The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, held on June 14 and 15, 2025, crowned Ferrari as the winner for the third consecutive year, with the No. 83 car from AF Corse, driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Philip Hanson, crossing the finish line in the lead of the Hypercar category. The race, marked by technical challenges and bold strategies, took place at the iconic La Sarthe circuit in France under varied weather conditions that tested the teams’ endurance. Despite issues faced by all three Ferraris during the night, the No. 83 recovered at dawn and solidified its lead in the final hours. The victory reinforces the Italian manufacturer’s supremacy in the competition, while Porsche and Cadillac surprised with strong performances. The event drew thousands of spectators and highlighted the technological evolution of endurance cars.
The competition, one of the most prestigious in global motorsport, brought together 62 teams across the Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGT3 categories. Ferrari faced strong competition, particularly from Porsche, which secured second place with the No. 6 Penske 963, driven by Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell. The podium was completed by Ferrari’s No. 51, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, despite technical issues in the final hours for the factory Ferraris.
- Key race highlights:
- Ferrari No. 83 led after a strategic recovery.
- Porsche overcame a last-position start to reach the podium.
- Cadillac achieved fifth place, the best among other brands.
The race narrative was filled with twists, with penalties and mechanical failures altering the standings across all categories. Below are details of the race’s key moments.
Ferrari’s dominance in the Hypercar category
Ferrari’s dominance in the Hypercar category was clear, though not without challenges. The No. 83 car, entered by the private AF Corse team, faced issues during the night, including a prolonged pit stop. Recovery came with an aggressive strategy at dawn, allowing Kubica, Ye, and Hanson to take the lead. Consistency in the final laps was crucial to maintaining the advantage over Porsche, which finished just 14.084 seconds behind.
The factory Ferraris, No. 50 and No. 51, also delivered notable performances, but technical failures in the last two hours prevented a triple podium for the manufacturer. The No. 51, with Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi, secured third place, while the No. 50, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina, finished fourth. Instructions to hold positions in the final hour avoided unnecessary risks.
The Hypercar category saw 23 cars competing, with brands like Toyota, Cadillac, Alpine, and Peugeot challenging Ferrari. Toyota, traditionally strong, had a frustrating race and finished sixth with the No. 7, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries, one lap behind the leader.
Porsche’s stunning recovery
Porsche was one of the race’s biggest highlights, particularly the No. 6 Penske car. After starting from the back of the grid due to a penalty, Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell staged a remarkable recovery. The trio gained positions overnight and, with well-executed pit stop strategies, secured second place. This was the best result for the 963 model at Le Mans since its debut in 2023.
Other Porsche cars also performed solidly. The No. 5, with Julien Andlauer, Michael Christensen, and Mathieu Jaminet, finished seventh, while the No. 4, driven by Luiz Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Pascal Wehrlein, came in ninth. The team’s consistency showcased the competitiveness of the 963, even in a Ferrari-dominated race.
- Factors in Porsche No. 6’s recovery:
- Optimized pit stop strategy.
- Aggressive driving by Estre in the early hours.
- Capitalizing on safety car periods.
- Maintaining consistency in adverse weather conditions.
Cadillac stands out among other brands
Cadillac surprised by securing fifth place with the No. 12 V-Series.R, driven by Alex Lynn, Will Stevens, and Norman Nato. Starting from pole position, the Jota team maintained a competitive pace but couldn’t match the Ferraris and Porsches in the final stages. Still, the result marked Cadillac as the best non-podium brand, outperforming giants like Toyota and Peugeot.
Another Cadillac car, the No. 38, with Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais, and Jenson Button, finished eighth, reinforcing the American manufacturer’s competitiveness. The presence of experienced drivers like Button, a former Formula 1 champion, brought visibility to the team.
Toyota’s struggles at Le Mans
Toyota, a five-time Le Mans winner, faced a disappointing edition. The No. 7 car finished one lap behind the leader, while the No. 8, with Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa, ended in 16th, seven laps back. Pace issues and strategic missteps compromised the Japanese team’s performance, which had been a pre-race favorite.
Toyota’s lack of podium finishes reflects the growing competitiveness of the Hypercar category, with Ferrari and Porsche solidifying their positions. The team now focuses on adjustments for the next World Endurance Championship (WEC) season.
Thrilling LMP2 victory
In the LMP2 category, the Inter Europol team clinched victory with the No. 43 Oreca, driven by Tom Dillmann, Jakub Smiechowski, and Nick Yelloly. The team overcame a late drive-through penalty and capitalized on mechanical issues for the No. 28 VDS Panis Racing, which had been leading.
LMP2, known for its competitiveness, featured 23 cars. Other teams, like the No. 48 Cool Racing and No. 199 AO by TF, completed the category podium with consistent performances over the 24 hours.
- Key LMP2 moments:
- No. 43’s penalty didn’t derail its victory.
- Mechanical failures eliminated the No. 28 from the lead.
- Tight competition with 23 cars in the fight.
Porsche shines in LMGT3
The LMGT3 category was dominated by Porsche, with the No. 92 Manthey car, driven by Richard Lietz, Ryan Hardwick, and Riccardo Pera, taking the win. The team held the lead in the final hours, beating the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari, which finished second.
LMGT3 featured 23 cars, including brands like Chevrolet, Aston Martin, and Lexus. The diversity of manufacturers and drivers, including amateurs, added dynamism to the category, with intense battles until the end.
Track conditions and strategies
The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans saw variable weather, with light rain overnight and a dry track on Sunday. These changes demanded constant adjustments in tire and pit stop strategies. Teams like Ferrari and Porsche excelled in adaptability, while others, like Toyota, struggled.
Safety car periods, common at Le Mans due to incidents, also shaped the race. Porsche’s No. 6, for instance, used these interruptions to close the initial gap. Fuel and tire management was another decisive factor, especially in Hypercar.
Race numbers and trivia
The 2025 Le Mans edition was one of the most competitive in recent years, with 62 cars starting and 48 finishing. Ferrari cemented its dominance, but the rise of Porsche and Cadillac signals an increasingly balanced Hypercar category.
- Notable race stats:
- Total distance covered by the winner: approximately 5,400 km.
- Laps completed by No. 83: 380.
- Top speed recorded: 340 km/h on the Mulsanne straight.
- Total race time: 24 hours, with 8 safety cars.
Le Mans 2025 legacy
Ferrari’s victory underscores its importance in endurance racing, while Porsche’s recovery and Cadillac’s performance highlight the technological evolution of race cars. The event also showcased seasoned drivers like Robert Kubica and rising stars like Yifei Ye, who shone at La Sarthe.
The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be remembered for its competitiveness and surprises, solidifying the race as one of motorsport’s greatest challenges. The 2026 edition promises even more battles, with manufacturers refining strategies to challenge Ferrari.
