LE MANS – And now, please, let’s not put the victory at Le Mans 2024 on the same level as last year, because this one is very special and different. In some ways even more epic, because repeating yourself in a haunted and magical race like the post-centennial 24 Hours is even more difficult than winning on debut. Also for a very concrete and palpable reason.
Ferrari, Leclerc compliments the Le Mans team: “You are the best”
Le Mans, many rivals and a lot of rain
Last year, in fact, the real Contender was above all Toyota, while this time, in addition to the Japanese, there was Porsche which had grown terribly in quality and quantity, with as many as six 963 officers and privates. And where do we put the Peugeot? Although disappointing in hindsight, the renewed 9X8s set out to have their say, not just to make a presence. And instead… Then the Alpines weren’t joking and the Cadillacs ran like trains, with their noisy and exaggerated motors. Stuff to be with the best practically until the end. And then there’s the weather. The rain was torture for most of the race, much more than last year. If in 2023 the 499P completed 342 laps, this year, between neutralizations and slowdowns, the laps completed were only (just, so to speak) 311.
And then, finally, there was the triumph of Fuoco, the unfortunate 2023 hyperpoleman, who in tears of joy found the door out of a sort of nightmare, with a race that almost seemed to deny him after the complacency of the first qualifying. Finally, while Ferrari is at it, it wins Le Mans sixteen days after having won Monte Carlo, establishing an unparalleled feat in modern motor racing. Obvious, also relaunching itself in the endurance world championship, given that the points from Le Mans are worth double.
In short, Le Mans 2024 is shaping up to be the same for the red team a glorious undertaking with an even stronger and more stunning flavor than that of the previous edition. Because to repeat yourself in the most beautiful race in the world you have to go even beyond the legend and this time the 499P really went there.
