Ferrari Ends 58-Year Drought with Historic Le Mans 24 Hours Victory
Ferrari achieved a historic victory at the Centenary edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, ending a 58-year wait for an overall win. The No. 51 Ferrari 499P, driven by James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Antonio Giovinazzi, defeated pre-race favorites Toyota in a chaotic race marked by changeable weather and multiple accidents. Despite concerns regarding the new car's reliability and high tire wear, Ferrari adopted a conservative strategy during the difficult night conditions before attacking in the second half. The team overcame technical glitches, including engine restart issues during pit stops, to finish more than a minute ahead of the leading Toyota. This triumph prevented Toyota from matching Ferrari’s record of six consecutive wins from the 1960s. For British driver James Calado, the win marked a significant personal milestone, making him only the second Briton to win Le Mans for Ferrari. The event, celebrated with a champagne shower, highlighted Ferrari's successful return to the top prototype class as a factory team for the first time since 1973, silencing critics who doubted the hybrid system's durability after earlier season failures.
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Ferrari Ends 58-Year Drought with Historic Le Mans 24 Hours Victory
Ferrari achieved a historic victory at the Centenary edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours, ending a 58-year wait for an overall win. The No. 51 Ferrari 499P, driven by James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Antonio Giovinazzi, defeated pre-race favorites Toyota in a chaotic race marked by changeable weather and multiple accidents. Despite concerns regarding the new car's reliability and high tire wear, Ferrari adopted a conservative strategy during the difficult night conditions before attacking in the second half. The team overcame technical glitches, including engine restart issues during pit stops, to finish more than a minute ahead of the leading Toyota. This triumph prevented Toyota from matching Ferrari’s record of six consecutive wins from the 1960s. For British driver James Calado, the win marked a significant personal milestone, making him only the second Briton to win Le Mans for Ferrari. The event, celebrated with a champagne shower, highlighted Ferrari's successful return to the top prototype class as a factory team for the first time since 1973, silencing critics who doubted the hybrid system's durability after earlier season failures.
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