Ferrari’s 499P continues to dominate the 24 Hours of Le Mans, securing a third consecutive Hypercar victory at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe. The 2025 win stands out not only for the result but because it was achieved by a new driver lineup: Robert Kubica, Philip Hanson, and Yifei Ye. Each celebrated their first overall win in this legendary endurance race, making this triumph even more memorable.
The victory was especially significant as it came two decades after the last privateer triumph at Le Mans. The #83 AF Corse entry outpaced two Ferrari factory ‘works’ cars, claiming the biggest prize in endurance racing during the fourth round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship. Despite setbacks for the factory teams, including penalties and an overnight puncture, the #83 car seized its moment in front of a record-breaking crowd of 332,000 fans.
Kubica’s drive stood out in particular. The former Formula 1 grand prix winner completed an incredible 43% of the race laps, including five consecutive stints at the race’s climax. His composure under pressure helped the team pull 14 seconds ahead of their closest competitor. Kubica’s win marked the first time a Polish driver has won Le Mans overall and came after near misses in previous years.
Philip Hanson and Yifei Ye also contributed strong performances. Hanson added this overall win to his 2020 LMP2 category victory, while Ye became the first Chinese driver to triumph at La Sarthe. Starting from 13th on the grid, their achievement was remarkable, with only two previous winners having started further back.
Power and Performance of the Ferrari 499P Hypercar
The Ferrari 499P Hypercar showcases cutting-edge engineering and blistering performance. Its hybrid powertrain combines a powerful internal combustion engine with an electric motor, delivering exceptional speed and endurance for the grueling 24-hour race. This combination ensures that the car can sustain fast lap times while managing fuel and tire efficiency. The 499P’s technical excellence clearly plays a pivotal role in its three consecutive wins at Le Mans.
Porsche and Cadillac Rivalry Highlights Race
Porsche’s #6 Penske Motorsport 963 made a spectacular recovery from last on the Hypercar grid to finish second. Kévin Estre and teammates impressed with aggressive and consistent driving, marking Porsche’s best result this season. Meanwhile, Cadillac struggled to replicate its qualifying form, with the pole-winning #12 Hertz Team JOTA car finishing fifth.
Defending world champions Toyota endured a tough race. Despite past successes, their best finish was sixth place with the #7 GR010 Hybrid. The event reminded all teams of the fierce competition and unpredictability that Le Mans offers.
Manthey’s LMGT3 Winning Streak Continues
In the LMGT3 class, Manthey Racing claimed victory again with drivers Richard Lietz, Riccardo Pera, and Ryan Hardwick. They narrowly beat the Vista AF Corse Ferrari and TF Sport Corvette. For Lietz, it was his sixth career win at Le Mans, underscoring his consistent excellence in GT racing.
Drama in LMP2 Adds Excitement
The LMP2 category delivered late drama as Inter Europol Competition’s #43 ORECA-Gibson prototype was penalized for pit-lane speeding. Despite this setback, Nick Yelloly and the team managed to regain the lead in the final minutes to secure the win. This marked Inter Europol’s second Le Mans victory in three years.
Looking ahead, the 2025 FIA WEC season continues with the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo at Interlagos in Brazil in July, promising more thrilling endurance racing action.
The Ferrari 499P’s latest triumph solidifies its legacy as a formidable Hypercar and showcases the skill and determination of its drivers. The endurance racing world watches eagerly as Ferrari aims to extend its winning streak.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and race results from the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans event.
Source: Fia
