As all things with Ferrari, the #50 red-clad 499P driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen won the 2024 Le Mans 24 hour race, in the most dramatic fashion. In the rich history of Le Mans, Ferrari has found itself a coveted spot after a relentless battle on the track with rain adding to the theatrics. Battling treacherous conditions, Fuoco, Molina and Nielsen navigated the conditions to take the team from the fourth position to the top of the podium.
Not only that, Ferrari also secured a one-three position, as last year’s winners Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovianazzi and James Calado finished third with #51.
The 92nd Grand Prix d’Endurance proved to be an especially emotional triumph for the three Ferrari drivers, as it marked their first-ever victory at Le Mans. For Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, this win was not just a career milestone but a testament to their skill and perseverance under some of the most challenging conditions in motorsport.
The intensity of the race was etched on Nicklas Nielsen’s face, who was visibly moved as he crossed the finish line. Tears of joy and relief streamed down the Dane’s face after an extraordinary final stint. Despite the conditions, 27 year-old Nielsen, with his determination, got the Ferrari over the finish line.
While leading the race, Nielsen ran into a problem with a door that wouldn’t close properly. To avoid a mandatory pit stop for repairs, he tried desperately to slam it shut while driving. Despite his determined efforts from the cockpit, he couldn’t get the door to stay closed. Ultimately, an extra stop had to be added to close the door where the mechanic thought nothing and gave the door a hard shove. Nielsen was on his way but had lost the lead to Toyota. But with Ferrari’s impeccable pace, Nielsen took the lead back.
Ferrari started the race at the fourth position on the grid at the Circuit de la Sarthe. But the race quickly took an exciting turn as the relentless rain forced teams to up their ante and keep switching between wet and slick tyres. The conditions truly tested the resilience of every driver.
Sandwiched between the two Ferraris, Nyck de Vries, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez’s #7 Toyota finished second. Toyota’s win was equalling gruelling considering the hypercar had actually started last in the hypercar category. For a young de Vries, this win will be an unforgettable moment after his early exit from Formula 1.
Ferrari now boasts 11 wins, including two consecutive victories, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This triumph is bound to hold a special place in the hearts of Ferrari fans. This race represented the pinnacle of motorsport, set against a backdrop of dangerous conditions that kept everyone on the edge. Throughout the event, the outcome remained uncertain, with the winner impossible to predict until the very end.