The Italian team Ferrari won the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday for its return to the premier class after 50 years of absence, ending the hegemony of Toyota, ultra-dominant on the Bugatti Circuit for the past five years.
The Ferrari N.51 of the Italians Alessandro Pier Guidi and Antonio Giovinazzi and the Briton James Calado won after a thrilling race on the legendary car endurance event ahead of the Toyota N.8, victorious the year last.
The fatal turn for Toyota
Less than two hours from the finish, the two prototypes were less than 30 seconds apart when the driver of the N.8, Ryo Hirakawa, then second, missed his braking before hitting a barrier in the bend of Arnage.
If the Toyota GR010-Hybrid was able to start again, the Japanese driver had to return to the pits to change the bonnet, leaving the field open to the Scuderia to come and sign its first victory at Le Mans since 1965. The Cadillac N.2 finished at a very nice third place ahead of its sister car, the N.3, fourth.
This year, the Italian team but also Porsche, Cadillac and Peugeot made their return to the premier class at Le Mans, offering a thrilling race, with many changes of leaders at the pace of pit stops, reckless overtaking and damage during the race.