Ferrari roared to a historic third straight win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, piloted by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson, crossed the line after 387 gruelling laps at Circuit de la Sarthe.
Their victory not only extended Ferrari’s Le Mans legacy to 12 wins but marked the first triumph by a privateer team since 2005.
Kubica’s Poignant Payoff
Once sidelined by a near-fatal 2011 rally crash, Robert Kubica’s Le Mans success reads like a fairy-tale comeback. The 2009 Canadian Grand Prix winner guided the hypercar through gearbox gremlins and fierce Porsche challenges, emerging as the first Polish overall champion. His resilience underlined every damp, dusk-to-dawn hour behind the wheel
Ye and Hanson Make History
Yifei Ye etched his name in the record books as the first Chinese driver to claim Le Mans glory, while Brit Phil Hanson added another marquee title to his résumé. Their steady stints—balancing pace with patience—showcase endurance racing’s growing diversity and global reach. Together, the trio embodied a perfect blend of experience, youth, and international flair.
Race Dynamics: Strategy Meets Survival
Though Ferrari’s cars occupied the top three spots for much of the race, victory hinged on split-second calls. A late spin by the No. 51 factory entry, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, briefly shifted momentum before the No. 83 seized the lead. Despite persistent gearbox issues, AF Corse’s pit crew executed flawless refuels and tire changes, keeping their charge unruffled under pressure
Ferrari’s Enduring Hypercar Edge
AF Corse’s triumph underscores the Ferrari 499P’s winning formula: cutting-edge aerodynamics, a resilient powertrain, and adaptable setups. Achieving three consecutive Le Mans wins with different driver lineups highlights both the car’s consistency and the team’s strategic depth. For Ferrari, endurance racing remains a proving ground for innovation and teamwork.
As Roger Federer waved the tricolour to start the race and over 300,000 fans cheered, the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans delivered drama, skill, and a thrilling privateer triumph, reminding us why this storied race still crowns the ultimate endurance heroes.
