Molina Relishing Promotion to Full-Time Ferrari GTE-Pro Drive

Recently promoted full-time Ferrari GTE-Pro driver Miguel Molina says that his new FIA World Endurance Championship role had been his primary aim since he joined the Italian manufacturer in 2017.

The Spaniard was placed in the No. 71 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo for the 2019-20 season, replacing Sam Bird whose Formula E commitments prevented him from taking part.

Molina, who was previously Ferrari’s main reserve, last had a full-time WEC drive two seasons ago when he spearheaded one of the marque’s customer GTE-Am lineups.

“For me, this is the best place that I can be in the Ferrari Competizione GT program,” Molina told Sportscar365.

“I’m really happy to be here and to take part in this amazing championship. It’s really competitive. To become a full-season driver is something I have been looking forward to since the beginning.”

Molina believes that his prior experience in the Ferrari, which included three race drives last season, will set him in good stead for his more permanent 2019-20 involvement.

“The aim, from the beginning, is to start as well as possible,” he said, ahead of the 4 Hours of Silverstone which he is contesting with Davide Rigon. 

“We have good options. We are improving in-house all the systems and the levels that we have. That’s really important for having better performances.

“Davide and I have known each other for a long time already. We have already been racing together for two years in Blancpain, and in the No. 71 crew at Le Mans.

“I think this means that we can start at a high level because we know each other and the team very well.”

GT3 Program Likely to be Slimmed in 2020

Molina isn’t sure if he will be able to continue racing in multiple GT3 competitions next year, based on his expanded WEC role.

His current schedule includes full-season drives in Blancpain GT World Challenge America, Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli.

Molina was forced to sacrifice his Blancpain GT America points lead because the championship is clashing with the Silverstone WEC round this weekend.

“The first priority is the WEC,” he said. “After that, next year, we will see. This year I am doing four championships, so I need to reduce this amount because it takes up a lot of energy.

“Right now, I’m not so [busy with WEC] because everything happened at the last moment.

“But when we start to develop the car more, it takes up much more time. That’s why I need to reduce what I’m doing on the side.

“For sure, I hope [to do] at least one GT3 championship. I think the better compromise would be to do WEC and one full season in GT3. It keeps you fresh and alert, so it’s good to have.”