WEC: Ferrari claims COTA pole
Antonio Giovinazzi, driving the #51 Ferrari 499P, clinched pole position at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas for round six of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, the Lone Star Le Mans, after an epic Hyperpole session
The Italian set a blistering lap time of 1:50.390s, earning the #51 Ferrari AF Corse its first top spot of the season in what was also Ferrari’s second pole position of the season.
Robert Kubica, in the #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, completed a 1-2 finish for the Prancing Horse, with the yellow 499P clocking in just 0.277s behind Giovinazzi’s best.
The #2 Cadillac Racing Hypercar, driven by Alex Lynn, secured third place after a late lap, edging out the #35 Alpine driven by Charles Milesi, who surprised everyone with an excellent qualifying performance.
Antonio Fuoco, in the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P, qualified fifth, ensuring that three Ferraris occupied the top five positions.
Mick Schumacher, in the #36 Alpine A424, missed out on Hyperpole after grappling with a door hatch issue when an insect entered the cockpit during qualifying.
The championship-leading #6 Porsche Penske 963 Hypercar will start a lowly 14th in the Hypercar class after Kevin Estre struggled to set a quick lap in the qualifying session.
There was disappointment for Sébastien Buemi and the #8 Toyota crew, as the Swiss driver failed to make it into the Hyperpole session and will start 12th.
Heart of Racing Aston Martin Takes LMGT3 Pole
Ian James, in the #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage, delivered a spectacular pole position by setting a brilliant lap of 2:05.587s.
The American-Brit secured the first pole for the Heart of Racing team on its home circuit.
Sharing the front row is Sarah Bovy in the Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracán, who lapped just 0.172s behind the pole time.
The championship-leading #92 Manthey PureRxcing Porsche 911 RSR GT3, driven by Aliaksandr Malykhin, placed fourth, making it four different manufacturers in the top four.
Additionally, two-time FIA WEC class champion Ben Keating is making his series comeback this weekend, driving Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang GT3. The 53-year-old qualified ninth.