Rovera Was “Struggling With Traction” in Catsburg Battle

A lack of traction due to a gamble to only change two tires at the final pit stop left Alessio Rovera unable to pass Corvette Racing’s Nicky Catsburg in the battle for GTE-Am class victory during Sunday’s 6 Hours of Portimao.

Rovera, sharing the No. 83 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo with Luis Perez Companc and Lilou Wadoux, came up short by a margin of just 0.26 seconds after dueling with Catsburg’s No. 33 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R for much of the final hour.

The Ferrari factory driver made repeated attempts to overtake Catsburg for the class lead, only for the Dutchman to remain out front each time.

Rovera’s strongest attack came on the final lap, when he initially moved to Catsburg’s outside on the run down to the Turn 5 hairpin before maneuvering back inside and trying to accelerate past the Corvette out of the corner.

However, Rovera notably lacked traction on corner exit, allowing Catsburg to retain a race lead that he would convert into victory.

“I was really inside, we changed just the left side tyres, so I was struggling a lot with traction,” Rovera told Sportscar365.

“When I went [on the] power, I completely lost the rear. Honestly, that was a good opportunity.”

The Italian added that he believed Corvette short-fueled during the race’s final round of stops, as AF Corse’s strategic decision to not change all four tires did not result in a time gain.

“We tried something in the pits, but the Corvette, I think they put in less fuel, because they gained something like five seconds in the pit,” Rovera said.

“Honestly, we tried to pass them in the pit, changing just the left side, but it didn’t work.”

Catsburg, for his part, confirmed Rovera’s suggestion.

“Yeah, we did,” the Dutchman told Sportscar365 when asked if Corvette Racing went short on its final fuel stop.

 “I think we stopped later than all of them the stop before, so yes, we did have a bit of an advantage. But I think the team was amazing. They were so fast on their stops.

“So every time we got out with a big lead and without that today we wouldn’t have won.”

Catsburg went on to praise Rovera’s race craft, complimenting the Italian for the clean nature of the battle.

“I was happy once it was over because I saw how quickly he was coming. He had so much pace. It was kind of demotivating hearing the gap all the time.

“But it’s one thing to get close and it’s another thing to pass.

“I must say: hats off to him because he was a real gentleman. He didn’t push me off and he didn’t do anything crazy.

“Not always the case nowadays and he was a proper racer, so well done to him for that.”

Rovera confirmed to Sportscar365 that AF Corse raced with a brand new chassis after Companc’s crash in the opening stages of the 1000 Miles of Sebring last month.

The Italian admitted he was left somewhat discouraged by the outcome of the six-hour enduro, adding that he had found it difficult to place a decisive move on Catsburg as soon as he came within striking distance of the Corvette.

“I’m not completely happy because every time I went close, it was difficult to overtake,” he spoke.

“I lost the front downforce. But yeah, the championship is still on. We are strong to battle.”

Daniel Lloyd contributed to this report