Highlights from the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours

Ferrari has once again demonstrated its unrivalled mastery of endurance racing, securing a historic third consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The No. 83 Ferrari 499P, expertly driven by Yifei Ye, Phil Hanson, and Robert Kubica, not only sealed a triumphant return to the top but also marked a milestone with Ye becoming the first Chinese driver to claim overall victory at this iconic event. This latest win solidifies Ferrari’s 499P hypercar as a dominant force and heralds a new golden era reminiscent of the marque’s legendary success in the 1960s.

Ferrari Clinches Third Consecutive Le Mans Victory

Ferrari continued its extraordinary run in endurance motorsport by winning the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking its third straight triumph at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. The winning car, the No. 83 Ferrari 499P, was piloted by Yifei Ye, Phil Hanson and Robert Kubica, representing AF Corse in its bold Giallo Modena livery. Their commanding performance adds another chapter to Ferrari’s recent return to endurance dominance, while Yifei Ye’s victory marks a historic first, making him the first Chinese driver ever to stand atop the overall podium at Le Mans.

Because Ferrari has now won three consecutive editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2023, 2024, and 2025), the Italian marque earns the rare honour of retaining the winners’ trophy permanently. These victories also mark a revival of Ferrari’s golden era in endurance racing, evoking its six-year winning streak during the 1960s. The 499P Hypercar is fast becoming a modern icon — undefeated at Le Mans since its debut, with each of its entries reaching the top step of the podium.

A Double Podium Finish for the Prancing Horse

Ferrari’s success didn’t stop with the win. The No. 51 499P — driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi — finished third, securing crucial championship points. Close behind was the No. 50 Ferrari, the same car that won Le Mans in 2024, with drivers Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen rounding out Ferrari’s strong overall performance. The victory was celebrated on-site by Ferrari Chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, in front of a massive crowd of over 330,000 spectators.

Kubica’s Comeback: From F1 Setback to Le Mans Glory

In one of the most emotional narratives of the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours, former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica took a commanding win behind the wheel of the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P. Sharing the cockpit with China’s Yifei Ye and Britain’s Phil Hanson, the trio crossed the finish line just over 14 seconds ahead of the No. 6 Porsche 963, driven by Kevin Estre.

For Kubica, now 40, the win is especially poignant. Once considered among the most talented F1 drivers of his generation — alongside names like Lewis Hamilton — Kubica’s top-flight career was derailed in 2011 by a near-fatal rally crash that left him with serious injuries and permanent damage to his right arm. His perseverance led to a return to Formula 1 in 2019 with Williams and a brief stint with Alfa Romeo in 2021, but the Le Mans victory marks a full-circle moment in his racing career.

A Hypercar Era in Full Roar

This year’s race unfolded under relatively calm conditions, with fewer incidents than usual among the 62-car grid. Yet the hypercar class still delivered moments of drama and innovation. Aston Martin’s return to Le Mans’ top class was one of the most anticipated moments of the event. Fielding their Valkyrie entries — named 007 and 009 — the British marque brought back the evocative scream of a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12, thrilling fans with retro-styled aerodynamics and an engine note straight out of the 1970s. While the team didn’t finish near the front, just completing the 24 hours was considered a successful debut.

Manufacturers like Ferrari, Peugeot, Alpine, Porsche, BMW, Toyota, and Cadillac were joined this year by Aston Martin, with Hyundai (via Genesis) confirmed to enter the hypercar category in 2026 and Ford and McLaren set to join the fold by 2027 — signalling a growing renaissance for endurance racing.

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