The 2 producers that may line up behind the Ferrari top-three block-out on the grid consider the Italian marque will preserve its qualifying benefit within the six-hour race.
“We are attempting to be optimistic however, on pure tempo, we aren’t there with Ferrari,” stated Porsche driver Kevin Estre, who took fourth place aboard the #6 963 LMDh in Saturday’s Hyperpole qualifying session.
“In fact, it’s an extended race and there may be technique to return into play and the possibility of contact, however to race with them might be troublesome and passing them might be very troublesome.”
Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe technical director David Floury was much more despondent about his group’s possibilities within the Imola 6 Hours.
“I don’t see how we could be longing for the race,” stated Floury.
“Ferrari is powerful on lengthy runs, slightly bit lower than we’ve got seen in quali by way of the hole however nonetheless out of attain.
“I believe they’ll go 1-2-3 in entrance, after which most likely the Porsche and ourselves, Porsche slightly bit higher than us.”
Kamui Kobayashi was the best-placed Toyota driver in sixth place with a time aboard the #7 GR010 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercar that left him 9 tenths off Antonio Fuoco’s pole-winning Ferrari 499P LMH.
#7 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota GR010 – Hybrid: Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries
Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Floury prompt that the second Toyota would have been “in the identical ballpark” however for Brendon Hartley’s spin, which resulted within the New Zealander finishing just one push lap on the best way to eighth place in Hyperpole.
“That was kind of the place we may very well be,” stated Floury.
“We are going to do one of the best we will within the race and attempt to get two vehicles within the factors.”
Estre, who ended up six tenths off the tempo and one other couple of tenths up on team-mate Matt Campbell, expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the manufacturing unit Porsche Penske Motorsport group thus far at a circuit on which it was anticipating to battle.
“In case you take a look at the calendar, this monitor appeared probably the most scary for us,” he defined.
“This monitor is so completely different to wherever else we race; it’s undoubtedly not suiting our automotive greatest.
“Once we got here testing right here a month in the past the automotive wasn’t good, however the group has finished a extremely good job in placing the automotive in a greater place.”
The Imola 6 Hours, spherical two of the 2024 WEC, begins at 13:00 native time.