Le Mans, France – While Ferrari may be enduring a challenging season in Formula One, the legendary Italian marque heads into this weekend’s 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the firm favourite, aiming for a third consecutive victory in motorsport’s most prestigious endurance race.
Tennis legend Roger Federer will have the honour of acting as the celebrity starter, waving the French tricolour at 16:00 CEST on Saturday, 14 June, to send the grid roaring into action. Over the following 24 hours, the world’s top endurance racers will contest more than 300 laps (over 4,000km) of the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe, through dusk, darkness, and dawn, cheered on by a sell-out crowd of 320,000 passionate fans fuelled by coffee, adrenaline—and a fair share of beer.
History and risk
The 2025 race also marks the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Le Mans disaster, the darkest day in motorsport history, when a crash involving Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes caused debris to fly into the crowd, killing 81 spectators. The exact death toll remains uncertain, but the tragedy reshaped the future of racing safety.
Over the weekend186 drivers will take to the legendary circuit, which includes the Mulsanne Straight, where speeds can exceed 400 km/h – a reminder of both the glory and peril of Le Mans.
Fortunately, weather conditions are expected to be favourable this year, with Metéo France forecasting dry and mild conditions throughout the weekend. The action kicks off with qualifying for pole position on Thursday night.
Ferrari and Toyota
Ferrari's return to Le Mans in 2023, after a 50-year absence, was nothing short of triumphant. That year, they won the centenary edition of the race, before repeating the feat in 2024—ending Toyota's five-year dominance (2018–2022). Now, in 2025, Ferrari are determined to make it three in a row.
Their campaign has started strongly, with wins in the opening rounds of the World Endurance Championship in Qatar, Imola, and Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The Ferrari #50 Hypercar, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, remains a top contender.
Yet, despite recent successes, Fuoco is cautious. “Compared to last year, the field is much closer. It’s going to be a tough battle,” said the 29-year-old Italian. Team manager Batti Pregliasco also highlighted the ever-present threat from Toyota. “The idea of winning a third Le Mans in a row would be magnificent,” he said. “But the Toyotas are very strong here – they have the experience, the ability, and the means to win.”
Renewed rivalries
The 2023 regulation overhaul has reinvigorated the top-tier Hypercar class, attracting manufacturers old and new. This year’s 21-car Hypercar entry includes Ferrari, Toyota, Porsche, Peugeot, Alpine, BMW, Aston Martin, and Cadillac—a true golden era of factory-backed competition.
Among the Toyota ranks is Nyck de Vries, the 30-year-old Dutch driver who was part of the second-place team in 2024, and is back again this year in the Toyota #7 alongside Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi.
“Finishing second was a great result,” he said. “But after such a long race, it felt bitter-sweet. We want to put that right this year.”
De Vries is one of several former Formula One drivers embracing Le Mans, including Jenson Button (driving for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA #38), Robert Kubica (Ferrari #83), Mick Schumacher (Alpine #36), and Stoffel Vandoorne (Peugeot #94). They all hope to emulate Fernando Alonso’s back-to-back Le Mans wins with Toyota in 2018 and 2019. The Spanish F1 great followed in the footsteps of legends such as Graham Hill, Phil Hill, and Jochen Rindt.
Beyond hypercars
In addition to the 21 Hypercar entries, this year’s grid features 17 LMP2 cars and 24 in the LMGT3 class. Among them is the inspiring Iron Dames team – an all-female crew composed of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, and Célia Martin – competing in the LMGT3 category.
As the world watches the lights go out in Le Mans this weekend, the stage is set for a thrilling battle of speed, endurance, and history. Will Ferrari claim a historic hat-trick—or will a new name rise to the top of the endurance racing pantheon?
