The brake update doesn’t work: Ferrari only got one car into the hyperpole at Fuji – In Japan, it’s all about damage limitation in the world championship battle
Antonio Giovinazzi believes the best Ferrari can hope for is “survival” in the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC) race after a difficult qualifying session for the two works cars at Fuji on Sunday
Giovinazzi struggled to twelfth place in the Ferrari 499P 50 (Fuoco/Molina/Nielsen) of Antonio Fuoco made it into the hyperpole, but the 28-year-old also played no part in the battle for pole position and only finished seventh on the grid.
Ferrari had a tough time in its debut season last year at Fuji Speedway, with both cars finishing one lap behind the winning Toyota. Giovinazzi fears that the Italian marque will suffer another frustrating result on their return to the 4.5km circuit.
Asked to explain Ferrari’s poor showing in qualifying, Giovinazzi told Motorsport.com Global, “I just didn’t have the pace. I got the maximum out of it, but the car was difficult to drive in qualifying today.”
“We’re not starting from a [good] grid position, but it’s a long race so we’ll see what we can do tomorrow. It wasn’t the pace we had in Austin. It was better. For some reason we struggled here last year and it’s the same this year. It’s just not our track. “
He adds: “We have a lot of cars that are better than us: BMW, Alpine, of course Toyota and Porsche, so it’s going to be a tough race tomorrow. We have to survive and see where we will be at the end.”
The 50 Ferrari for second place in the world championship, took fourth place on the grid with Kamui Kobayashi at the wheel.
Fuoco says Ferrari’s aim should be to take the fight to its closest title rivals to put itself in the best possible position for the season finale in Bahrain in November.
“As always, we are here to achieve the maximum and tomorrow we want to fight,” he looks ahead. “Fortunately, the rivals who are fighting for the title with us are right in front of us. We will try to fight with them if we have the chance.”
When asked what would be a good result for Ferrari on Sunday, Fuoco replies: “Survival. Try to finish in the top five. When asked if that is realistic, he adds: “Not really, but we always try to do it. ”