Ferrari Responds to No. 50 Car Le Mans Disqualification

Ferrari has responded to the disqualification of the No. 50 499P from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, stating it gained “no competitive advantage” after a technical infringement in relation to the rear wing was found in post-race scrutineering.

Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen and Miguel Molina were stripped of their fourth place finish in the 93rd running of the French endurance classic on Sunday.

The car’s rear wing support was found to not be in compliance with the deflection test, while four bolts were found to have been missing from the rear wing support, as per the car’s homologation.

According to the stewards bulletin, a team mechanic initially noticed that only a single bolt was missing, something Ferrari reiterated as part a statement issued on Tuesday.

It also went on to refute claims that the No. 50 machine had a potential performance advantage as a result of the wing deflection, pointing out that the high top speed referenced in the stewards decision came because the car ran in the slipstream of the sister car.

“As reported by the Stewards, during the No. 50 car’s last pit stop at 3:23 p.m. on Sunday, 15 June, a Ferrari-AF Corse team mechanic noticed that only one of the bolts securing the central rear wing support was missing,” the statement read.

“Given the design of the element, the absence of one or more of these components did not compromise the car’s safety in any way.

“The subsequent loss of the remaining bolts during the final 37 minutes of the race provided no advantage in terms of performance or the final standings.

“The top speed of the number 50 499P reported by the Stewards in their decision was recorded during the car’s final seven laps while it was running in the slipstream of its sister car, the number 51 499P.

“While surprised by the decision, Ferrari reaffirms its complete confidence in the professionalism and integrity of its team, in the actions taken, and in its respect for the regulations governing the FIA World Endurance Championship.

“With full confidence in those same regulations, even though the incident in question offered no competitive advantage to the crew, nor did it compromise the safety of our drivers or that of other competitors, Ferrari is already at work ahead of the next rounds of a season that resumes under the global spotlight in July, in Brazil.”