Ferrari AF Corse has filed an appeal after its protest against the decision by race control to extend the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Spa last month was rejected, RACER has learned.
The race ended in controversial circumstances. A huge incident on the Kemmel Straight involving three cars — the No. 2 Cadillac, No. 31 WRT BMW M4 and No. 99 Proton Porsche 963 — prompted a red flag due to the spread of debris and damage inflicted to the barriers and catch fencing.
After barrier repairs and a full clean-up, race control made the unprecedented decision to extend the race by the length of the red flag period. This proved hugely popular with fans trackside, as it set up a thrilling finale and a shock result: a maiden overall WEC win for Hertz Team JOTA’s No. 12 Porsche 963. However, Ferrari — which was running first and second in Hypercar with its factory 499Ps at the stoppage — was understandably aggrieved by the decision.
Because the No. 12 JOTA and No. 6 Penske Porsche 963s had pitted just before the incident, they were handed an advantage when the race resumed, as all the cars in front of them in the restart queue required pit stops for fuel. This included the two Ferraris, which eventually came home third and fourth.
It was a decision that Ferdinando Cannizzo, the head of endurance race cars at Ferrari, described as “questionable” post-race.
“We feel a lot of regret because we believe the outcome should have been different,” he said.
Ferrari immediately protested the extension of the race, although this was quickly rejected by the stewards.