Le Mans, June 15, 2025: As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe at 4:24 AM UTC (9:54 AM IST), the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025 entered its 14th hour with Ferrari firmly in control. With 10 hours remaining in this gruelling endurance race, the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, driven by Yifei Ye, held the overall lead, showcasing the Prancing Horse’s dominance in the Hypercar class. The race intensified as teams switched to medium Michelin tyres to adapt to warming track conditions, setting the stage for a thrilling battle. Here’s a recap of the action-packed 14th hour and what lies ahead.
Ferrari’s Grip on the Hypercar Class
Ferrari’s Hypercar entries continued their stellar run, with the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P leading the pack, followed closely by the factory No. 51 Ferrari driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi. The No. 50 Ferrari, piloted by Miguel Molina, secured a strong fifth place, ensuring all three Ferraris featured in the top five.
The No. 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 Hybrid, driven by Ryo Hirakawa, briefly challenged for the lead earlier in the hour but settled into second after Ye’s bold overtake at the second Mulsanne chicane. The No. 15 BMW M Team WRT M Hybrid V8, with Raffaele Marciello at the wheel, held fourth, while the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 slipped to sixth after a pit stop, with Matt Campbell taking over from Laurens Vanthoor.
Ferrari’s pace was remarkable, though their 12-lap stints compared to rivals’ 13-lap runs could pose a strategic challenge as the race progresses. Despite a minor brake issue and a five-second penalty for cutting the Mulsanne chicane earlier, the No. 83 Ferrari maintained its edge, thrilling fans who celebrated on X with posts like, “Ferrari in first for now in #24HoursofLemans!”
LMGT3: Ferrari Takes Charge
In the LMGT3 class, Alessio Rovera made a decisive move in the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296, snatching the lead from Tom Van Rampuy’s No. 81 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R. This marked a significant moment as the Corvette had briefly led in the previous hour, a historic first for the brand in Le Mans’ GT3 era. Richard Lietz in the No. 92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3R pushed hard for second, keeping the pressure on Van Rampuy.
The Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F duo, with Arnold Robin in the No. 78 and Clemens Schmid in the No. 87, continued their impressive top-five run, showcasing consistency in the tightly contested GT3 field. Posts on X highlighted Ferrari’s LMGT3 progress, with one user noting the No. 54 Ferrari 296 GT3’s live onboard action, reflecting the excitement among fans.
Drama and Challenges
The 14th hour wasn’t without its setbacks. The No. 18 IDEC Sport ORECA in LMP2 faced a major scare when its right rear wheel detached on the Mulsanne Straight during Andre Lotterer’s out lap, leaving the car stranded and hopes of a strong finish in jeopardy.
In Hypercar, BMW’s No. 15, now driven by Kevin Magnussen, showed promise but remained realistic about challenging Ferrari. Raffaele Marciello earlier remarked, “The Ferraris are out there, so if we cannot beat them, we’ll try to be the best of the rest,” reflecting BMW’s improved performance compared to 2024 but acknowledging Ferrari’s superiority.
The race’s earlier safety car period in Hour 12, triggered by Cem Bolukbasi’s crash in the No. 24 Nielsen Racing ORECA, allowed teams like Ferrari to make strategic repairs, such as a new nose for the No. 83. Despite these challenges, 56 cars remained in contention at the halfway mark, with all Hypercars except the WTR Cadillac still running.
Strategic Shifts as Dawn Breaks
As dawn broke, teams transitioned from soft to medium Michelin tyres to suit the warmer track, intensifying the strategic battle. Ferrari’s lead was bolstered by their flawless execution, with X users praising their “head of steam” and speeds hitting 310 kmph (193 mph) on the No. 51. However, Toyota, Porsche, and Cadillac lurked closely, with five manufacturers filling the top six spots, promising a fierce fight as the race neared its two-thirds mark.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), is renowned for its demanding 13.626 km Circuit de la Sarthe, where strategy, reliability, and driver skill are tested over 24 hours. Ferrari’s strong showing, as noted on ferrari.com, underscores their legacy at this blue-riband event, which replaced the hazardous Le Mans start with a rolling start in 1971.
How to Follow Le Mans 2025 in India
Indian motorsport fans can catch the action live on Eurosport India or stream it via the FIA WEC app and DAZN, with updates starting at 3:00 PM IST on June 14. For real-time insights, follow @FerrariHypercar or @FIAWEC on X, where fans are buzzing with excitement, one posting, “4:51 AM local time at Le Mans and Ferrari retakes overall leadership!”
What’s Next?
As the race enters its 15th hour, the battle is set to heat up with Ferrari defending their lead against Toyota’s No. 8 and Porsche’s No. 6. In LMGT3, Ferrari’s No. 21 will face pressure from Corvette and Porsche, while LMP2 teams recover from recent drama. With 10 hours left, strategy and reliability will decide who claims victory at 3:00 PM IST on June 15.
Ferrari’s dawn dominance at Le Mans 2025 is a sight to behold, but the race is far from over. Stay tuned for more heart-pounding action from the world’s greatest endurance race!
Disclaimer: This article is based on reliable sources, including race reports and official updates. For live timings and streaming, visit wec-magazin.com or racer.com.
Chintan Patel is an experienced blogger with over 4 years of expertise in the field. He writes in-depth and insightful articles on technology, automobiles, and cryptocurrency, aiming to deliver valuable content that keeps readers informed and up to date. With a passion for digital trends and innovation, Chintan ensures each piece is well-researched and easy to understand.