Ferrari clinched a remarkable victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour, winning for the second consecutive year since its return to this iconic race.
Nicklas Nielsen drove a masterful economy run, managing to bring the Ferrari AF Corse 499P across the finish line on nearly empty fuel tanks. The triumph was shared with his teammates Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina, in a race that tested the limits of endurance and strategy for every competitor..
In a grueling event that saw none of the 63 participating cars have a trouble-free run, the Hypercar field was a spectacle, thrilling nearly 400,000 fans at the Sarthe circuit. The record 23-strong Hypercar class delivered intense competition and dramatic moments, solidifying Le Mans’ status as a premier motorsport event.
Gazoo Toyota Racing, five-time winners, had to settle for second place. Nyck de Vries, Kamui Kobayashi, and Jose Maria Lopez drove the number 7 GR010 HYBRID, trailing the victorious Ferrari 50. Last year’s winners, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, completed the podium in the second Ferrari 51.
Ferrari’s twelfth victory at Le Mans came despite fierce competition. Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor’s Penske Porsche finished just seconds behind. The second Toyota, driven by Sebastien Buemi, Ben Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, followed, with Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, and Fred Makowiecki securing sixth in the second Porsche.
The Cadillac team, with Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, and Alex Palou, finished seventh, while the two JOTA 963s and Lamborghini’s new Hypercar rounded out the top ten. The race was a battle of attrition and survival, marred by several safety car periods due to changeable conditions and incidents on the track.
From the start, Ferrari showed their intent, with the number 50 car quickly moving to the front. The race’s first major incident occurred when rain led to confusion over tire choices, causing many to switch to wet tires prematurely. However, the Ferrari duo, Robert Kubica in the yellow car and the number 50, stayed on slicks, establishing a strong lead.
The evening brought more drama as Kubica’s collision with a BMW brought out the safety car for two hours. Upon resumption, Kubica received a 30-second penalty, leaving the race lead to a thrilling battle between Ferraris, Toyotas, and Porsches. Heavy rain and fog further complicated the race, leading to prolonged safety car periods.
As dawn broke, the lead continuously changed hands. Different strategies, often dictated by unforeseen issues, played out in the final quarter of the race. Despite challenges, Ferrari emerged ahead. A crucial refueling stop for the number 50 car proved advantageous, allowing Nielsen to manage his fuel and secure victory.
The final standings saw nine cars, including two Ferraris, two Toyotas, four Porsches, and a Cadillac, finish on the lead lap.
Lamborghini marked an impressive debut, finishing in tenth and thirteenth. Peugeot endured a difficult race, and BMW’s efforts were marred by crashes. The fragile Alpines and two of the three Cadillacs also faced issues, leaving the field open for others.
In the LMP2 class, United Autosports, driven by Oliver Jarvis, Bijoy Garg, and Nolan Siegel, took top honors. In the newly introduced LMGT3 class, Porsche secured a win with Richard Lietz, Yasser Shahin, and Morris Schuring driving the Manthey EMA 911 GT3 R to victory.
Le Mans 2024 was a race of epic proportions, delivering thrilling racing and a result that delighted the massive crowd. As the dust settles, attention turns to the 2025 race, with the World Endurance Championship title fight finely balanced and the road to Le Mans continuing to captivate the motorsport world.
Motorsportmedia
