Ferrari won Le Mans 24 Hours, marking their return to top-level works
Posted : 12 June 2023
In a stunning upset, Ferrari emerged victorious at the 100th anniversary edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours race, featuring British driver James Calado among their lineup.
Calado, aged 33, formed part of a three-driver team that defied the odds and triumphed over the heavily favored Toyota team. The race marked Ferrari's return as a top-level works team after a 50-year absence.
"It's an incredible achievement after such a long time," expressed Calado, acknowledging the historical significance of the victory. He went on to state, "This moment will be etched in history," solidifying his place alongside Ferrari's notable British drivers, such as Nigel Mansell from the 1980s.
Behind the wheel of the number 51 Ferrari, Alessandro Pier Guidi crossed the finish line first, following a stint by former Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi.
This triumph marks Ferrari's 10th victory at the prestigious Le Mans race, a feat that had eluded them for 58 years. The race itself was hailed as one of the most thrilling in recent memory.
The world of sportscar racing has witnessed a resurgence in manufacturer participation due to the introduction of new "hypercar" regulations. These rules have allowed for greater design flexibility, resulting in distinctively different cars from Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche, and Cadillac.
Just five years ago, Toyota stood as the sole manufacturer in the sport, and they were expected to secure their sixth consecutive victory at Le Mans in 2023, having dominated the World Endurance Championship throughout the season with their refined GR10 model.
However, a series of early crashes and heavy rain showers reshuffled the field, and Ferrari demonstrated unexpectedly consistent speed as the race progressed into the night.
With the cars running within seconds of each other for hours, Toyota's Ryo Hirakawa spun near the end of the race at Arnage corner, allowing Ferrari to maintain their lead and secure the win.
General Motors' entry, Cadillac, claimed the third spot on the podium, with British drivers Richard Westbrook and Alex Lynn contributing to their strong performance.
ADD A COMMENT :
Hot Topics
User name is required Email Id is required Comment is required
ADD A COMMENT :