FIA WEC – Points and podium rhythm for Davide Rigon at the 6 Hours of Austin
In Texas the curtain fell on the 6 Hours of Austin, the fourth round of the FIA Endurance World Championship, in which the changeable weather conditions were an important variable during the whole weekend.
At the wheel of the Ferrari 458 #71, the talented Venetian driver Davide Rigon, together with his team-mate James Calado, signed his debut on another circuit of an international character, putting himself on test along its 5,513 meters. Heavy rain and high air temperatures made even more demanding the endurance race, in which, however, David emerged, showing himself with lap times like the top of the class.
After about an hour and a half from the start, a strong storm made landfall on the American circuit, making the track impassable and forcing the race director to raise the red flag and suspend temporarily the race. At that point, the Venetian driver came into action instead of his friend James, using Wet tyres, bringing the Ferrari of AF Corse near to the podium, before giving the wheel up for the final stint, in the last hour and twenty minutes. Only one problem, yet to be verified, denies the satisfaction of the first seasonal podium, ending with a fifth placement. “It’s been a really demanding weekend, from all points of view. The track is not easy, especially in the first part with many blind corners. In addition, the weather has done its part, with thunderstorms and an air temperature around 32°C“, Davide Rigon analyzes, on the way back from America. “During the free practice sessions, I studied the track, but discovering tricks only in race. I am very happy with my race rhythm, from podium like to the tops of the class, even in difficult wet conditions, in which we decided to take a risk with Wet compounds. I just regret for having missed out a podium in the last hour“, the Ferrari driver concludes. “Now my head is already to Japan“.
Next appointment is scheduled for the weekend of October 12th with the 6 Hours of Fuji, fifth round of the World Championship.
