Tag Archives: Ferrari

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 296 Speciale Piloti: Hybrid Power Meets Racing Heritage

Under the thundering echoes of motorsport history at Circuit de la Sarthe, Ferrari has officially unveiled its latest masterpiece: the 296 Speciale “Piloti Ferrari”, an exclusive evolution of the 296 GTB created for the marque’s most devoted racing clients. The reveal, strategically timed ahead of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, reinforces Ferrari’s deep-rooted connection to endurance racing and celebrates recent victories in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

This unique configuration is the latest expression of Ferrari’s Tailor Made programme, designed exclusively for Ferrari’s client racing drivers — those who embody the brand’s racing spirit both on and off the track. Inspired by the 499P Hypercar, which claimed historic back-to-back victories at Le Mans in 2023 and 2024, the 296 Speciale Piloti Ferrari mirrors the ethos of competition and craftsmanship.

A Racing-Inspired Creation

The 296 Speciale is not just a car; it’s a high-performance homage to Ferrari’s victorious return to top-tier endurance racing. The Piloti Ferrari specification is distinguished by its motorsport aesthetic, including a livery drawn directly from the victorious 499P, complete with Giallo Modena accents, a hand-painted WEC logo, and the Italian tricolour proudly displayed on the front bumper. Clients can personalize their car with a racing number — the debut model at Le Mans features #51, honoring the team of Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi, who secured Ferrari’s Le Mans win in 2023.

Buyers can choose from four track-inspired colours: Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona, and Argento Nürburgring. Each shade pays homage to Ferrari’s racing DNA and is reserved exclusively for clients actively involved in Ferrari’s official racing activities.

Inside the Cockpit: Function Meets Emotion

The interior of the 296 Speciale Piloti Ferrari is a deliberate fusion of functionality and elegance. Racing seats are upholstered in thermoformed black Alcantara, with inserts made of the same fireproof fabric used in official Ferrari racing suits. Carbon fibre details are found throughout, including a customizable interior plaque and door sills engraved with personal dedications. The client’s chosen number is even mirrored inside the cabin, reinforcing the car’s track-oriented identity.

Performance Born on the Track

At the heart of the 296 Speciale is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that blends a 120° V6 twin-turbo engine with an electric motor, producing a jaw-dropping 880 cv. Technologies derived directly from Formula 1 — including a lightened and reinforced ICE unit and Ferrari’s fast shift DCT transmission strategy — ensure breathtaking acceleration and razor-sharp responsiveness. Compared to the 296 GTB, weight has been reduced, and aerodynamic downforce increased by 20%, thanks to innovations like rear gamma wings and a reworked diffuser.

A newly developed extra boost software unleashes the car’s full power during high-performance laps, making it an elite machine for the track-hardened driver.

Homage to the 499P: The Return of a Legend

The 296 Speciale draws direct inspiration from Ferrari’s latest endurance icon — the 499P, which brought Maranello back to the pinnacle of endurance racing after a 50-year absence. Built to Hypercar regulations, the 499P boasts a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, hybrid all-wheel-drive, and a 3-litre twin-turbo V6 combined with a front-mounted electric motor.

With victories at Le Mans in both 2023 (#51) and 2024 (#50), the 499P has become a symbol of Ferrari’s relentless pursuit of excellence in racing. The 296 Speciale seeks to echo that success in the hands of the brand’s most passionate and loyal clients.

Tailor Made: The Ferrari Way of Expression

Ferrari’s Tailor Made program lies at the heart of this project. Offering unprecedented levels of personalization, the program enables clients to design cars that are extensions of their own identity. Through collections like Classica, Inedita, and Scuderia, clients are guided by expert designers to achieve a balance between personal expression and Ferrari’s timeless design heritage.

With the debut of the 296 Speciale Piloti Ferrari at Le Mans, Ferrari not only honors its illustrious past and ongoing victories but also strengthens the sacred bond between the Prancing Horse and those who live for the thrill of racing. This is not merely a car — it is a celebration of legacy, performance, and personal passion.

Source: Ferrari

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Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2001 sold for 15.98 million euros

A few days ago, a Ferrari F2001 owned by Michael Schumacher was sold at auction for 15,980,000 euros. It is one of the most expensive F1 cars ever sold at auction, and the entire amount was paid to the Keep Fighting Foundation, which continues the charitable work of the seven-time F1 champion.

This car from the 2001 season achieved outstanding results with drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. Thanks to them, at the end of the season Ferrari was the constructors’ champion with 179 points, 77 more than McLaren-Mercedes, and Schumacher became the drivers’ champion with 123 points.

“Just winning the Monaco Grand Prix would make this car very significant, but the fact that it was driven in a season that saw the drivers’ and constructors’ titles, the first ever tied in Ferrari’s history, takes it to a whole new level. We are excited that chassis 211 is once again at the site of a historic victory, and it is a privilege to be selling the car during the Monaco race weekend,” said Augustin Sabatie-Garat, sales director at RM Sotheby’s.

Also, what makes this F1 car stand out from the rest is that this Ferrari F2001 is the only car in which a German driver has won both the Monaco Grand Prix and the drivers’ title, as well as the last car to win Monaco in the same year as he won the title.

The F2001 is powered by a 3.0-litre V10 engine that develops 825 hp. It should also be noted that the most expensive Ferrari ever sold was the one driven by the legendary Michael Schumacher.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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