Ferrari roars to maiden Hypercar home win at Imola

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Ferrari lit up Imola on Sunday with a landmark victory as the Italian manufacturer stormed to its first-ever Hypercar home win in the World Endurance Championship.

Steered by James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, the #51 scarlet machine claimed glory in the six-hour event, fending off fierce challenges in a race that was anything but straightforward.

Starting from pole, the Ferrari looked poised to dominate, but strategy battles, tyre gambles, and multiple safety car interruptions turned the race into a tactical thriller.

BMW, Alpine, Toyota, and Porsche all loomed large in the closing hours, but it was Ferrari’s cool execution and relentless pace that won the day — by a mere 8.4 seconds.

In front of a passionate home crowd, the 499P delivered a masterclass in endurance racing and added a historic victory to Ferrari’s WEC campaign. Red never looked faster, or more at home, than it did flying through Imola.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.