Red delirium at Le Mans, there is still a Ferrari celebrating at the 24 hours. The masterpiece is complete, repeating the success of a year ago seemed very difficult, if not impossible in very difficult conditions. And instead Antonello Coletta’s squad beat Toyota again thanks to the wonderful work of Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen and Miguel Molina. They didn’t do anything wrong, in the dry or in the wet. With its heart pounding and its tank running low, 499P number 50 defended the crown won in 2023, when Ferrari returned to the premier class of the World Endurance Championship after half a century. Also on the podium was the other Red number 51 with Giovinazzi-Pier Guidi and Calado, protagonists of the success twelve months ago. A very heavy double podium, the Toyota number 7 of Lopez-Kobayashi-De Vries is second, 14 seconds behind
Le Mans like a novel you would never stop reading, a whole day of twists and turns at the top. One hundred races in just one: intermittent rain, day and night. Continuous safety cars due to the many accidents, breakdowns and problems solved during the race. Repeated penalties to take away or add glory. Three-way, four-way battles between Ferrari-Toyota-Porsche-Cadillac. Fight everywhere on the asphalt of the Sarthe in one of the most uncertain and spectacular editions of recent years. Concluded under the downpour at the moment of maximum tiredness for everyone. Ferrari was not favored on the eve, the balance of performance – the algorithm that should equalize the performance of cars from different manufacturers – had not helped it.
Kubica’s regret
The absolute protagonist of the first part of the race, Robert Kubica was phenomenal in driving in the wet and remained in the lead for a long time on the Ferrari 499P number 83 managed by the Af Corse team (not one of the two official Reds) shared with Shwartzman and Yfei Ye. During a lapping, the Prancing Horse’s Hypercar touched Vanthoor’s BMW number 15, but the latter was the worst of the collision and was forced to retire. Kubica and his teammates were punished with 30 seconds of Stop&Go. Despite the handicap the trio was still fighting for victory four hours from the checkered flag. Then the breakdown while the Chinese Ye was in the cockpit, smoke from the front axle. Probably a hybrid malfunction. Sin.
Valentino’s bitterness forced him to retire
It was Valentino Rossi’s first Le Mans, the Doctor had prepared it with great care and with his usual enthusiasm. Aiming high in the class he raced in (Lmgt3), and the start was excellent starting from 12th position. Vale had driven well in very difficult conditions with the Wrt team’s BMW M4. Maxime Martin also did well his crewmate. After midnight when Al Harthy got behind the wheel, the accident occurred near the Dunlop bridge: the Omani driver managed to return to the pits but the damage was too heavy to continue.
