We are back with the second instalment of our new motorsport column, but Lady Luck still fails to smile on the Prancing Horse. Notable racing events in the past two weeks include the FIA Motorsport Games, the F1 US Grand Prix and the WEC 4 Hours of Shanghai. None of these ended up like the guys in Maranello wanted to.
Bad luck for the Ferrari 488
In the world of Competizioni GT, the FIA Motorsport Games saw a total of five nations (Italy included, of course) being powered by our beloved red machinery. The Ferrari 488 GT3, however, suffered in Vallelunga's bad weather. In the GT Cup main event, only one of the five Ferraris on track made it to the chequered flag.
A better fate seemingly awaited the 488 GTE, on track today for the 4 Hours of Shanghai. The #51 crew Calado - Pier Guidi had managed to bring home an unexpected win, the first on Chinese soil for Ferrari. Unfortunately, the car was later disqualified when post-race scrutineering found it non-compliant by a very small margin, due to a first lap contact. The Prancing Horse, however, has not accepted the validity of the decision and has already challenged it, by declaring its intention to appeal.
Looking for payback in Brazil
As far as F1 goes, the latest race weekend hasn't been any kinder to Maranello. The United States Grand Prix saw Ferrari fall to its demise with a structural suspension failure for Sebastian Vettel. An unexpected bad stint, coming from bad tyre strategy, also ruined Leclerc's chances: the Monegasque ended in P4.
With both titles already to Mercedes, Ferrari can at least look for payback at Interlagos: the track has a very special history for the Prancing Horse. Here, Kimi Raikkonen won the team both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship in 2007 and Felipe Massa helped to secure another Constructors' the following year, despite some serious last corner heartbreak. It's just five days till lights go out in Brazil!
Written by Aurora Dell'Agli
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