Ferrari’s satellite team, the No. 83 AF Corse, clinched victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking a significant triumph amid stiff competition from Porsche. Drivers Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson celebrated their first overall win at this prestigious race, managing to outpace the factory Ferraris, which had dominated much of the event until the final hours.
This victory adds to Ferrari’s remarkable achievements, making it their third consecutive overall win at Le Mans, following previous victories by the Nos. 51 and 50 factory units in the races held in 2023 and 2024. The No. 83 Ferrari assumed the lead in the 20th hour after a misstep by the No. 51 Ferrari, which had to make a second pit stop shortly after losing time due to a spin from driver Alessandro Pier Guidi.
The emergence of the No. 6 Penske Porsche 963, capture of the attention in the race’s closing stages, posed new challenges for Ferrari. Despite this, Kubica made a decisive stop with 40 minutes left, equipping his car with fresh Michelin tires. This tire advantage proved crucial as he secured victory 14.084 seconds ahead of Estre from Porsche.
Supporting the podium was the No. 51 crew, featuring Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi, and James Calado, who were able to finish after a strategic swap with the sister No. 50 car. The race saw a fierce competition with Porsche, but the other 963s struggled to match the pace of the No. 6.
In addition to Ferrari’s successes, the race also highlighted the resilience of teams like Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, which despite starting strong from the front row, found it challenging to maintain pace throughout. Their No. 12 Cadillac secured a fifth-place finish, while the No. 38 also performed commendably in eighth position.
The Toyota GR010 Hybrid team faced difficulties with one of their cars, the No. 8 tanking with a wheel nut failure, resulting in it finishing 16th. Meanwhile, French manufacturers Alpine and Peugeot battled for points, with Alpine ultimately finishing higher.
Overall, the race was marked by competitive spirit and strategic plays, resulting in the winning No. 83 Ferrari breaking the Hypercar distance record by completing 387 laps. This event showcases not only the dominance of Ferrari but also the evolving dynamics of endurance racing as teams continuously adapt under pressure.
With the race concluding on a high note for Ferrari, it reflects a bright future for the Italian manufacturer in endurance racing, igniting hope and excitement among motorsport fans for upcoming seasons.