Ferrari Triumphs at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans Amid Fierce Competition and Challenging Conditions

Ferrari Triumphs at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans Amid Fierce Competition and Challenging Conditions

Ferrari wins at Le Mans 2024

The 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe in France, delivered another unforgettable chapter in endurance racing history. Taking place from June 15 to 16, the 2024 edition of the race brought together the world’s top manufacturers, drivers, and teams, all battling for supremacy in the most prestigious event on the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) calendar.

With the Hypercar class now fully established as the premier category, the grid was packed with powerhouse teams, including Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini, Peugeot, Alpine, and Isotta Fraschini. Meanwhile, the introduction of the LMGT3 class in place of the former GTE categories added an extra layer of excitement, allowing manufacturers like Aston Martin, Ford, McLaren, Lexus, and Corvette to showcase their next-generation GT racing machinery.

The 24-hour battle saw multiple lead changes, unpredictable weather, and dramatic incidents, making it one of the most thrilling editions in recent years. Ultimately, it was Ferrari that emerged victorious in the Hypercar class, securing back-to-back Le Mans victories and reaffirming its dominance in endurance racing.

Hypercar Class: Ferrari Clinches Victory in a Hard-Fought Battle

The premier Hypercar category saw Ferrari clinch its 11th overall victory, with the #50 Ferrari AF Corse driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen leading the field after completing 311 laps. The Italian manufacturer showcased exceptional performance and strategy, holding off fierce competition from Toyota and Porsche despite the challenging weather. The podium battle remained intense until the final hours of the race:

  1. #50 Ferrari AF Corse – Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen
  2. #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing – José María López, Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries
  3. #51 Ferrari AF Corse – Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi

The #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport car, piloted by Kévin Estre, André Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor, put up a strong fight but fell short of a podium finish, securing fourth place. Toyota, the dominant force of the previous Le Mans era, pushed hard but couldn’t outpace the Ferrari’s superior race pace in the closing stages.

LMP2 Class: United Autosports Reigns Supreme

The LMP2 category once again provided thrilling competition, with multiple teams contending for class honors. In the end, United Autosports secured a dominant victory with the #22 Oreca 07-Gibson, thanks to a stellar performance from drivers Oliver Jarvis, Bijoy Garg, and Nolan Siegel.

  1. #22 United Autosports – Oliver Jarvis, Bijoy Garg, Nolan Siegel
  2. #34 Inter Europol Competition – Jakub Śmiechowski, Vladislav Lomko, Clément Novalak
  3. #28 IDEC Sport – Paul Lafargue, Job van Uitert, Reshad de Gerus

United Autosports' victory was well-earned, with the team navigating the treacherous conditions masterfully and executing a flawless strategy to hold off Inter Europol Competition.

LMGT3 Class: Porsche Secures Historic Win in New Category

The introduction of the LMGT3 class to Le Mans marked a significant shift in GT racing, bringing in new manufacturers and a fresh level of competition. Manthey EMA’s Porsche 911 GT3 R claimed the inaugural LMGT3 victory, finishing ahead of the factory-backed BMWs and Aston Martins.

  1. #91 Manthey EMA Porsche – Richard Lietz, Morris Schuring, Yasser Shahin
  2. #31 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 – Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael, Darren Leung
  3. #88 Proton Competition Porsche – Giorgio Roda, Mikkel O. Pedersen, Dennis Olsen

The German outfit controlled the race from the midpoint onwards, using smart tire choices and superior pace to cross the line with a comfortable margin.

A Race to Remember

The 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans will be remembered not just for Ferrari’s historic win but also for the incredible battles across all three classes. With Hypercar competition reaching new heights, LMP2 delivering thrilling on-track duels, and LMGT3 proving to be a worthy successor to the GTE era, the endurance classic once again lived up to its reputation.

As teams now shift their focus to the next rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship, one thing remains certain: Le Mans continues to be the ultimate proving ground for innovation, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of speed.