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Date 16.-17.06.2012
Laps 378
Distance 5.151,762 km / 3.201,841 miles
No Driver Ferrari S/N Team Result
51
Giancarlo Fisichella
Gianmaria Bruni
Toni Vilander
458 GTC
F 142 GT 28xx
AF Corse
17. overall/ 1. in class LMGTE Pro
           
57 Tracy W. Krohn
Niclas Jönsson
Michele Rugolo
458 GTC F 142 GT 2844 Krohn Racing 25. overall/ 3. in class LMGTE Am
           
58
Pierre Ehret
Frankie Montecalvo
Gunnar Jeannette
458 GTC
F 142 GT 2834
Luxury Racing
retired
           
59
Frederic Makowiecki
Jaime Melo
Dominik Farnbacher
458 GTC
F 142 GT 2832
Luxury Racing
18. overall/ 2. in class LMGTE Pro
           
61
Robert Kauffman
Rui Aguas
Brian Vickers
458 GTC
F 142 GT 2826
AF Corse-Waltrip
31. overall/ 6. in class LMGTE Am
           
66
Jonny Cocker
James Walker
Roger Wills
458 GTC
F 142 GT 28xx
JMW Motorsport
retired
           
71
Andrea Bertolini
Olivier Beretta
Marco Cioci
458 GTC
F 142 GT 2848
AF Corse
22. overall/ 4. in class LMGTE Pro
           
81
Pierguiseppe Perazzini
Matt Griffin
Nicola Cadei
458 GTC
F 142 GT 2822
AF Corse
retired
           
83
Manuel Rodrigues
Philippe Illiano
Alain Ferte
458 GTC
F 142 GT 28xx
JMB Racing
32. overall/ 7. in class LMGTE Am

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Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari takes an extraordinary one-two

Posted: 17.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 17 June – The curtain has come down on the eightieth Le Mans 24 Hours, the classic endurance race held at La Sarthe, which was also the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The AF Corse Ferrari has added its name to the list of Le Mans winners, thanks to a victory for Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander, at the end of a perfectly managed race that had started on the back foot, after the car was badly damaged in an accident in free practice on Wednesday.

AF Corse was the only Italian team entered in the most important endurance race in the world and its Ferrari took the lead in the tenth hour, staying there to the chequered flag. Their dominance was such that the drivers were able to manage their lead in the final hours, thus running calmly to the end to stand on the topmost step of the podium, to the great satisfaction of Ferrari and the team, the latter thus getting their name on the winners’ roll of honour for the first time at La Sarthe.

Runner-up was another Maranello machine, run by Luxury Racing in the hands of a crew made up of Frederic Makowiecki, Dominik Farnbacher and Jaime Melo, thus confirming the excellent performance of our cars. Fourth in class was the other AF Corse Ferrari 458 GT2, No. 71, driven by Marco Cioci, Andrea Bertolini and Olivier Beretta.

In the GTE AM category, the best of the Ferraris entered was the Krohn Racing teama car (Niclas Jonsson, Michele Rugolo and Tracy Krohn) which finished on the podium in third, while a sixth place went to crew made up of Robert Kauffman, Rui Aguas and Brian Vickers, entered by AF Corse-Waltrip. Unfortunately, the AF Corse Ferrari No. 81 (Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Niki Cadei and Matt Griffin) did not make it the finish, retiring after an accident.

The next round of the FIA World Endurance Championship takes place at Silverstone over the weekend of 26 August.

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Fisichella, Bruni and Vilander: “Winning the Le Mans 24 Hours is a team effort”

Posted: 17.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 17 June – The excitement following this amazing win just achieved at Le Mans and the awareness that it’s a truly important result, down to the work of the team, has united the comments of the drivers who delivered this great result.

It was a case of joy and satisfaction for Giancarlo Fisichella, who had this to say after crossing the line: “This is the most important race of the year and at the end of it, we achieved our objective. The win was especially down to the incredible efforts of the AF Corse guys who had to change the chassis after the accident on Wednesday, delivering a car that was better than anyone could have expected. I did not think I would be make it out on track for the final twenty minutes of qualifying, however thanks to their efforts, the miracle happened. Thanks guys, thank you to Amato and to Ferrari…and to everyone who contributed to this win.”

The 24 Hours is the most sought after prize in the career of a driver, even for a race veteran like Toni Vilander. “Today, we have taken the most important win in the GT class. Ferrari and AF Corse did a great job of preparing for it and they were incredible when it came to repairing the car in practice. We all believed, from start to finish and this is the result.”

One of those who believed in it the most was definitely Gimmi Bruni, who inevitably thought back to the disappointment of 2011, citing it as a something that spurred him on this tme. “After what happened last year, when we lost the race in the final hour, this year was a nice revenge. The win came thanks to a long period of preparation and testing which kept us busy all year. The mechanics were fantastic and my team-mates were perfect. That’s the only way to win a 24 hour race, all working together. Also after the accident, the team did not get demoralized and out on track, we did our bit to pay them back for their efforts.”

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Fantastic Ferrari victory at Le Mans Amato Ferrari: “It’s been an exceptional weekend”

Posted: 17.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 17 June 2012 – Ferrari has secured an amazing result, thanks to the AF Corse team winning the Le Mans 24 Hours, the oldest and most famous endurance race in the world. First past the chequered flag was car No. 51, driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander. It was an incredible fight back, after the car had been seriously damaged in Wednesday’s free practice.

Commenting on this truly memorable result, the AF Corse team boss, Amato Ferrari said: “ It has been an exceptional weekend. Winning at Le Mans with Ferrari is very satisfying because this is the most important endurance race in the world. It was a struggle at first, but the team reacted in the right way, managing to take my three drivers to the win.”

Amato Ferrari also wanted to comment on the fourth place secured by Andrea Bertolini, Marco Cioci and Olivier Beretta in his second car in the LMGTE PRO class. “I also thank the drivers of car 71 for their great showing who, but for a few little problems, could have helped us to the one-two finish that was within our grasp. Really, a great day.”

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Montezemolo: “A victory important in three way at Le Mans”

Posted: 17.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Maranello, 17 June – President Luca di Montezemolo was keen to underline the fact that this win for the 458 Italia in the Le Mans 24 Hours is important for Ferrari on three fronts. He was happy with the efforts of the AF Corse team that took victory in the GTE-PRO class of the most prestigious endurance race in the world.

“It is an important victory, in an important race which has always been important in the history of Ferrari,” Montezemolo told www.ferrari.com. “It further pleases me that two Italians, Giancarlo Fisichella and Gimmi Bruni stood on the top step of the podium, along with Toni Vilander. This one-two at Le Mans proves that the amazing 458 is truly competitive. My congratulations and those of everyone at Ferrari go to the AF Corse team, its engineers, mechanics and naturally, its drivers.”

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Antonello Coletta: “Le Mans win a team effort”

Posted: 17.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 17 June – The head of Corse Clienti, Antonello Coletta was justifiably proud of the amazing win secured by the AF Corse team at Le Mans this weekend. “This victory was down to the company and the excellent performance demonstrated by our cars in such a demanding race. It was even more special, as it came thanks to the efforts of the AF Corse team that showed great professionalism in rebuilding a car from scratch and ensuring it was competitive, after the major accident in free practice and finally the win is also a success for the Corse Clienti department which for the third time in its history has won this prestigious race (in 2008 and 2009 with Risi Competizione and now this year with AF Corse.)

“Italy has returned to winning ways at La Sarthe with a victory that came from an Italian team, thanks to the talents of a predominantly Italian driver line-up. I am proud therefore that Ferrari has contributed to delivering this really important result.”

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari takes the win in Le Mans 24 Hours Head of Engines, Jean-Jacques His sends his congratulations

Posted: 17.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 17 June – The AF Corse Ferrari 458 GT2 has won the eightieth Le Mans 24 Hours race, which this year counts towards the new FIA World Endurance Championship, with its crew of Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander. Congratulations for the team run by Amato Ferrari came from Jean-Jacques His, Ferrari’s head of Engines, just days after the company’s V8 had been awarded the “Best Performance Engine” prize, for the second year running at the “International Engine of the Year Awards.” “I am particularly pleased with this amazing result,” commented His. “And I want to congratulate the entire team and the drivers for their performance in this important race. I am very happy that, in such a demanding race, we have demonstrated the quality of our engine, in terms of efficiency and performance. A further confirmation of that came from the fact a Ferrari entered by Luxury Racing took second place and, just like the Italian team, also had an excellent race.”

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari supports earthquake victims at Le Mans 24 Hours

Posted: 16.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 16 June – While racing in the Le Mans 24 Hours, Ferrari has not forgotten the families of victims of the earthquakes that have hit Italy’s Emilia Romagna area. Both AF Corse cars entered in the Pro class, carry the words “Auction for Emilia” the name of the big on-line auction, proceeds from which go to support the badly affected area. The slogan is also on the helmet of Andrea Bertolini, himself from that area, who wanted to show his support in these difficult times.

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari drivers in the Le Mans 24 Hours parade

Posted: 15.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 15 June – The traditional parade of drivers held through the streets of the town of Le Mans has now become an unmissable attraction as part of the Le Mans 24 Hours weekend. In front of a crowd of over 150,000 race fans from around the world, all the Ferrari crews drove past in historic cars. “Meeting the Le Mans crowd is always something special,” said Giancarlo Fisichella at the end of this special display. “You can feel the enthusiasm as the people applaud and cheer. The parade is always a great welcome and I’m sure it’s just the boost we need to get a good result.” Tomorrow, the crew of Fisichella, Gimmi Bruni and Toni Vilander will start from the back of the grid, as the AF Corse team had to change the chassis on Ferrari No. 51, following a crash in Thursday’s free practice.

 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Luxury Racing Ferrari on pole for Le Mans 24 Hours

Posted: 14.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 14 June –The final and decisive qualifying session for the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, this year a round of the new FIA World Endurance Championship ended on the stroke of midnight. Of the nine 458 GT2 cars flying the Ferrari flag, the best time was set by the No. 59 car of the Luxury Racing team, in the hands of Frederick Makowiecki, who with a time of 3.55.393, took pole in the LMGTE Pro class ahead of the Aston Martin No. 97 and the Corvette No. 74.

Fourth was the AF Corse No. 71 car, with the JMW Motorsport No. 66 car eighth in 4.00.883. There were some surprises too, when with only 44 minutes remaining, the AF Corse mechanics managed to get the rebuilt No. 51 car back on track, with Toni VIlander at the wheel managing to complete the requisite number f laps to qualifying, even it will start from ninth in class.

In the GTE-AM category, for both professional and amateur drivers, the best Ferrari placine went to the second Luxury Racing car, No. 58, which was fourth in 4.00.849.

Tomorrow is entirely given over to final preparations on the car and the traditional parade through the town centre, with the start of the race taking place at 15h00 on Saturday.
 

Le Mans 24 Hours: Race against time for Ferrari no. 51

Posted: 14.06.2012
Source: Ferrari

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Le Mans, 14 June – In yesterday’s free practice the AF Corse Ferrari no. 51, one of the favourites in the LMGTE PRO class, was seriously damaged while Giancarlo Fisichella was at the wheel. Damage to the left rear of the chassis was too bad to be repaired and it thus needed to be changed. This was allowed by the FIA and ACO Stewards as it was deemed to be a case of force majeure. Now the challenge will be the race against time, to get it ready before the race starts at 15h00 on Saturday.

At the moment, it’s not clear if the crew will be able to contest the final qualifying session, but if this is not possible, they would still be able take part in the race, starting from the back of the grid. All three drivers, Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander have completed the necessary number of night time laps as per the rules, running in another AF Corse Ferrari, no. 71.

 

Le Mans 24 Hours – A set back for the AF Corse Ferrari No. 51
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 13 June AF Corse’s Le Mans 24 Hours adventure has not exactly got off to a good start. During the third hour of free practice, the Ferrari no. 51, which at the time was being driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, crashed heavily at the Porsche corner.
Fortunately, the driver is uninjured, but the car is seriously damaged, enough to raise doubts if it can be repaired in a short time.

Nine Ferraris for 24 Hours of excitement
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 13 June –The Le Mans 24 Hours race takes place this weekend, as a round of the newly created FIA World Endurance Championship. In this the eightieth running of the world’s most famous endurance race, Ferrari will be represented by nine 458 GT2 cars, four in the GTE Pro class and five in the GTE-AM category for both professional and amateur drivers.

The only Italian team chasing victory is AF Corse, with highly rated drivers and car 51’s line up is Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander, while at the wheel of Ferrari number 71, there’s a very promising crew in the shape of Andrea Bertolini, Olivier Beretta and Marco Cioco, who have already won the opening round of the WEC season, the Sebring 12 Hours. Cioci has several AM class races under his belt with AF Corse, Beretta is one of the most successful drivers on the grid, with six Le Mans wins. For Bertolini this will be his first attempt at tackling the La Sarthe circuit, even though he can boast plenty of endurance racing experience. Also sporting Ferrari colours is the Luxury Racing crew of Frédéric Makowiecki, Dominik Farnbacher and Jaime Melo e the JMW Motorsport car driven by Jonny Cocker, James Walker and Roger Wills.

In the GTE AM class, the Amato Ferrari run team lines up two cars: the no. 81 458 in the hands of Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Niki Cadei and Matt Griffin, and no 60 driven by Robert Kauffman, Rui Aguas and Brian Vickers, the latter car run in collaboration with Michael Waltrip Racing.Completing the line up, Ferrari n° 57 of Krohn Racing with Tracy Krohn, Niclas Jonsson and Michele Rugolo, who last season took the win in the Sebring 12 Hours and in the Petit Le Mans, as well as the Luxury Racing cars – with Pierre Eheret, Frankie Montecalvo and Gunnar Jeanette – and a JMB Racing entry for Manuel Rodrigues, Philippe Illiano and Alain Ferte.

There are three qualifying session for the marathon event, the first of which takes place today at 22.00, with the other two on Thursday at 19.00 and 21.00. Friday is given over to fine tuning the car and the traditional parade through the centre of the town, while the start is given at 15.00 on Saturday.

 

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