24h Le Mans
Monza in the suburbs of Milan is set to host the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) this weekend. It will be a first at the legendary Italian racetrack since 1992! At long last, fans will be in attendance too for this dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 2021 6 Hours of Monza will mark the return of spectators track-side after more than 18 months of closed-door races (the last round open to fans was the Austin leg of the 2019-20 season).
The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is a hotbed of endurance racing this month. Last week, it welcomed European Le Mans Series (ELMS) competitors to the racetrack located in the heart of a forest for a four-hour race won by French team Panis Racing. This time, it’s the turn of the WEC paddock with a 37-strong field including five Hypercars. For the first time, two SGC 007 LMHs (#708 and #709) will be on the grid to attempt to upset the two Toyota GR010 Hybrids. Alpine will have another chance to shine after achieving pole position last time out in Portimão.
Ironically, Monza was the venue when Toyota secured its first world endurance championship (then known as the World Sportscar Championship) win in 1992. At the time, the Japanese manufacturer’s main rival was Peugeot – a marque that will soon be taking on the likes of Toyota once again with the 9X8 unveiled last week.
As usual, the highly competitive LMP2 class has a number of potential winners. In the LMGTE Pro class, Porsche will be looking to make amends for its last showing and avoid a second successive defeat. Half of the 16-strong LMGTE Am class is made up of Ferraris whose drivers will undoubtedly be dreaming of taking the honours in front of the tifosi.
So, who will come out on top on a racetrack where average speed pushes the 200-kph mark? The Monza race should also offer a few clues as to the form of the runners and riders ahead of the season’s showcase, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Following Job van Uitert’s positive Covid-19 test that deprived him of a seat in the ELMS race last weekend, fellow Dutchman Nyck de Vries will take his place at the wheel of the #29 Oreca 07 of Racing Team Nederland. LMGTE Am outfit Iron Lynx has announced that Sarah Bovy will make her debut in the #85 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo. She will replace Manuela Gostner.
2021 6 Hours of Monza schedule
Free Practice 1
Friday 16 July, 15:30–17:00
Free Practice 2
Saturday 17 July, 09:30–11:00
LMGTE Pro and Am qualifying
Saturday 17 July at 18:00
Hypercar and LMP2 qualifying
Saturday 17 July at 18:20
Race
Sunday 18 July, 12:00–18:00
