Ferrari extended its World Endurance Championship (WEC) dominance by claiming a third consecutive Le Mans 24 Hours victory. Rainless skies set the stage for a dramatic and revealing 93rd edition of the legendary race.
The #83 Ferrari 499P, driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Philip Hanson, emerged victorious after a faultless final stretch, capitalizing on a mid-race safety car and raw pace to seize the win. The triumph further solidifies Ferrari’s grasp on both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships, with 202 points versus Toyota’s distant 91.
Despite fierce competition from Porsche and a late charge from the #6 Penske-run 963, the Italian marque proved untouchable on Sunday, with its #51, #83, and #50 entries now sitting first, second, and third in the championship standings. “This win is not just about today, it’s about consistency, strategy, and relentless precision,” said a visibly emotional Kubica post-race.
Toyota’s slide and Peugeot’s frustration
Once dominant at Le Mans, Toyota endured its worst showing since 2017. The Japanese team’s hopes crumbled when the #8 car lost seven laps due to a detached front-left wheel after leading at halfway. The #7 car suffered early damage and penalties, relegating the team to sixth and 16th.
Peugeot, meanwhile, saw its weekend unravel before it began. Handicapped by the Balance of Performance (BoP) rules, both 9X8 cars started deep in the field. A crash by Paul di Resta in hour one compounded their woes, with both cars finishing outside the top 10. “It’s hard to see how we can continue under these circumstances,” a Peugeot team engineer commented anonymously.
Redemption and heartbreak elsewhere
For Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye, victory was redemption. Four years ago, they lost the LMP2 class on the final lap. Now, their names are engraved as overall winners. Former teammate Louis Deletraz also savored a win in the LMP2 Pro-Am class, finishing nearly a lap ahead.
Porsche, though denied a 20th overall Le Mans crown, was the only real challenger. Kevin Estre’s storming first stint from 21st to fifth after a qualifying disqualification kept the fight alive. But a mid-race safety car erased a crucial lead and cost them dearly.
BMW, expected to contend after strong qualifying, suffered mechanical failures in both entries and ended 18th and 32nd. Aston Martin, debuting the non-hybrid Valkyrie, exceeded expectations by reaching Hyperpole and completing the race without major issues, a quiet but credible outing.
Despite the tight top-four finish, widespread sentiment in the paddock was one of disappointment. Many blamed the BoP, which seemed to tilt the field in Ferrari’s favour.
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