Robert Kubica has tempered expectations relating to the efficiency of the Ferrari 499P after the 24 Hours of Le Mans take a look at day held final Sunday, expressing considerations in regards to the automobile’s “raceability” attributable to its comparatively low energy output above 250 km/h in comparison with different Hypercars.
The skilled Polish driver, who beforehand competed in Formulation 1, set the quickest time throughout the morning session of the take a look at day and adopted with the third-fastest lap within the afternoon. Regardless of his sturdy efficiency, Kubica completed 0.656 seconds behind the quickest benchmark set by Toyota’s Brendon Hartley.
Ferrari’s prime contender on the take a look at was the manufacturing unit No. 51 automobile, pushed by James Calado, who clocked the second-best time within the afternoon session, trailing the No. 8 Toyota by 0.531 seconds.
Traditionally, the Ferrari 499P has been famous for its straight-line pace, contributing to victories within the final two editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Nonetheless, this 12 months’s Stability of Efficiency (BoP) changes have launched a broader unfold of Energy Acquire values throughout all Hypercars.
Whereas Ferrari improved energy output beneath 250 km/h in comparison with final 12 months, the 499P now registers the bottom energy determine above this threshold, producing 500.1 kW, roughly 20 kW lower than probably the most highly effective Hypercar, the BMW M Hybrid V8.
Kubica acknowledged the intentions of the rule-makers to equalize prime speeds however admitted that Ferrari’s relative lack of energy over 250 km/h might current difficulties throughout race circumstances. He identified that pure prime pace numbers don’t inform the total story, as the way in which the automobile reaches that pace considerably impacts efficiency.
He defined that though some vehicles have larger drag, they will attain their prime pace faster, the place uncooked energy is crucial, however effectivity additionally performs a vital function. Kubica famous that Ferrari is the weakest in energy above 250 km/h, which can not favor them in racing, though the ACO goals to keep up aggressive parity.
Robert Kubica additionally highlighted the significance of discovering the proper steadiness between energy and effectivity to optimize the automobile’s efficiency, emphasizing that equality amongst opponents won’t ever be actual.
Relating to his tempo throughout the take a look at day, the Polish racing driver expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the No. 83 Ferrari however talked about that the cool and overcast climate circumstances throughout testing won’t replicate what will likely be skilled throughout race week.
The AF Corse driver urged that whereas the automobile felt good beneath these circumstances, translating that into race efficiency stays unsure. Robert Kubica famous that rising temperatures might considerably impression the automobile, notably with rear tire degradation, primarily based on final 12 months’s expertise.
However, he said that Ferrari has improved the automobile and gained a greater understanding of its conduct, making it an attention-grabbing problem to see how the 499P will carry out beneath hotter circumstances.
When requested in regards to the competitors heading into the official follow classes, Robert Kubica predicted that LMDh producers similar to BMW, Cadillac, Alpine, and Porsche would pose a larger problem than final 12 months’s extra easy duel between Ferrari and Toyota. He noticed that the competitors seems tighter this season, with at the least 5 – 6 producers prone to be very aggressive, particularly in shorter stints.
Robert Kubica defined that efficiency will fluctuate over the 24-hour race relying on circumstances and race phases. He famous that the LMDh vehicles have made important progress since final 12 months, with BMW notably bettering its consistency over a full race distance.
The AF Corse driver additionally expects Cadillac to be aggressive, citing their sturdy displaying in Qatar, together with Alpine, which he considers to have excessive potential, and naturally, Porsche, rounding out a powerful area of at the least six producers prone to contend for podium finishes.
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