Ferrari claimed a remarkable win at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving a third consecutive overall victory and making history with a privateer car. The #83 Ferrari 499P, run by AF Corse, delivered the brand’s first privateer win since 2005, adding another chapter to its growing dominance in the Hypercar era.
The victory followed previous wins by the factory #51 car in 2023 and the #50 in 2024. This year, it was the privateer team’s turn, with a fresh driver lineup completing the legacy. Robert Kubica became the first Polish driver to win Le Mans, while teammate Yifei Ye made history as the first Chinese winner. For Phil Hanson, this marked his second Le Mans triumph, joining a short list of British drivers to win for Ferrari.
Kubica’s win was particularly emotional. Once signed to race for Ferrari in Formula 1, a 2011 rally crash ended those hopes. In 2021, he and Ye lost an LMP2 victory on the final lap. This year’s redemption was hard-earned and deeply personal.
Despite early hopes of a close fight, Ferrari’s performance was dominant. Though Porsche and Cadillac initially led the field, the Ferraris surged forward after early penalties and setbacks. By the five-hour mark, they were controlling the top spots. The #83 car took the lead overnight and never looked back.
The #6 Porsche, starting from the back of the Hypercar grid after a qualifying disqualification, mounted a heroic comeback. Driven by Kevin Estre, it moved up to second and applied pressure late in the race. But Kubica’s flawless three-and-a-half-hour closing stint, despite a faulty cooling system, held firm.
Drama unfolded when Alessandro Pier Guidi spun the leading #51 Ferrari, dropping to third. This allowed Ye in the #83 to take over and set up Kubica’s final run to the flag. The factory Ferraris could not recover enough to reclaim the lead, while Porsche’s pace fell short of catching the #83.
This win marks Ferrari’s 12th overall Le Mans victory. With three different cars and driver lineups winning in three years, the Prancing Horse’s dominance is unmatched. As other manufacturers struggle to break through, Ferrari’s Le Mans legacy continues to grow stronger with each passing season.
