All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Motorsport

Ferrari Dominates Le Mans Again, Porsche Fights from Back to Podium

The 93rd running of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans once again proved that endurance, strategy, and grit matter far more than qualifying pace. In a dramatic race that ran nearly uninterrupted and at full intensity, Ferrari clinched its third consecutive victory—this time courtesy of the private (yet highly competitive) AF Corse team, with drivers Robert Kubica, Louis Delétraz Hanson, and Ye Yifei piloting the #83 499P Hypercar to glory.

Starting far from the front, the trio methodically climbed the ranks, ultimately completing 387 laps of the grueling Circuit de la Sarthe. Former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, who spent nearly 10 hours behind the wheel, finally claimed a long-coveted Le Mans win after years of near-misses and heartbreaks.

In a race where pole position quickly became irrelevant, Porsche delivered one of the most impressive performances of the weekend. The #6 963 Hypercar, driven by Vanthoor, Estre, and Campbell, started dead last in the Hypercar class due to a disqualification in qualifying. But after a relentless charge through the field and a fierce duel in the closing hours, they finished just 14 seconds behind the leading Ferrari—a remarkable result and a testament to Porsche’s resilience.

A factory-entered Ferrari secured the final step on the podium, continuing the Scuderia’s dominance in the current FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, in which they’ve already collected three wins before arriving in France.

Meanwhile, Cadillac, BMW, and Toyota endured a frustrating race. Despite Cadillac’s strong qualifying form and high hopes, none of their entries were able to challenge for podium positions. BMW also struggled with pace and reliability. Toyota, once the benchmark of endurance racing, faced multiple setbacks, finishing well outside the top tier. Aston Martin, making its debut in the Hypercar class this year, showed potential but will need more time to contend for top honors.

In the LMGT3 class, Porsche found redemption as the #92 911 GT3 R of Manthey EMA (1st Phorm team), driven by Hardwick, Pera, and Lietz, secured a hard-fought victory after completing 341 laps. Ferrari’s 296 GT3, campaigned by the Vista AF Corse team, took second place, while the vibrant yellow Corvette Z06 GT3.R from TF Sport, piloted by Rompuy, Andrade, and Eastwood, claimed third.

This latest victory brings Ferrari to 12 total Le Mans wins, inching them closer to Audi’s 13. But the king of Le Mans remains Porsche, still holding the all-time record with 19 victories. After falling just short this year, the Stuttgart marque will undoubtedly return in 2026 eager to chase its historic 20th win.

As the sun sets on another thrilling edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the message remains clear: endurance racing is as much about persistence and teamwork as it is about speed—and in 2025, no one embodied that better than Ferrari and its #83 crew.

Source: Ferrari; Photo: Reuters

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Ferrari Dominates Le Mans Again, Porsche Fights from Back to Podium
News

Renault CEO Luca de Meo Resigns, Heads to Luxury Giant Kering

Renault Group is preparing for a leadership transition as CEO Luca de Meo announces his departure, ending a transformative five-year period marked by an ambitious turnaround and renewed market relevance. De Meo, who took the reins of the embattled French automaker in July 2020, will officially step down on July 15, with reports suggesting he will take on the role of CEO at luxury conglomerate Kering.

De Meo’s resignation comes as a surprise to many, especially given his widely praised revival of Renault through bold strategy, brand reinvention, and a renewed focus on profitability. When he arrived from SEAT—where he had previously driven a dramatic resurgence—the challenge at Renault was daunting. The company had just posted a record half-year net loss of €7.3 billion amid internal turmoil and an uncertain industry landscape.

Undeterred, de Meo launched the “Renaulution” plan, aimed at reshaping Renault’s identity and operations. He shifted the focus toward higher-margin vehicles, streamlined development timelines, and slashed underperforming models. A key part of this strategy was the emotional revival of the brand’s heritage, culminating in the rebirth of iconic nameplates such as the Renault 5.

Reimagined as a fully electric city car, the new R5 made waves in a market skeptical of EVs, thanks to its retro-inspired design, purposeful technology, and accessible appeal. It was quickly followed by a crossover reinterpretation of the Renault 4, and the much-loved Twingo is set for a comeback next year, drawing heavily from the original’s charm and practicality.

Beyond Renault’s core brand, de Meo also strengthened its Romanian sibling, Dacia, positioning it as a major player in Europe’s affordable vehicle segment. The Bigster SUV expanded Dacia’s lineup, and a new budget-friendly electric model—expected in 2026—will replace the Spring and be built in Europe.

Despite these accomplishments, de Meo has chosen to pivot his career. According to Le Figaro, he will become the new CEO of Kering, the luxury powerhouse that owns labels including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Yves Saint Laurent. The move marks a significant shift from automotive to high fashion and luxury goods.

“There comes a moment in life when one knows that the job is done,” de Meo said in a statement. “At Renault Group, we have faced enormous challenges in less than five years. We have achieved what many thought was impossible. Today, the results speak for themselves: they are the best in our history.”

Renault’s board of directors is now in the process of identifying a successor who can maintain the momentum and guide the company into its next chapter, especially as the industry faces continued transformation around electrification and mobility.

Luca de Meo, 58, leaves Renault not just as a skilled manager but as a visionary who reshaped one of France’s most iconic industrial players—and did so against the odds.

Source: Renault, Le Figaro

News

Ford F-150 Lobo Packs V8 Power and Street-Ready Style

Ford is howling into 2025 with a bold new entry into the full-size pickup market—the F-150 Lobo, a street-smart, V8-powered version of America’s best-selling truck. What began as a regional exclusive for the Mexican market in 1997 now arrives in the United States, packed with attitude, retro influence, and modern-day muscle.

The name Lobo, Spanish for “wolf,” carries more than just an aggressive edge—it evokes a heritage of performance and style. First seen as a concept on a 1981 Bronco, it now marks Ford’s latest attempt to combine street presence with pickup practicality.

A New Breed of F-150

Unlike the off-road beasts in the F-150 lineup—think Raptor or Raptor R—the Lobo isn’t about kicking up dirt. It’s about owning the asphalt. Built exclusively on the STX SuperCrew platform and powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, the Lobo pumps out 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. While it doesn’t share the monstrous outputs of the 450-hp EcoBoost V6 or the 720-hp Raptor R, the Lobo makes its mark through swagger and refinement.

Underneath, it carries a 4WD system with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case, offering selectable drive modes from 2H to 4L. Towing capacity reaches 7,900 pounds, and it can haul a payload of up to 1,450 pounds, making it more than just a pretty face.

Street Dominance, by Design

The Lobo package is less about raw performance upgrades and more about standing out in the crowd. Ford equips the truck with an aggressive 10-piece ground effects kit, dual-layer LED light bar, and a sculpted cowl hood that hints at old-school hot rod inspiration. Black trim, a distinctive front grille, and tweaked taillights complement the meaner, lowered stance—two inches lower in the rear to be precise.

22-inch gloss black wheels, visible dual exhaust tips, and discreet Lobo badging round out the street truck aesthetic. And while it looks striking in black, Ford offers other finishes like Atlas Blue, Rapid Red, Carbonized Gray, and Oxford White, giving buyers options to make their wolf stand out.

Tech and Comfort Meet Muscle

While the Lobo brings visual aggression, it doesn’t skimp on refinement. The broader 2025 F-150 lineup, including this model, introduces impressive tech and luxury. Available features like Dynamic Bending LED headlamps, quilted leather interiors, woodgrain trim, and the 14-speaker B&O® Unleashed sound system offer a premium experience.

Ford’s innovative touches continue inside with the Interior Work Surface, which transforms the center console into a flat platform—perfect for a laptop on the go—and under-seat storage to maximize space. Meanwhile, smart features like the Head-Up Display (HUD), Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, and Ford Co-Pilot360® safety tech make the F-150 as intelligent as it is capable.

Pricing and Positioning

At $59,995, the F-150 Lobo comes in at a $4,695 premium over the standard STX, but for buyers chasing a street truck with bold styling, V8 power, and modern features, it’s a compelling upgrade.

Ford positions the Lobo as a spiritual successor to the SVT Lightning—not as an all-out performance truck, but as a design-forward, street-dominant pickup with everyday usability. And with the next-generation F-150 reportedly delayed to 2028, the Lobo gives Ford something fresh to keep the current generation howling a little longer.

The 2025 Ford F-150 Lobo is more than just a cosmetic refresh—it’s a characterful blend of utility, attitude, and nostalgia. It may not be the fastest or the most rugged in the lineup, but for those who want to turn heads without sacrificing practicality, the Lobo offers a unique howl in the crowded world of pickups.

Source: Ford

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Ford F-150 Lobo Packs V8 Power and Street-Ready Style