Ferrari Shines Again at 24 Hours of Le Mans
Ferrari made a remarkable return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, clinching victory last year after a 50-year absence. This year’s race saw the No. 50 car secure the top spot, driven by Nicklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco, and Miguel Molina. The previous year’s champion, the No. 51 Ferrari, finished in third place, trailing the No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, which took second.
The Italian carmaker faced significant challenges during the race, particularly in the final hours marked by treacherous weather and fierce competition. A lengthy safety car period of over four hours also compounded the difficulties.
In a dramatic turn, the right-side door of the leading No. 50 car opened in the last two hours, necessitating an unplanned pit stop. This incident resulted in an orange-and-black flag and a five-second penalty, providing the No. 7 Toyota with a chance to narrow the lead, though it ultimately could not capitalize on it.
During the race, a spin by Toyota driver Jose Maria Lopez at the Dunlop Curve allowed him to momentarily stop on the track, costing him valuable time. With only half an hour remaining, Lopez and the No. 7 car found themselves 30 seconds behind the Ferrari. Despite his best efforts, issues with the car’s turbocharger and unexpected rain hindered his progress, giving Nielsen the advantage he needed for a comfortable race towards the finish.
Nielsen made a crucial pit stop for fuel with 51 minutes to go and had to conserve energy, managing to hold off Lopez, who was rapidly closing the gap. At times, it seemed like Ferrari’s strategy might have been overly optimistic, yet Nielsen successfully executed the plan. The wet conditions ultimately benefited him, allowing him to cross the finish line with only 2% of his fuel and electric power remaining.
The No. 51 Ferrari also faced obstacles in its pursuit of a podium finish. Driver Alessandro Pier Guidi had a run-in with Brendon Hartley’s No. 8 Toyota two hours before the end, resulting in Hartley’s car becoming stuck against the barriers at Mulsanne Corner. The No. 8 Toyota finished in fifth place, just behind the No. 6 factory Porsche 963.
The 92nd running of the race proved to be anything but straightforward, with lengthy safety car interventions during the night, including a significant four-hour delay caused by heavy rainfall. Both Alpine and BMW faced disappointing results with their Hypercar entries, and the No. 83 AF Corse 499P, featuring former F1 star Robert Kubica, withdrew early due to hybrid system issues.
Despite the challenges, the LMP2-class winners United Autosports and LMGT3 champions Manthey EMA showcased the talent of four rookies among their six drivers. The race was fiercely contested and entertaining, even with the interruptions—a reminder of the excitement that awaits in next year’s Le Mans.
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