This weekend, the most famous endurance race in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, celebrated its 100th anniversary, and the winner was Ferrari. They received a special jubilee cup, and it is interesting that the last time the team from Maranello was first in the general standings was in the mid-60s.
Many teams, such as Toyota Gazoo Racing, presented new cars for this jubilee race, but it was clearly not enough for success. Before the race itself, during training and in the qualifications, the Ferrari team showed that it arrived ready to conquer the track. Their Hypercar Prototype 499P, number 51, after a fierce several-hour battle with one of the two favored Toyota prototypes, reached the top podium, ending Toyota’s five-year winning streak at Le Mans, which dates back to 2018. A series that is not very well received by many fans of endurance racing, because (without real competition) the Japanese team from 2018 until this season in the FIA WEC, in fact, raced against itself.
More than 330,000 spectators were able to enjoy the race and the 10th constructor’s victory in the general standings of the Ferrari team. The main competitor, Toyota Gazoo Racing, had no chance this time. Their car, No. 8, finished second while the Cadillac finished third.
The biggest disappointment was the Porsche Penske team, as two of their three prototypes finished the race in 9th and 11th place. It is far from what we have expected from a company that celebrates its 75th birthday this year and has a record 19 Le Mans overall victories.
In the LM GTEAm class, the best was the Corvette Racing team, which will be remembered as the last team to win in Le Mans with a GTE car, because it is already known that they will be replaced by many cars from the GT3 class starting next season. It will bring more excitement, because from next season the teams of BMW, Lamborghini, Alpine, etc. will also compete.
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Source: 24 Hours of Le Mans