The Ferrari 499P Hypercar remains undefeated at Le Mans in 2025! For the third consecutive time, the Italian sports car manufacturer won at the Circuit de la Sarthe. After 24 hours of racing, Robert Kubica, Philip Hanson, and Yifei Ye celebrated a historic victory in the 93rd running of the endurance classic.
For the first time in the history of the Hypercar class, a private team secured the overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The #83 AF Corse car prevailed against the two previous winners from AF Corse in France, thus winning the season highlight.
The Ferrari 499P’s winning streak began in 2023, when the #51 became the first Ferrari to take overall victory at Le Mans since 1965. Last year, its sister car, the #50, triumphed. This year, the two factory cars were once again at the front. However, a series of penalties and an unfortunate tire puncture during the night put pressure on the red cars, allowing the #83 to extend its lead.
Drivers Hanson and Ye delivered a strong performance, but it was their teammate Robert Kubica who thrilled the spectators. The former Formula 1 driver spent an impressive eleven hours behind the wheel, completing five consecutive stints before the end of the race and crossing the finish line with a 14-second lead.
Kubica is thus the first Pole to add his name to the list of Le Mans victories. After losing his LMP2 victory on the final lap in 2021 due to a faulty throttle sensor, this year’s victory certainly tastes particularly sweet. For Philip Hanson, this is his first overall victory at Le Mans following his 2020 LMP2 victory, while Yifei Ye became the first Chinese driver to triumph at the French circuit.
Just as impressive as the performance of the Ferrari trio, who started the race from 13th place, was the comeback of the #6 Porsche 963. After being disqualified in qualifying, the car started from last place in the Hypercar class and fought its way up to second place.
Within just 23 laps, Kévin Estre fought his way to second place behind his teammate Julien Andlauer in the sister car, the #5. The reigning Drivers’ World Champion was one of the fastest drivers in the field throughout the entire race. Together with Laurens Vanthoor and Matt Campbell, he visibly put the leading Ferraris under pressure and celebrated another podium finish at Le Mans.
The World Championship leaders, Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, kept their cool despite engine problems and completed the podium in the #51 Ferrari. The #50 499P with Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina followed closely behind, while the #12 Cadillac, which started from pole, rounded out the top five.
Manthey with LMGT3 class victory
With the #92 crew of Richard Lietz, Riccardo Pera, and Ryan Hardwick, the German Manthey team secured its second consecutive Le Mans victory. Second and third, respectively, went to the #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari and the #81 TF Sport Corvette. With this victory, 41-year-old Richard Lietz crowned himself a six-time Le Mans winner.
Heart-stopping finale in LMP2
Inter Europol Competition appeared to be on course for victory in the LMP2 category with the #43 ORECA-Gibson, but a late drive-through penalty for excessive speed in the pit lane dropped the team behind VDS Panis Racing.
This seemed to be the deciding factor until Esteban Masson suddenly slowed down in the final 20 minutes. This allowed Nick Yelloly to overtake again and secure the Polish team’s second Le Mans victory in three years.
The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans also provided plenty of excitement and thrills at the track and in front of the television screens. A look back at the first hours of the race and the night phase can be found in our archive.
Podium images © Martin.Motorsport | Other images © Endurance Archive