Category Archives: 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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Lettenbichler Conquers the “Iron Giant” Again: Fourth Consecutive Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Victory

Against the punishing backdrop of Central Europe’s largest iron ore mine, where only the toughest endure, Manuel Lettenbichler has once again proved he is in a league of his own. The German hard enduro phenom captured his fourth straight victory at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, cementing his status as the undisputed king of the world’s most unforgiving off-road motorcycle race.

Known for breaking both bikes and spirits, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is 35 kilometers of brutal terrain, littered with rock gardens, steep climbs, and near-vertical descents. Often described as the “ultimate test of physical endurance,” the 2025 edition lived up to its fearsome reputation. Of the 500 riders who qualified, only 14 reached the finish line within the four-hour time limit—a slight improvement over last year’s eight, but still a sobering statistic in a sport defined by attrition.

From the opening moments, the race delivered high drama. The Iron Road Prologue, held in slick, rainy conditions, saw five-time world enduro champion Josep Garcia set the fastest qualifying time. Sunday’s main race, however, belonged to Lettenbichler.

Launching from a strong Prologue result, Billy Bolt of the UK, took the early lead and appeared poised for a showdown. But Lettenbichler, riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, stayed patient. By checkpoint 10, just before the daunting “George Avenue” section, he made his move.

“Coming into this race as a title contender comes with a lot of pressure,” Lettenbichler reflected. “It was really hard to chase Billy during the first third of the race because the pace was very high and Theo [Kabakchiev] was between us. But I managed to pass him and I was trying to make it difficult for Billy. He was riding very well on the rocks, but I knew I should catch him when it was time for the trees.”

Lettenbichler surged ahead and never looked back, finishing in 2 hours and 49 minutes, a commanding 11 minutes ahead of Bolt, who claimed second. Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev rounded out the podium, finishing in 3 hours and 13 minutes.

Adding to the challenge, a sudden weather shift midway through the race brought fresh rain, further complicating the already treacherous course. Reduced grip and slick rock surfaces forced riders to adapt instantly or bow out. As one rider after another succumbed to the terrain, Lettenbichler’s composure and experience shone through.

“This is a special event—the race that made our sport what it is,” Bolt said after the finish. “I don’t think it would be that hard if you had all day to do the course, but there’s a time limit and 50 riders start from the same line. The intensity, at least for the first hour, is incredible.”

The event wasn’t just about the elite few who conquered the Iron Giant. With over 1,000 riders from 43 countries, the Erzbergrodeo was once again a global spectacle. Rally raid stars like Seth Quintero and Dakar 2025 winner Daniel Sanders joined the action with exhibition runs, adding to the weekend’s electric atmosphere.

But it was Lettenbichler who stood tallest—again—his fourth title underscoring a rare dominance in a sport where victory is often measured simply by survival.

As the engines fell silent and the mud began to settle, one thing was clear: in the harsh world of hard enduro, Manuel Lettenbichler reigns supreme.

Source: Red Bull Motrosports via YouTube

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2026 BMW M2 Racing

In November 2023, BMW began development of a racing car, the M2 Racing, which M boss Frank van Meel said would offer a lot of performance and enjoyment for less money. Sales will start in June and the car will cost 98,000 euros.

The BMW M2 Racing is powered by a 2.0-L turbo 4-cylinder engine (B48), instead of the 3.0-L inline 6-cylinder, which develops 313 hp and 420 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 7-speed ZF automatic transmission with a mechanical differential lock, which sends power to the rear wheels. It can reach a top speed of 270 km/h.

The car is equipped with LED headlights, rear fog lights, a traction control system, a speed limiter when entering the pits, KW shock absorbers, adjustable stabilizers, and air conditioning. Optionally, the car comes with a rear spoiler, brake pads optimized for multi-hour races, night lights, a data transfer/processing system, a jack, and an illuminated number plate. It sits on lightweight and reinforced 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/660 Good Year Eagle tires.

The cabin features GT-AM seats, seat belts, a fire extinguisher, and a roll cage that meet current FIA standards.

Source: BMW

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