Ferrari went off the pitch for the third time in three races of the long-distance World Cup (WEC). However, AF Corse surprised with the victory of the Ferraris #51 (Pier Guidi/Calado/Giovinazzi), which made the slower impression in the race than the #50 (fuoco/molina/nielsen) over long distances from Spa 2025.
But in the final phase, Alessandro Pier Guidi correctly turned up in the #51 and gave the actually faster #50 between the penultimate and last pit stop for 30 seconds in a three -quarters. How was that possible?
The solution is in different strategies: Ferrari has been splitting the strategies since the Imola Debacle 2024 between its two 499p, this time. While the #51 inserted the splash-and-dash, the #50 fuel saved. The tactics to stop again was the better one, so #51 finally won.
Salvi: “Didn’t have to throw coin”
After the Safety Car Restart in Runde 99, both Ferrari were approximately on the same way as for the lap time. The average times until the pit stop in round 123/124: – Antonio fuoco #50: 2: 05.970 minutes – Alessandro Pier Guidi #51: 2: 06.473 minutes
The strategies were only split at the final stop. Nicklas Nielsen rose to #50, while Alessandro Pier Guidi stayed in the #51. Now there are both lap times (FCY and the final pit stop of the #51 out) the following picture: – Nicklas Nielsen #50: 2: 06.830 minutes – Alessandro Pier Guidi #51: 2: 05.678 minutes
Pier Guidi was an average of 1.2 seconds faster per round than the fuel -saving Nielsen! So he drove out the crucial lead. In addition, the stop in round 122 for the #51 was shorter because it was not fueled, so that Pier Guidi was already twelve seconds.
Ferrari operations manager Giuliano Salvi explains: “What we did was a natural split. It was not a decision that we imposed on the team. Both crews have taken a different direction independently of each other – one wanted to drive with a final splash, the other avoid and save fuel. For me, that was the easiest job – I did not have to throw coin.”
According to Salvi, the outcome was by no means foreseeable: “It was not clear which variant would work better in the end. But with the division we covered all possible scenarios – that was crucial. And ultimately it paid off.”
Pier Guidi in his element
And what was the reason for the driver change from Fuoco on Nielsen? Salvi explains: “Nicklas has a driving style that is gentle on tires and fuel consumption – that was crucial in this phase.”
But that was no longer enough to beat the Pier Guidi, which is dragging. The #50, in the last stint, managed to drive a total of 27 rounds with a tank filling – three more than usual – but in the end the price was too high: “The performance was not good in this phase,” Salvi admits. “In retrospect, it was probably not the best solution.”
According to Salvi, the reason for the speed of Pier Guidi was also in the set-up of the car: “Ale was in very good shape. We worked a lot this year on how we use the Michelin tires better-especially about double input. The car was tuned to him, and he understood exactly what he had to do with the tire set in the last phase.”
FCY helps in the fight against Mick Schumacher
The displayed graphic at the end of the race already showed that the fuel strategy of the #50 was on knife cutting edge: the #50 had exactly zero percent in virtual energy tank when crossing the finish line. Because the amount of energy is limited, the vehicles do not roll out without fuel, they would only be punished if they exceed the maximum amount of energy per stint.
There was no punishment, but Salvi confirmed: “In the end we really had zero. Nothing. Only the minimum to get through the technical follow -up.”
The #50 succeeded in staying in front of Mick Schumacher, which put pressure on the Alpine #36 (Gounon/Makowiecki/Schumacher) from behind. In the end, however, Nicklas Nielsen managed the balancing act, which helped Ferrari to win. The alpine finished third.