Ferrari flourishes in the 70th 12hrs of Sebring

Ferrari flourishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring. ( Videos below )

We are defined by the legacy we leave and remembered by the heritage we choose to represent us after we’re gone. It’s the cliché: “life is what you make it,” trope, that, while eye roll inducing and obvious – few self-actualize in their lifetime and follow through. Few have the discipline, the fortitude, or the endurance. It’s one’s propensity for pain that defines their strength, and there are two things we know for sure: Ferrari endures, and 12 Hours of Sebring is pain.

The 70^th iteration of the race took place with the usual battery of abusive behavior. It’s hot, it’s long, it’s bumpy. The famed Hendricks Field – originally a World War II era Air Force base – is renowned for its rough, jarring, and changing nature. It’s a sort of battleground; a platform for drivers to showcase their tolerance for abuse. Historically, drivers have commented that Sebring is more grueling than its 24-hour counterparts like Le Mans or Daytona.

That being said, Ferrari knows endurance. They’re practically the poster child for stamina (their logo is literally a damn horse). So, it only makes sense that the archetype for perseverance thrives in these sorts of races. This year’s Sebring was no exception. The Prancing Horse asserted its dominance in the GTD class with Cetilar Racing’s 488 GT3 Evo 2020 taking first place, and the AF Corse team placing third. Cetilar Racing hasn’t exactly been making huge headlines in the U.S. Having only done a few races in America, their GTD win is a perfect display of the mind-over-matter endurance we’ve been talking about. Having had a few contacts throughout the race, the Cetilar team kept its car together with little more than hopes and dreams to ensure it made it across the finish line in barely once piece.

“It was an up and down race, especially in the early stages of the race. Unfortunately, we had some contacts that lost us a lot of time, but luckily the rules in America allow you to stay in the race until the end. Everyone did a great job, starting with the team who taped the car up so we could continue,” said Antonio Fuoco, Cetilar Racing.

The AF Corse team faced their fair share of hardships throughout the race. With its pole-winning GTD Pro Ferrari suffering from a mechanical issue only two hours into the event, the AF Corse team persevered to regain its footing. Ultimately, it was Simon Mann, Luis Perez Companc and Toni Vilander who took third, and put on yet another display of racing mastery.

“The race was fantastic. I am back in the 12 Hours of Sebring after a few years and to be able to do it at the wheel of a Ferrari with Simon and Toni is really wonderful,” said Luis Perez Companc, AF Corse.

The Risi Competizione were no exception to the trials and tribulations of Sebring. The team suffered a power steering issue just two hours into the race resulting in a ninth-in-class position, down eight laps. While the remainder of the race was driven cleanly, the Houston, Texas team was unable to shake the effects of the early issues, finishing in 31^st overall.

“Unfortunately, we had a power steering issue early that put us several laps down. We had a good car. The drivers and crew did a great job and we thought we might be able to get our laps back, so we continued. The drivers made no errors in the race, and all the pit stops were flawless. The car is nearly undamaged after 12 hours. The yellows played in our favor in most cases, but there weren’t enough to get back on the lead lap,” said Rick Mayer, Risi Competizione Race Engineer.

In a way, the 12 Hours of Sebring, or any endurance race, really, is a perfect platform for the Rotiform mindset of commitment and execution. Trends fade, teams win and lose, and styles change, but we stay steadfast. We will leave a legacy that endures.