The 2 producers that can line up behind the Ferrari top-three block-out on the grid imagine the Italian marque will keep 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 come back into play and the prospect of contact, however to race with them can be tough and passing them can be very tough.”
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 may be looking forward to the race,” stated Floury.
“Ferrari is powerful on lengthy runs, a little bit bit lower than we have now seen in quali by way of the hole however nonetheless out of attain.
“I feel they’ll go 1-2-3 in entrance, after which most likely the Porsche and ourselves, Porsche a little bit 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
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Floury steered 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’ll do one of the best we will within the race and attempt to get two automobiles 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.
“If you happen to take a look at the calendar, this monitor regarded probably the most scary for us,” he defined.
“This monitor is so totally different to anyplace else we race; it’s positively not suiting our automobile greatest.
“After we got here testing right here a month in the past the automobile wasn’t good, however the group has finished a extremely good job in placing the automobile in a greater place.”
The Imola 6 Hours, spherical two of the 2024 WEC, begins at 13:00 native time.