Risi Competizione’s bid for GTLM victory in the final round of the TUDOR United Sportscar Championship has been savagely brought to a premature end two and a half hours into the 2014 edition of Petit Le Mans.
Pierre Kaffer was exiting the pits after the No.62 Ferrari 458 Italia’s third pit stop and halted at the pit exit as the red light was on preventing cars from re-joining the track. Unfortunately a Porsche and Corvette behind him failed to stop and the Ferrari was hit hard on the right rear causing extensive damage to the suspension, half shaft, diffuser and rear chassis sub frame. Despite valiant attempts to make repairs, the decision to end the race was made by Team Principal Giuseppe Risi.
“It’s impossible to accurately assess here the extent of the chassis damage and I’m not prepared to take any risks with our car or our drivers in a race as intense as this,” said Risi. “We were the completely innocent victim of an accident through no fault of our own and I hope that it will be closely reviewed by IMSA. I have to say I’m shocked it hasn’t already been done so because it was apparent from the TV replays that the Porsche driver wasn’t looking what he was doing.
“We’ve had no response to our request to Race Control for review or action although, in the past, any misdeeds by our team or drivers have been punished severely and immediately. This leads me to question whether the series even cares if there is a full-season GTLM Ferrari in the race or not, and it must also color my opinion going forward as to whether I want to continue in this championship or not.
“It goes without saying that I am desperately disappointed for the whole team who have worked tirelessly not just this week but through the whole season. I am enormously proud of the way they bounced back from adversity at the start of the year and of the two victories and podiums we have claimed since then.”
Giancarlo Fisichella took the start of the 10-hour race from second place on the grid but was passed by a fast-starting Falken Porsche. Despite having tire pressure issues which affected the handling of the Ferrari, he maintained third position and held off strong pressure from the No.912 Porsche behind him.
Under the second full course caution period Fisichella stopped for a driver change to Pierre Kaffer plus new rubber and a top up of fuel. The German put in 20 laps in fifth place but excellent pit work by the Risi crew at the #62’s second stop saw them exit the pit lane in third place in the GTLM class. Kaffer also reported contact front and rear as he left the pit lane on that occasion but it was not enough to cause any concerns. More rapid pit work saw the Ferrari out ahead of the competition at the third pit stop but the #62 was to go no further in the race.
Olivier Beretta, the third driver for Risi Competizione, did not drive in today’s race.