The Italian team emerged as the winner in a tough and challenging race that pushed each competitor to their limit and beyond. Nine Hypercars managed to stay on the same lap as the leader when the checkered flag signaled the end of the 92nd edition of this prestigious event.
It is worth noting that none of the 63 cars on the grid had an easy race. However, the impressive field of 23 Hypercars captivated the attention of nearly 400,000 fans who gathered from all corners of the world at the Sarthe circuit. The event was impeccably organized and turned into an incredible spectacle.
On the track, the Gazoo Toyota Racing team, a former five-time winner, finished in second place once again. Nyck de Vries, Kamui Kobayashi, and Jose Maria Lopez closely followed the victorious Ferrari 50 in their GR010 Hybrid number 7. The second Ferrari 51, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, completed the podium.
They managed to hold off Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor from Penske Porsche by just one second. Sebastien Buemi, Ben Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa finished second for Toyota, while Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, and Fred Makowiecki secured sixth place for Porsche.
Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, and Alex Palou secured seventh place for Cadillac, with the two JOTA 963s and the new Lamborghini Hypercar completing the top ten. Two Peugeots, the second Lamborghini, and the Isotta Fraschini followed in 14th position. The race was filled with intrigue, and the ever-changing conditions tested the survival skills of the participants, although it was marked by numerous safety car incidents that lasted for hours.
Since the beginning, Ferrari launched an aggressive attack. Car number 50 quickly rose to second place, following Kevin Estre’s Porsche, who had stolen the pole position, before overtaking him. The second Ferrari 51 also quickly rose to second place, leaving Estre, the AF Corse Ferrari 83, and the Toyota 8 behind. The first two stages were smooth, without major dramas, but the rain started to fall during the third pit stops, forcing several cars to switch to rain tires, despite most of the track remaining dry.
The decision proved to be incorrect. The pair of Ferraris, Robert Kubica in the yellow car and car 50, demonstrated this by staying with slick tires and establishing a substantial lead, which they maintained for a few hours. However, the lead on the track fluctuated as the chasing group, who had switched back to dry tires, were not in sync with the ideal strategy and took the lead each time the current leaders made pit stops. This pattern repeated itself a few laps later.
Intermittent light rains had no impact on the race, as the situation remained the same, with the yellow and red Ferraris 50 leading into the night. The dynamics of the race changed when night fell. Kubica in the leading yellow Ferrari collided with the overtaking BMW 20, causing Robin Frijns to crash into the barriers at the end of the Mulsanne straight.
The safety car was deployed and remained on the track for two hours while the Le Mans officials repaired the barriers until just after midnight. When the race resumed, Kubica received a 30-second penalty for his involvement in the accident with the BMW. This left the yellow Ferrari involved in an intense battle for the lead against the faster Toyotas, Porsches, and red Ferraris in front. Heavy rain and thick fog forced the safety car to return for an extended period until dawn.
The race finally restarted under green flag conditions at dawn, with the lead constantly changing as the rain came and went. Different strategies, mainly caused by unfortunate incidents that led cars to stop out of sync, unfolded, making the last quarter of the race crucial as the various Ferraris, Toyotas, Porsches, and Cadillacs took turns in the lead.
Once the situation stabilized, Toyota seemed to have the advantage. However, a collision between car 8 and Ferrari 51 resulted in a 5-second penalty for the Ferrari. The other two Ferraris also faced their own problems. The yellow car retired from the race in the 20th hour, while car 50 had to come in to fix a loose door. Ferrari also took the opportunity to refuel the car at that time.
This decision would prove to be a stroke of fate, as Ferrari 50 only needed to refuel one more time. Their situation was further simplified when substitute driver Lopez made the leading Toyota spin with an hour remaining. Consequently, Nielsen emerged from the pits as the leader after his final out-of-sync stop. However, he had to save fuel to reach the finish line, which he did remarkably, securing a 17-second victory with only 2% of energy remaining for his car 499P.
A Ferrari conquered its 12th victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, marking its second consecutive victory since its return after a 50-year absence in 2023. This triumph prevented Gazoo Toyota from achieving its sixth victory at Le Mans and prevented Porsche, the favorite before the race, from achieving its 20th victory. Cadillac also impressed by remaining competitive throughout the race. A total of nine cars, including two Ferraris, two Toyotas, five Porsches, and one Cadillac, finished on the same lap as the leader.
Among the other competitors, Lamborghini stood out as the best-performing newcomer, finishing in tenth and thirteenth places. Under pressure, Peugeot had a forgettable race, finding itself among the Lamborghinis. The question is whether this third-generation team will survive to compete again. Isotta Fraschini, the underdog, persevered and managed to finish the race.
Unfortunately, it was a weekend to forget for BMWs, as both cars succumbed to a series of accidents. The Alpines, despite their promising start, suffered engine failures before nightfall. It’s time for them to start over. Two of the three Cadillacs retired, one due to an accident and the other plagued by technical problems. The yellow Ferrari, the leader at the beginning, also encountered technical issues, and the sixth Porsche crashed.
With all these events, the battle for the 2024 World Endurance Championship title is wide open. Porsche currently leads with 108 points, just nine points ahead of Ferrari, with 99 points. Reigning champions Toyota are only three points behind Ferrari. The rest of this year’s WEC promises to be as exciting as the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
In the LMP2 category, Oliver Jarvis, Bijoy Garg, and Nolan Siegel from United Autosports emerged as the winners, leaving the 2023 champions, InterEuropol, in second place with Clemen Novalak, Jakub Smieschowski, and Vladislav Lomko. From Gurus, Job and van Uitert from IDEC Sport secured the third position.
Although Porsche did not win the overall race, their 911 model claimed victory in the new LMGT3 class. Richard Lietz, Yasser Shahin, and Morris Schuring piloted the Manthey EMA 911 GT3 R to the top after a fierce competition with Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael, and Darren Leung. Two Ford Mustangs made their debut at Le Mans and finished in third and fourth places.
The 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans race was truly an epic event in every aspect. With a record-breaking grid, it delivered impressive races and a result that pleased the majority of the nearly 400,000 spectators. Considered one of the most important motor racing events on the modern calendar, the countdown has already begun for the 2025 race on the endless Road to Le Mans. (Reported by Michele Lupini from Le Mans)
© 2024
Recently, a shocking scandal rocked the sports world. A football star was caught in a doping scandal that left fans in shock. The player, whose name we cannot disclose for legal reasons, was caught in a drug test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This discovery has shaken the sports world and left many wondering about the integrity of the game.
The player in question is known for their exceptional skills and is considered one of the best in the world. However, now their reputation is tarnished by this shocking discovery. Fans are disappointed and feel betrayed by their idol.
The doping scandal not only affects the player’s career, but also raises doubts about the credibility of the sport in general. Many wonder how many other athletes are doping and going unnoticed by tests. It is a sad reality that questions the integrity and ethics of the players.
The World Anti-Doping Agency is investigating the case and promises to take strict measures against the player. If found guilty, he may face a long-term suspension and even be banned from the sport. These severe consequences are a reminder to all athletes that doping will not be tolerated and justice will be served.
We hope that this scandal serves as a warning to players and the sports industry as a whole. It is important that everyone involved follows the rules and plays fair. Fans deserve a fair and honest sport, and it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure this.
As the investigation continues, we will be attentive to further developments and provide updates on this shocking scandal. Stay tuned for more information on the case and to learn about the consequences awaiting the involved player. The sports world is in shock, but we hope that this situation brings positive changes and helps preserve the integrity of the game.
