Unbelievable Victory: How Ferrari’s 499P Dominated Le Mans 2025 and Changed Endurance Racing Forever
The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans will go down as a watershed moment in motorsport history. Ferrari’s 499P, fielded by the privateer AF Corse squad, not only clinched a third consecutive victory but did so in a fashion that rewrites the script for endurance racing greatness. Here’s how this iconic win unfolded, why it matters, and what it means for the future of the sport.
The #83 Ferrari 499P’s triumph was built on a foundation of speed, resilience, and near-flawless execution. After starting mid-pack, the AF Corse-run yellow-liveried car—driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson—quickly surged to the front. Kubica’s performance was the stuff of legend: he completed 43% of the race, including five consecutive stints at the end, much of it without a functioning drinks bottle, managing tire wear and pace with astonishing composure13. The 499P led 277 of the 387 laps, and its outright speed around the 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe was unmatched3.
Despite a close challenge from Porsche, which finished just 14 seconds behind, Ferrari’s victory never truly looked in doubt after the opening hours. The team’s pit work, tire management, and ability to respond to every threat set a new standard for endurance racing dominance31.
The Circuit de la Sarthe remains the world’s most demanding endurance venue. Its 13.6 km layout blends permanent track with public roads, featuring legendary sections like the Mulsanne Straight. In 2025, perfect weather and a record crowd of 332,000 added to the spectacle6. The circuit’s unique demands—high speeds, technical corners, and relentless traffic—make it the ultimate test of driver skill, engineering, and strategy32.
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: This is Ferrari’s third straight Le Mans win since its Hypercar return, a feat last achieved by the marque in the 1960s. The victory grants Ferrari the rare right to keep the winners’ trophy forever, an honor reserved for three-peat champions267.
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: The AF Corse entry is the first outright privateer winner at Le Mans in two decades, breaking the factory team monopoly and proving the depth of Ferrari’s 499P program57.
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: Robert Kubica became the first Polish winner, Yifei Ye the first Chinese winner, and Phil Hanson joined an elite club of British victors for Ferrari57.
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: This marks Ferrari’s 12th overall Le Mans victory, further cementing its place among endurance racing’s elite27.
While Le Mans is renowned more for its prestige than its purse, the 2025 winners received a significant share of a prize pool exceeding €1 million. The victory brings not just financial reward but also global recognition, lucrative sponsorships, and a permanent place in motorsport history7.
Le Mans isn’t just another 24-hour race—it’s a strategic marathon:
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: The long lap and high-speed straights require teams to balance top speed, tire longevity, and fuel efficiency3.
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: Nearly half the race is run in darkness, demanding extraordinary focus and adaptability.
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: With multiple classes on track, overtaking and managing slower cars is a constant challenge.
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: One mistake—on track or in the pits—can end a team’s hopes instantly.
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: While 2025 was dry, the circuit is infamous for sudden weather shifts, making adaptability crucial.
Ferrari’s 499P didn’t just win; it dominated, inspired, and changed the narrative of what’s possible at Le Mans. With a privateer team, a diverse driver lineup, and a flawless race, Ferrari’s 2025 triumph is a blueprint for future greatness—a moment that will be talked about for generations.
“Kubica’s heroics sit on a pedestal all of their own… his performance crossed the border from professional to legendary.”1
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