In a thrilling and rain-soaked edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, Ferrari clinched a dramatic victory, overcoming Toyota in a nail-biting finish. The victorious #50 Ferrari, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, emerged as the hero of the 2024 race, navigating continuous rain showers and treacherous conditions to claim the top spot.
The #50 Ferrari began the race in fourth position at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe. However, the starting grid quickly became irrelevant as heavy rain altered strategies and shuffled the order. The race, marked by relentless rain, forced teams into a constant battle of switching between wet and slick tires, challenging their adaptability and resilience.
Finishing second was the #7 Toyota, piloted by Nyck de Vries, Kamui Kobayashi, and Jose Maria Lopez, who astonishingly started last in the Hypercar category. Ferrari not only secured the win but also celebrated a one-three finish, with the #51 car taking third place.
In the LMP2 class, the #22 United Autosports car emerged victorious, with the #34 Inter Europol Competition and #28 IDEC Sport cars completing the podium. The LMGT3 category witnessed an epic battle, ultimately won by the #91 Manthey EMA car, followed by the #31 Team WRT and #88 Proton Competition cars.
The race was marred by harsh weather conditions, featuring cold temperatures and persistent rain, culminating in a four-hour safety car period during the night due to heavy downpours and poor visibility. This challenging environment led to the retirement of 15 cars, making it one of the most difficult Le Mans 24 Hours in history. Notably, the #46 Team WRT LMGT3 car, which included motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi in its lineup, was among the retirees.
As the final hours unfolded, the race turned into a direct showdown between the #50 Ferrari and the #7 Toyota. The pivotal moment came when the #7 Toyota spun at the second corner, allowing the #50 Ferrari to seize the lead. Despite concerns over fuel strategy, the #50 Ferrari managed to hold on, completing its final pit stop earlier than rivals but still reaching the finish line first. Nielsen’s heroic final stint in the wet conditions secured Ferrari’s victory, just 14 seconds ahead of the #7 Toyota.
The win marked an extraordinary achievement for Ferrari, who now boasts 11 wins at Le Mans. The victory also signified a personal milestone for Fuoco, Molina, and Nielsen, who celebrated their first Le Mans win, making it a day they will cherish forever.
In the LMP2 class, Oliver Jarvis, Bijoy Garg, and Nolan Siegel delivered a stellar performance for United Autosports, while the LMGT3 category saw Richard Lietz, Yasser Shahin, and Morris Schuring triumph for Manthey EMA.
The 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours will be remembered as a race for the ages, with Ferrari’s relentless battle against the elements and fierce competition culminating in a hard-fought and well-deserved victory.
