The 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans saw a record of nine cars finish on the lead lap, thanks in part to the intervention of safety cars and the heavy rain that caused a long pause in the race. The competition at the front was intense, with the same two manufacturers fighting for victory. However, there was still a battle for prestige behind them. Let’s take a look at the winners and losers of the Hypercar class in this year’s main event of the World Endurance Championship.
The victory of Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans was impressive not only because they defended their title, but also because of how they did it. All the cars that finished on the lead lap faced issues during the race, including the Ferrari #50. However, what set Ferrari apart was the timing of their setback. A loose door forced a pit stop that put them out of sync with their rivals, but they managed to overcome it and secure the victory in the final two hours. Driver Nicklas Nielsen remained calm at the wheel and assured Ferrari that they had control over the energy conservation goals. This victory was free of any performance asterisks, unlike last year’s win, and Ferrari even managed to place their second factory car on the podium.
The AF Corse Ferrari #83 team had a rollercoaster race. Robert Kubica started in 12th place but quickly climbed to the front. However, a collision with Dries Vanthoor during the night while the car was still leading had devastating consequences for the BMW driver. Despite a 30-second penalty, the #83 fought back and was in contention for victory. Unfortunately, their charge was interrupted in the pits due to smoke coming from the front of the car. It was a disappointing end to a race that showed great promise.
The Toyota #7 team had their fair share of bad luck at Le Mans. Kamui Kobayashi’s qualifying round meant they started from the back of the pack, and Nyck de Vries had a collision with the Lexus #78 during warm-up. However, they managed to finish as runners-up, which was a remarkable achievement considering the last-minute lineup change. Jose Maria Lopez was brought back as a substitute for the injured Mike Conway, and he performed admirably. Despite some setbacks, Toyota decided to settle for second place with half an hour remaining.
Alpine had reliability concerns before the race and unfortunately suffered a double retirement. Both cars retired early due to engine failures. Although their single lap speed seemed promising, this result was a disappointment. It highlights the work that needs to be done if Alpine wants to be competitive at the front in the future.
Lamborghini may not have had the same single lap speed as Alpine and BMW, but they delivered when it mattered. Their effort resulted in a top ten finish, surpassing an established Peugeot team on merit. Peugeot, on the other hand, finished 11th and 12th, two laps behind. Although they didn’t have any technical issues, this performance was disappointing for a manufacturer in their third year of return to the WEC. It raises questions about their ability to compete with the leaders.
The Jota #12 Porsche led the pack of private teams and finished ahead of its sister car at the checkered flag. Its performance was even more impressive considering the accident in practice that required a rebuild of the car. Despite this setback, the car ran without issues in the race, showcasing the skill of the Jota mechanics. However, it is hard not to see this as a missed opportunity. The #12 car has been competitive throughout the year, and there was a chance for a good result if it had made it to the Hyperpole.
BMW had high hopes for its return to the top class at Le Mans, but two impacts that ruined the race frustrated those hopes. The #20 car suffered major consequences from a minor touch on the curb, while the #15 car was involved in a terrifying collision with the leading Ferrari. BMW salvaged a podium in the GT3 class, but their effort in the Hypercar class fell short of expectations.
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The football championship is coming to an end and the race for the title is more intense than ever. The teams are giving their best on the field to conquer victory and take home the coveted trophy. This week, we had exciting and surprising games that left the fans on the edge of their seats.
In the first game, the home team faced a tough opponent and managed to come out victorious. The players showed a lot of determination and grit, not allowing the opponent to score any goals. The standout of the match was the forward, who scored two goals and was crucial to the team’s victory.
In the second game, we had an impressive turnaround. The visiting team started losing by two goals, but managed to recover and turn the game around in the final minutes. The crowd went wild with the victory and the players celebrated on the field.
Furthermore, we had a confrontation between two rival teams that always protagonize great games. The classic was highly contested and full of excitement. The players gave their all on the field and did their best to achieve victory. In the end, the draw prevailed, but the rivalry between the teams remains strong.
With the end of the championship approaching, the expectation for the next games only increases. The teams are preparing intensely and the fans are eager to see who will be the great champion. It will be a fierce competition until the last minute and any team can take the title home.
Stay tuned for the next matches and don’t miss any of the exciting moments of this final stretch. The championship is heating up and promises many emotions. Who will be the great winner? Only time will tell.
