Robert Kubica has tempered expectations concerning the efficiency of the Ferrari 499P after the 24 Hours of Le Mans check day held final Sunday, expressing considerations concerning the automobile’s “raceability” on account of its comparatively low energy output above 250 km/h in comparison with different Hypercars.
The skilled Polish driver, who beforehand competed in Components 1, set the quickest time throughout the morning session of the check day and adopted with the third-fastest lap within the afternoon. Regardless of his robust efficiency, Kubica completed 0.656 seconds behind the quickest benchmark set by Toyota’s Brendon Hartley.
Ferrari’s high contender on the check was the manufacturing facility 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 velocity, contributing to victories within the final two editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Nonetheless, this 12 months’s Steadiness of Efficiency (BoP) changes have launched a broader unfold of Energy Achieve values throughout all Hypercars.
Whereas Ferrari improved energy output underneath 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 high speeds however admitted that Ferrari’s relative lack of energy over 250 km/h may current difficulties throughout race situations. He identified that pure high velocity numbers don’t inform the complete story, as the best way the automobile reaches that velocity considerably impacts efficiency.
He defined that though some vehicles have increased drag, they will attain their high velocity faster, the place uncooked energy is crucial, however effectivity additionally performs a vital position. 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 take care of aggressive parity.
Robert Kubica additionally highlighted the significance of discovering the best stability between energy and effectivity to optimize the automobile’s efficiency, emphasizing that equality amongst rivals won’t ever be precise.
Relating to his tempo throughout the check day, the Polish racing driver expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the No. 83 Ferrari however talked about that the cool and overcast climate situations throughout testing won’t replicate what might be skilled throughout race week.
The AF Corse driver steered that whereas the automobile felt good underneath these situations, translating that into race efficiency stays unsure. Robert Kubica famous that rising temperatures may 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 underneath hotter situations.
When requested concerning the competitors heading into the official apply classes, Robert Kubica predicted that LMDh producers equivalent to BMW, Cadillac, Alpine, and Porsche would pose a higher 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 or 6 producers prone to be very aggressive, particularly in shorter stints.
Robert Kubica defined that efficiency will differ over the 24-hour race relying on situations and race phases. He famous that the LMDh vehicles have made important progress since final 12 months, with BMW notably enhancing its consistency over a full race distance.
The AF Corse driver additionally expects Cadillac to be aggressive, citing their robust displaying in Qatar, together with Alpine, which he considers to have excessive potential, and naturally, Porsche, rounding out a powerful discipline of at the least six producers prone to contend for podium finishes.
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