Ferrari wins first WEC Manufacturers’ title in 53 years - double secured with first Drivers’ title
Ferrari secured an historical Manufacturers’ title in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the final race of the season in Bahrain, the first for 53 years.
The Prancing Horse also secured the Drivers’ title, with drivers Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi in the AF Corse 499P number 51 finishing fourth at the chequered flag.
In only their third year back at the top level of endurance racing, Ferrari were helped to their Manufacturers’ title by sister car number 50, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, finishing in third place.
It is the ninth overall endurance title won by Ferrari, following those achieved in 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1972.
It is also the first major Manufacturers’ title to head back to Maranello since the Formula 1 crown in 2008. The Drivers’ title is Ferrari’s first in endurance and comes 18 years after its last success which came in F1, courtesy of Kimi Räikkönen in 2007.
Jenson Button finishes 16th in final professional race
The race in Bahrain was also notable for being the final professional outing of Jenson Button’s career. The 45-year-old finished 16th for Team Jota and reflected on an illustrious career in racing, with the 2009 F1 title for Brawn GP undoubtedly being the highlight.
Button said: "I have no regrets at all. I've done everything I wanted to do in my career and more.
"It's the right time to stop. Racing takes a lot of commitment - travel, preparation, the mental load - and I want to spend that energy elsewhere now.
"My kids are growing up fast and I don't want to miss those moments.
"I don't feel like I've left anything on the table. I'm content with what I've achieved."
Hamilton & Leclerc struggle in Sao Paolo
In stark contrast to Ferrari’s success in Bahrain, the Prancing Horse had a weekend to forget in Sao Paolo, as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc retired before the end of the Grand Prix.
It means that both Ferrari drivers are yet to win a race this season, with Hamilton describing his debut season in red as "a nightmare". The Brit collided with Carlos Sainz on the opening lap before picking up damage during an attempted overtake of Franco Colapinto a lap later, resulting in a five-second penalty. Despite heading into the pits to repair the front wing damage, the collisions left Hamilton with a lack of pace, and he was forced to retire the car in last position on lap 39.
Leclerc’s race had promised plenty, having secured third place on the starting grid following an impressive qualifying session. The Monogasque driver was able to avoid any contact during the opening lap to maintain third position; however, this all changed after receiving a broken front left suspension as a result of a collision between Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri. Leclerc had to retire the car soon after.
All is not lost at Ferrari, with second place in the Constructors’ Championship still up for grabs in an otherwise disappointing season. Looking towards next season, there have been rumours about potential interest in the services of Christian Horner, although Ferrari has denied this saying they are committed to current Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, who this season signed a new multi-year deal to remain with the Prancing Horse.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Ferrari