Ferrari ecstasy, consecutive encore in the 24 hours of Le Mans! Toyota and Porsche defeated

Ferrari still in control at Le Mans. Second consecutive victory for the reds in the most important race in the world, the eleventh overall. This time car number 50 goes on the top step of the podium Miguel Molina, Antonio Fuoco and Nicklas Nielsen. The 499P confirms itself as the best car on the Circuit de la Sarthe, as demonstrated by the third place of the number 51 (last year’s winner) of Pier Guidi, Giovinazzi and Calado. Toyota was satisfied with second place at the end of a great comeback with car number 7.

In the LMGT3 class, the race of Valentino Rossi’s crew ended during the night due to an accident committed by teammate Ahmad Al Harty. The Manthey EMA Porsche wins, United Autosports rejoices among the LM P2s.

Ferrari got off to a flying start with Nicklas Nielsen taking the lead in the standings on the first lap, overtaking Cadillac and Porsche. Excellent start also for Antonio Giovinazzi and after a few laps the two reds command the race.

However, BMW’s start was disastrous as it slipped to the rear due to a spin of car number 15. Ingenuity in the pits for Ferrari #50 which was sanctioned (10 seconds) for an unsafe release carried out against Cadillac.

After an hour and 40 minutes the rain made its appearance in some sections of the track. Porsche #6, Toyota #7, Ferrari #51 and Alpine #36 are fitted with wet tyres, but the track remains mostly dry and favors cars that do not pit.

The duel for first place saw a comparison between the #83 Ferrari of Robert Kubica and the #50 Ferrari of Nielsen. The Team Jota Porsche number 12 and the two Lamborghinis also benefit from the strategy.

Robert Shwartzman and Antonio Fuoco inherit the battle between the reds for first place, joined by Porsche #5. Toyota #8 and Ferrari #51 chase the leading trio. Really bad day for BMW which ends up on the wall with Robin Frijns. Things aren’t any better for Alpine, who abandon the race with the number 35 due to engine problems.

As darkness falls, the tension increases. A high-speed lap by Robert Kubica causes a heavy accident for Vanthoor’s BMW. The collision with the barriers was violent, followed by a long Safety Car phase that took the race into the night.

After midnight the rain returns and as often happens it is the Toyotas who make the most of the conditions to move up the rankings. The #83 Ferrari is penalized 30 seconds for the accident of Vanthoor’s BMW caused by Kubica. Porsche number 6 is in the lead when the clock strikes 03:45, the start time of a very long Safety Car phase. The heavy rain forces the race direction to keep the safety car on the track for around 4 hours.

The race restarts around 08:00 before a new interruption due to an accident between the LMGT3s which brings the group back together. Good news for the Ferraris who are attacking the top positions at the restart.

Antonio Fuoco takes first place with 5 hours to go, while the #8 Toyota manages to steal second place from the #83 Ferrari, whose race ends painfully at 12:00 due to a battery problem.

The final phase of the race sees 6 Hypercars alternating in the top positions. Ferrari, Toyota, Porsche and Cadillac battle until the rain arrives, about 2 hours before the checkered flag. In this situation, Ferrari and especially Toyota stand out. Jose Maria Lopez overtakes Pier Guidi and takes first place, also due to a door problem on the Ferrari 50 forced to pit stop by the race director.

A race conditioned by penalties for Ferrari. An hour and 20 minutes from the end, Pier Guidi’s collision with Hartley’s Toyota was sanctioned.

After these events, the duel between the two manufacturers moves to the Ferrari 50 and the Toyota 7 for the final victory. Nielsen manages to manage consumption in the last 45 minutes, avoiding a further pit stop and crossing the finish line with 2% of energy available. Jose Maria Lopez desperately tries to make a run-up but is unable to make up for the half-minute delay after the last round of pit stops. The Ferrari #51 completes the podium, beating the Porsche #6 in the sprint.

Seventh place for Cadillac, fighting for the podium for a long time, behind Toyota #8 and Porsche #5. Lamborghini did well, conquering the top 10 behind the two Porsches of Team Jota. Isotta Fraschini also rejoices, crossing the finish line in 14th position.

1. Ferrari #50 (Fuoco, Molina, Nielsen)
2. Toyota #7 (Lopez, Kobayashi, De Vries)
3. Ferrari #51 (Pier Guidi, Calado, Giovinazzi)
4. Porsche #6 (Estre, Lotterer, Vanthoor)
5. Toyota #8 (Buemi, Hartley, Hirakawa)

In the LMP2 class, the Inter Europol Competition car managed the race in the first hours with a small margin over the Vector Sport. In the fourth hour the hierarchies change because the leaders lose a wheel and have to slowly return to the pits. Vector Sport takes the lead, opening a fight with Cool Racing.

In the middle of the night there is a change at the top. The Italians of AF Corse took the lead taking advantage of a contact between the Nielsen Racing car and that of the Proton Competition.

The morning rewards the rise of United Autosports, fighting for the victory with IDEC Sport. In the final, the Poles of Inter Europol took second place, but success was never in question for the trio Jarvis, Garg, Siegel.

1. United Autosports #22 (Jarvis, Garg, Siegel)
2. Inter Europol Competition #34 (Schmiekowski, Lomko, Novalak)
3. Idec Sport #28 (Lafargue, Van Uitert, De Gerus)

In LMGT3, Valentino Rossi’s BMW comeback race. Maxime Martin led the Team WRT 46 car in the early stages, moving up to eleventh position. Ahmad Al Harthy got into the car after two hours and with a winning strategy in the rainy phase he climbed the rankings to enter the top 3.

After 4 hours the moment finally arrives for Valentino Rossi to make his debut at Le Mans as first in the LMGT3 class. The Porsche of the Manthey EMA is not far away, third place for the Ferrari of JMW Motorsport. The Doctor had an excellent first stint as he handed over the wheel to Maxime Martin after about an hour and a half on the track.

Valentino’s team chooses to replace the braking system during the safety car and gives first place to the Manthey Purexcing Porsche.

Disaster for Valentino Rossi’s team in the ninth hour. Ahmad Al Harthy loses control of the BMW in the wet, irreparably damaging the front of his M4. Race over for the Doctor’s crew. The Manthey Purexcing Porsche then has to guard against the comeback of the United Autosports McLaren.

The morning starts with a scare in LMGT3 class. The Heart of Racing Aston Martin overturns after a collision with the barriers. Fortunately no problems for driver Daniel Mancinelli. Technical problems for the race leader Porsche. Surprisingly, the girls from the Iron Dames (Lamborghini) are leading the entry in the last 5 hours.

Porsche remains in the running for victory with the Manthey EMA car, a good comeback also by the second BMW of Team WRT. The Ford Mustang of the Proton Competition also did well, firmly in third place. The positions did not change in the last few hours and Porsche confirmed the predictions of the day before by achieving success.

1. Manthey Ema #91, McLaren (Shahin, Schuring, Lietz)
2. Team WRT #31, BMW (Leung, Gelael, Farfus)
3. Proton Competition #88, Ford (Olsen, Roda, Pedersen)