Top-level endurance racing returns to Imola for the first time in 40 years this weekend for the inaugural 6 Hours of Imola.
A 19-strong Hypercar contingent from Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Isotta Fraschini, Lamborghini, Peugeot and Porsche will battle it out on the famed Northern Italian circuit, with Kiwis Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber included on the entry list.
The second round of the World Endurance Championship replaces last season’s event at Monza, which is currently undergoing renovations.
Toyota Gazoo Racing is looking to bounce back from a difficult Qatar 1812km, where their #7 entry of Nyck De Vries, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi finished fifth, and Hartley, Sebastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa were eighth in the #8.
Porsche Penske won the race with their #6 entry of Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer and Laurens Vanthoor, while their #5 963 was third. Hertz Team Jota split the pair, making for an all-Porsche 963 podium.
Toyota and Ferrari have received the most significant breaks in the Balance of Performance for Imola, with the GR010 HYBRID LMH losing 29kg and gaining 6kW. The 499P Le Mans-winning Hypercar dropped 34 kilograms and had its maximum power raised by 7kW (9bhp).
Hartley has only raced at Imola once before, in the European Le Mans Series in 2013. Driving partner Ryo Hirakawa won at the circuit in 2016, while Buemi is debuting at the track.
“The Italian passion for motor racing is legendary, and we’re heading to home territory for Ferrari, so the atmosphere at Imola should be amazing,” said Hartley. “I’m expecting a special weekend and a particularly tight battle at the front.
“In Qatar, we saw how close the battle is in Hypercar, and that will be the case again.
“No one can afford to make even the smallest mistake in qualifying or the race because, with such close competition, you can lose a lot of positions. We all need to be on top form to challenge at the front.”
Hirakawa added, “Imola is another new track to learn with our GR010 HYBRID, but I tested a Formula 1 car there last month and raced an LMP2 in ELMS a few years ago, so I am quite familiar with the layout.
“I expect it will be exciting to drive with a Hypercar, and it should be spectacular for the fans. I hope this track will be more suited to our car compared to Qatar, which was a difficult weekend.
“The team has worked hard to prepare and find ways to come back stronger. I can’t wait to get started.”
Bamber rejoins Alex Lynn in Chip Ganassi’s Cadillac Racing entry for a two-driver lineup, having been disqualified from fourth in the Qatar 1812km for non-compliant bodywork.
Qualifying for the 6 Hours of Imola begins at 12.45 am NZST on Sunday, with the race starting at 11.00 pm that evening.
New Zealand fans can tune in on the World Endurance Series’ official app with a paid subscription.
Header Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing
