Ye Yifei Aims for Championship Glory at Circuit of the Americas
Ye Yifei, driver for AF Corse, returns to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) not only as the reigning winner of the Lone Star Le Mans but also as a champion from the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours. Alongside teammates Robert Kubica and Philip Hanson, Ye leads efforts to compete for the Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship, trailing the factory Ferrari #51 entry by just 12 points.
Reflecting on the prior year, Ye expressed the relief of his historic win at COTA, which marked him as the first Chinese driver to secure a WEC top class victory. “Winning Lone Star Le Mans was a reward for the hard work from the team after our Le Mans retirement,” he stated. The emotional high was further amplified as Ferrari celebrated victories across both WEC and Formula 1 on the same day, a rare and motivational feat.
This season’s performance highlights include strategic point accumulation, as seen in São Paulo where his team secured four crucial points despite facing competitive challenges. Ye emphasized the importance of maximizing points during less favorable weekends, noting, “We’re here to win; we’re not here just to participate.”
As temperatures rise in Austin, Ye’s fitness will be tested. His preparation included racing in the GT World Challenge Asia, although he noted the heat there didn’t fully replicate conditions expected at COTA. “Being fit physically will also be a big part of succeeding here,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Ye anticipated challenges in the final races of the season at Fuji and Bahrain, acknowledging last year’s performance at these tracks. However, he remains confident in the improvements made to the Ferrari 499P, stating, “We are constantly improving… it will not be easy, but we’re ready to give everything possible to hunt for the championship.”
Ye’s Le Mans victory symbolized a significant milestone for China’s sports car racing landscape, which has seen increased participation and visibility in recent years. He aims to leverage his success to inspire further growth in the region, emphasizing, “Winning a world championship would only help that even more.”
As the WEC championship progresses, Ye is positioned not only to capitalize on his current momentum but also to continue elevating the profile of endurance racing in China.
Images © Ferrari, Dailysportscar.com
