Well, the Imola fairy tale didn't quite have the ending Ferrari wanted. After Giovinazzi's last-gasp Hyperpole lap had everyone buzzing, the 6 Hours delivered a different verdict: Toyota won, beating the #51 Ferrari on strategy in the second half of the race. The Hirakawa/Hartley/Buemi crew in the new TR010 built their decisive advantage when it mattered, pegging back Pier Guidi, Calado and Giovinazzi after what sounds like a promising opening phase for the Prancing Horse.

The sting is in the framing — this was Toyota's debut with the TR010, and they came away with a win. Ferrari had pole, Ferrari had the crowd, Ferrari had the momentum from defending the hypercar title. Losing on strategy at your home circuit to a car making its competitive bow is a painful way to open the WEC season.

That said, one result doesn't define a championship, and the 499P crew showed they had the raw pace (hence the pole). If the Toyota's strategic superiority is a recurring theme, that's worth watching. But if it was a one-off read on tyres and timing? Ferrari will bounce back. Long season ahead.