASP team, managing the Lexus RC F GT3s, will also seek improved performance in Imola. One of their cars retired in Qatar, and the other finished last. The same goes for the McLaren from United Autosports, which finished at the back of the pack in the season opener.
The 6 Hours of Imola will take place on Sunday, April 21, starting at 1:00 PM local time.
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The Formula 1 driver, Max Verstappen, achieved an impressive victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix this Sunday. Verstappen, from the Red Bull Racing team, surpassed his rivals and crossed the finish line in first place, securing his position as one of the best drivers of the present time.
The race started with Verstappen starting in pole position, and he managed to maintain his position at the front of the pack throughout the race. Despite the pressure from other competitors, the Dutch driver showed skill and determination, staying ahead and not making any mistakes.
Verstappen’s victory is particularly significant as he also clinched the drivers’ world championship title this season. With this win in Brazil, he further extended his lead over the other contenders, solidifying his position as the best driver of the moment.
The Red Bull Racing team also celebrates the victory of their driver, who is one of the youngest to win the world title. At just 26 years old, Verstappen demonstrates exceptional talent and a bright future ahead.
Formula 1 fans around the world are excited about Verstappen’s performance and eagerly await the upcoming races. With his determination and skill, he will surely continue to impress and achieve victories.
The next race will be the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Verstappen will have the opportunity to once again showcase his talent and pursue another victory. Fans and experts are eager to see what the Dutch driver will be able to do and if he can maintain his position at the top.
Verstappen, with his win in Brazil, has once again proven that he is one of the best Formula 1 drivers of the present time. His skill, determination, and talent make him a formidable competitor, and he will surely continue to surprise everyone with his performance on the tracks.
