Ferrari quick in free practice at Imola

Imola, 17 April 2026 - After Tuesday’s Prologue, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola hosted on Friday, 17 April the two free practice sessions that officially kicked off the track activities of the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

At the end of the first one-hour and 30-minute session, which got underway at 9.30 a.m., the three Ferrari 499Ps competing in this season-opener proved to be the quickest, occupying the top three positions, with number 83 setting the best time. In the second afternoon session, which began at 3.15 p.m., the fastest of the Prancing Horse cars was number 50, with the third-best time.

Free Practice 1. The first session was contested over 90 minutes with air temperatures ranging from 19.5°C to 22.5°C, while track temperatures varied between almost 28°C and 35°C. In this session the three Ferraris occupied the top three positions, with number 83 of AF Corse – with Robert Kubica alongside official drivers Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson – the quickest thanks to a time of 1’31”739. The trio in the Giallo Modena AF Corse car completed 46 laps, the same as the Ferrari - AF Corse 499P number 50 of official drivers Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, who recorded the second-best time of 1’31”762. A total of 32 laps were completed by the other official drivers and reigning champions in the number 51 of Ferrari - AF Corse, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado, which set the third time with 1’31”982.

Free Practice 2. The second session, which started at 3.15 p.m., with air temperatures still below 25°C and track temperatures between 38.5°C and 42.5°C, saw the Ferrari 499P number 50 of Fuoco-Molina-Nielsen post the third-best time with 1’31”036. Close behind was the number 51 of Pier Guidi-Calado-Giovinazzi, which placed fourth with 1’31”087. Seventh was number 83 of Kubica-Ye-Hanson, which recorded a time of 1’31”380.

The programme. The activity resumes on Saturday, 18 April with Free Practice 3, lasting one hour from 10.30 a.m., while the 12-minute Qualifying session will get underway at 3.10 p.m., followed by the Hyperpole at 3.30 p.m. The six-hour race is scheduled for Sunday, 19 April from 1.00 p.m. (local times).

17 aprile 2026