Antonio Fuoco, an Italian driver known for his impressive one-lap skills, had a remarkable Saturday in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He secured pole position for tomorrow’s Six Hours of Imola, much to the delight of the passionate Ferrari fans, who he credited with providing him with an additional source of motivation during the Hyperpole session.
During Saturday’s qualifying session, Fuoco set the pace for the field, finishing 0.419 seconds ahead with a time of 1:29.466, much to the delight of the Ferrari supporters. The Italian audience at Imola had even more reason to celebrate as Robert Shwartzman in the #83 AF Corse 499P and Alessandro Pier Gudi in the #51 Ferrari secured second and third place respectively.
Achieving a one-two-three finish in qualifying was a dream scenario for Ferrari at their home circuit. Fuoco revealed that his confidence was already high after topping Free Practice Three earlier in the day. He emphasized the challenges of qualifying, particularly dealing with traffic, but praised the performance of his car and his ability to put together a strong lap.
For Ferrari, a legendary name in motorsport, securing pole position holds a special significance. Fuoco acknowledged the added motivation that comes from performing well in front of a home crowd. He pushed himself to the limit, giving 100% effort throughout the qualifying session to secure the top spot on the grid.
Previewing Sunday’s race, the Imola circuit presents an intriguing challenge. Unlike the previous venue in Qatar, Imola offers a narrow and undulating track, often subject to unpredictable weather conditions. Driver Fuoco focuses on the impact of the track’s narrowness, particularly in terms of dealing with traffic during the six-hour race. He emphasizes the need for a calm approach from the start, acknowledging the strong competition and the importance of managing their position. Fuoco praises the team’s efforts leading up to the race and expresses confidence in their preparation and performance.