Antonio Fuoco Dominates First Practice at Spa in Ferrari Powerhouse
Italian driver Antonio Fuoco set the track on fire during the first FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Spa practice session, leading the pack in the No. 50 AF Corse Ferrari 499P. Fuoco’s lightning-fast lap clocked in at 2m02.835s, leaving his competitors in the dust and showcasing Ferrari’s dominance early on in the competition.
The sister No. 83 AF Corse 499P, piloted by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson, trailed behind Fuoco by two tenths, proving that the Ferrari team is a force to be reckoned with. The No. 36 Alpine Endurance Team A424, driven by Jules Gounon, Frédéric Makowiecki, and Mick Schumacher, secured the third spot, just three tenths off the pace of the leading Ferrari.
The battle for supremacy continued with the No. 93 and No. 94 Peugeot 9X8s not far behind, pushing the limits of speed and precision on the track. Even the Hypercar championship-leading No. 51 Ferrari 499P, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, made its mark despite finishing in eighth place.
As teams grappled with the challenges posed by the resurfaced track areas and the different tire compounds, some faced setbacks. The No. 35 Alpine Endurance Team A424 and the No. 38 Hertz Team Jota Cadillac V Series R encountered issues, causing disruptions on the track and leading to full course yellows.
In the LMGT3 category, Finn Gehrsitz of the No. 78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus RC F LMGT3 set the pace early on, displaying impressive speed and skill. The competition heated up as Francois Heriau in the No. 21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 and others vied for the top spot in a thrilling display of racing prowess.
With the championship-leading No. 33 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R facing challenges carrying success ballast, the stage is set for an intense and unpredictable race at Spa. Stay tuned for more updates as the teams prepare to battle it out for glory in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
