Ferrari Charts Back-To-Back Wins At Le Mans 24 Hours

The Number 50 Ferrari AF Corse team Ferrari 499P stood as the winner of this year's Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race held last weekend in France.

The annual running of the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race ran its course over the weekend at the Circuit de la Sarthe in central France for its 92nd running. It also stood as one of the closest-fought races in the annual event’s history.

Triumphant in the 24-hour enduro was the Number 51 works Ferrari AF Corse team’s Ferrari 499P driven by Nicklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco, and Miguel Molina.

All three driver’s stood as first time winners at Le Mans and finished ahead of the Number 7 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota GR010 Hybrid that finished just 14.221 seconds behind. Piloting the runner-up machine were Kamui Kobayashi, José María López, and former Formula 1 star Nyck de Vries.

Following up from last year's historic win, Ferrari also charted a double podium finish this year by placing both first and third both overall and in the premier Hypercar class.

Rounding off the podium to place third both overall and in the premier Hypercar class was the other works-backed Ferrari AF Corse Number 50 Ferrari 499P piloted by last year’s winning trio Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado.

The win comes despite both Ferraris starting from fourth (#51) and fifth (#50) following Thursday’s ‘Hyperpole’ qualifying. Taking top honours here instead was the rivalling Penske-runned Number 6 Porsche 963 machine, followed by the two works Cadillac V-Series.R in second and third.

The 2024 running of the annual endurance race saw multiple interventions via extended safety car running over four hours in the night following a late-night night deluge, followed by sporadic downpour throughout the daytime.

The win didn't come easy as nine of the 23-strong Hypercar class entries finishes on the lead lap. In fact, the Number 51 Ferrari just edged the second-placed Number 7 Toyota by just 14.221 seconds.

It all ultimately led to nine out of the 23-strong Hypercar class entries finishing on the lead lap. However, it wasn’t until the very late stages – less than four hours left – before it became clear that the battle for victory boiled down to Ferrari and Toyota going head-to-head.

Despite several technical challenges that included a loose right-hand door in the Number 50 machine plus penalties issued to both cars, Ferrari’s confidence was evident in the pace of both cars as they kept both the lead Toyota and Penske-runned Porsche rivals at bay.

Drivers Nielsen, Fuocco and Molina also revelled as first-time winners at the world famous endurance race.

“The last lap was very long, impossible to imagine. I worried about avoiding any risks and getting to the finish line as quickly as possible. I just had to manage the lead,” said an emotional Nielsen as the Danish driver recounted his feelings post-race.

“We were perfect all weekend, so I think we deserve this victory. It’s been a long wait since last year, so we can enjoy it thoroughly,” added Fuoco post-race as the Italian detailed his road to victory having missed out from the podium in last year’s running.

“We realised we had a chance to fight for victory, and we gave everything. I am delighted because it’s the best day of my sporting career!” said a clearly elated Molina as the Spaniard, together with his two co-drivers, revelled in their first ever win at the historic enduro.

Ferrari's latest triumph marks its 11th overall Le Mans wins. Coupled with 29 class victories, it now boasts a record of 40 Le Mans wins in total.

Personal triumphs aside, the Ferrari marque also revelled in the fact that yesterday’s triumph stood as its 11th overall victory at Le Mans. Coupled with its other 29 class victories, the famed Maranello-based institution now boasts a record of 40 Le Mans victories in total too.

Check out the full race highlights below.