Ferrari takes the overall title in its return after a 50 year absence.
Ferrari cars have been a limelight at 24 hours of Le Mans for decades but it’s been 50 years since a Ferrari entered to compete at the highest level of Le Mans competition. That absence finally ended in a tremendous manner with Ferrari scoring it’s first overall victory since 1960 at the legendary Le Mans racing event.
Ferrari has been a dominant factor is motorsports since the brand’s establishments and was dominant at Le Mans during 1950s and 60s, made a comeback by winning the centenary edition of Le Mans. This win marked Ferrari’s 10th overall title at Le Mans.
Ferrari’s No. 51 499P Hypercar class participant, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, outclassed the No. 8 Toyota GR010 with Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa. The other Toyota GR010 got out because of a crash, the No. 50 Ferrari that had scored the Hyperpole was hobbled after a rock put a hole in one of its radiators.
It was the first time since 2018 that Toyota didn’t win a top class at Le Mans and it’s also the first time since 2017 a Toyota had retired.
Cadillac Racing’s No. 2 V-Series R car secured the third slot on the victory stand, driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard Westbrook.
In the other classes, in LMP2 the Oreca 07-Gibson No. 34 Inter Europol Competition car driven by Jakub Smiechowski, Albert Costa, Fabio Scherer took top spot. And in LMGTE Am, the Corvette Racing No. 33 Corvette C8.R with Nicky Catsburg, American Ben Keating, and Nicolas Varrone fought back from mechanical issues to take the class title.
Another notable appearance was the Garage 56, or “Innovative Car” class entrant from American team Hendrick Motorsports. Its Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, driven by NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, and former Formula One star Jenson Button, were able to finish the race in 39th place despite significant gearbox issues.
