We had the privilege of speaking with Francesco Castellacci at the 6 Hours of Imola, second round of the World Endurance Championship, where the Italian driver competes with Vista AF Corse. Our conversation took place just before the start of his home race, a moment of palpable excitement for Castellacci.
Francesco shared his enthusiasm for racing in Imola, a track steeped in Italian motorsport history. He told us about his immense pride in representing Ferrari in front of a passionate home crowd, highlighting the special connection he feels with both the brand and the fans.
Imola's beautiful yet challenging track was a focal point of our discussion. Castellacci detailed the difficulties posed by the narrow circuit and its continuous bends, particularly for drivers in the LMGT3 class. The presence of faster Hypercar class vehicles creates significant traffic, complicating overtaking maneuvers.
"Our strategy is to maintain our line, keep a steady pace, and hope for respectful overtaking when the Hypercars approach" he explained.
During the qualifying rounds, Castellacci’s team, Vista AF Corse #54, secured 9th place after initially breaking into the Hyperpole with the fifth fastest time. Challenges like dense traffic and strict track limits prevented a better performance. Castellacci highlighted the strategic placement of bronze driver Thomas Flohr at the race start, noting Flohr's cautious approach aimed at keeping the car well-positioned within the pack.
Our discussion also covered Castellacci's relationship with his teammates, Thomas Flohr and Davide Rigon. He has been co-drivers with Flohr since 2017, cultivating a deep bond that transcends the racetrack. Rigon, an official Ferrari driver, rounds out a trio that boasts an exceptional team spirit, crucial for endurance racing.
Castellacci also touched on a concept he introduced in the press conference: it’s like modern endurance races resemble extended sprint ones nowadays.
"With nine manufacturers closely matched, every detail, even in pit stops, is critical. Endurance races no longer involve merely conserving the car; they demand maximum performance throughout, as every second can be decisive" he said.
This philosophy was evident at the Imola 6 Hours, where every moment was critical. Despite an early setback that saw the #54 Ferrari in the gravel during the first hour, the team rallied. They fought back valiantly, ultimately finishing 12th.
Looking ahead, Castellacci is eagerly anticipating the next race at Spa, and beyond that, the Le Mans 24, his favorite event of the year. He is also excited about the new additions to the 2024 calendar, particularly the race in Brazil scheduled for July 14, after Le Mans. Racing for the first time on the Senna circuit in Brazil, a track named after one of his racing heroes, is a dream come true for Francesco.
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