Le Mans 24 hour preview: Ferrari conquers the world

It’s Ferrari against the world in the 100th run of the world’s toughest auto race.

The Italian supercar company has revolved around the hero category of the classic Le Mans 24 Hour race for exactly 50 years but is back in 2023 with new enthusiasm.

It injects much-needed passion and excitement into this weekend’s centennial race by beating practice and qualifying with the fastest two laps by its all-new 499P hybrid driver. .

New hybrid rules and a new approach to both the competition at Le Mans, as well as the World Endurance Championship, drew Ferrari back from the sidelines and into the spotlight.

But Porsche is back. And Peugeot. And the Toyota team that has dominated in France in recent years is continuing its journey at Le Mans.

Even Cadillac got in on the action and chasing titles that still mean as much to everyday drivers around the world as winning the Monaco Grand Prix or Indianapolis 500.

General Motors President Mark Reuss said: “Truly, anything can happen – and the world will watch. auto expert.

He’s a conscientious racer, former Holden CEO, and the man who greenlit Cadillac’s attack at Le Mans after a winning streak with the Chevrolet Corvette.

“Receiving an invitation to compete here is an honor for both Cadillac and Chevrolet. The opportunity to compete with the best in the world – drivers, teams and equipment – ​​is exhilarating.”

Things were going well for Cadillac during race preparations, until they failed. The American prototype was third fastest for a while in the battle for pole position, until a very public and embarrassing engine explosion caused a spectacular fire. That’s Le Mans.

So Ferrari will start in the front row, in front of a pair of Toyotas and then a repaired Cadillac.

Peugeot? The French favorites weren’t even fast enough to qualify for the shootout.

And that’s the thing about Le Mans. Everything is different, and in 2023 that even means a new generation of hybrid drivers will lead the field.

The total line-up is made up of 63 sports cars, not single-seaters, and each is shared by three riders.

They run two laps around the clock in a race that can even – as Toyota demonstrated – lose on the last lap.

In many ways, Le Mans is like a giant street party centered around a car race. There’s a 24-hour amusement park, bars in all parts of the track, huge fields full of campers. And that’s just the beginning…

Even so, the competition is serious and extremely competitive.

Porsche has made a name for itself as a legendary sports car brand with its best record at Le Mans – 19 overall wins – although Toyota has set the benchmark in recent years with five wins. enemy.

Ferrari? It’s third on the all-time list, with nine wins, but the last time it won its first flag was in 1965. So why is the Italian brand making a comeback?

“This project for us is one of the most important in Ferrari motorsport, after Formula 1,” said Antonello Coletta, Ferrari’s global head of endurance racing, said ahead of the race taking place this weekend.

“I don’t know if we have a chance to beat Toyota. I believe it will not be easy. But, in any case, we are doing our best.”

Result 24 Heures du Mans Hyperpole 2023

1. #50 Ferrari AF Corse, Antonio Fuoco: 3:22,982
2. #51 Ferrari AF Corse, Alessandro Pier Guidi: +0.773
3. #7 Racing Toyota Gazoo, Kamui Kobayashi: +1,285
4. #8 Team Toyota Gazoo, Brendon Hartley: +1,469
5. #75 Porsche Penske Motorsport, Felipe Nasr: +1,549
6. #2 Cadillac Race, Count of Bamber: +2,188
7. #5 Porsche Penske, Frederic Makowiecki sports car racing: +2.194
8. #3 Cadillac Race, Sebastian Bourdais: +2,539