2023 24 Hours of Le Mans Sees Ferrari Triumph and Impressive NASCAR

In a historic moment at the centenary running of the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari emerged victorious, toppling the mighty Toyota and ending a 50-year absence from the race’s top-class competition. Last seen on the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe in 1973, Ferrari returned this year in the hyperclass category, showcasing their cutting-edge hybrid technology.

The hyperclass category was born out of a rules convergence that allowed competitors from the United States’ premier sports car series, IMSA, to participate in Le Mans. This convergence not only invited American teams but also presented an enticing opportunity for automakers to showcase their street car technology on a global stage.

Ferrari meticulously developed their program over several years, employing a strategy reminiscent of the one depicted in the acclaimed film “Ford v Ferrari,” which chronicled Ford’s successful effort to dethrone Ferrari at Le Mans in 1963. However, this time, the tables were turned, and Ferrari aimed to take down the giant – Toyota Gazoo Racing – which had enjoyed a five-year winning streak at Le Mans.

Toyota faced a setback even before the race began when additional weight was added to their dominant GR010s as part of a controversial “balance of performance” adjustment to level the playing field. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Ferrari’s two 499Ps swiftly dominated the qualifying sessions, securing the front row. Throughout the race, Ferrari’s team skillfully navigated every challenge thrown their way by Toyota.

Fate further favored Ferrari when Kamui Kobayashi was involved in a race-ending accident, reducing Toyota’s chances to a mere one car against Ferrari’s two. The trio of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, with Ferrari Formula One driver Charles Leclerc supporting from the garage, emerged as the undisputed victors. Even before defending champion Ryō Hirakawa’s incident with the wall, Ferrari held a solid lead, leaving little room for their rivals to catch up.

Repairing Hirakawa’s Toyota took approximately three minutes, which proved insufficient to benefit Chip Ganassi Racing, the American representative from IMSA. The 2023 edition marked the first year that IMSA’s top class was granted participation at Le Mans, and the introduction of the hyperclass also saw the return of Cadillac and Porsche with Ganassi and Roger Penske, respectively, eager to conquer one of the few races missing from their illustrious histories.

The hyperclass garnered tremendous interest from manufacturers, which contributed to a sold-out crowd of over 300,000 spectators flocking to witness the race on the sprawling 8.467-mile Circuit de la Sarthe. Although the Ganassi Cadillacs held strong in third and fourth positions before Hirakawa’s mishap, Toyota executed flawless pit stops, leaving no opportunity for the Cadillacs to make significant gains. The final podium spot went to the WEC team of Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, and Richard Westbrook, with the IMSA team of Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, and Scott Dixon finishing closely behind in fourth.

Ferrari’s second car concluded the race in fifth place, just ahead of Team Penske’s top-finishing Porsche. Unfortunately, Team Penske experienced early retirements for their other two entries, dampening their overall performance.

While Ferrari’s triumph was undoubtedly the highlight of the race, another noteworthy entry caught the attention of motorsports enthusiasts. In a significant return to Le Mans after a 47-year hiatus, NASCAR made its presence felt with a “Garage 56” Camaro, fielded by Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, and Goodyear. NASCAR’s participation aimed to showcase the Next Gen car and celebrate NASCAR’s 75th anniversary.

The No. 24 Camaro faced a unique challenge, racing in a class of its own against no other cars. The initial goal was simply to finish the race and promote NASCAR’s presence. Led by renowned crew chief Chad Knaus, the project exceeded expectations, with the lineup of Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, and Mike Rockenfeller demonstrating remarkable performance throughout the race. Until a brake issue arose with approximately five hours remaining, it seemed possible that the NASCAR entry could surpass the entire 21-car GTE AM field.

Although the brake issue prevented the Camaro from achieving its full potential, the car persevered, highlighting NASCAR’s resilience and endurance. The team managed to rectify the issue and complete the race, securing a respectable 39th position overall and a commendable 10th place among the GTE cars.

As the checkered flag waved, the NASCAR effort celebrated a triumphant accomplishment. The return of NASCAR to Le Mans after almost five decades showcased the sport’s ability to compete on the global stage and further solidified the reputation of Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, and Goodyear as highly successful and respected entities in motorsports.

The 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans will be remembered as the year Ferrari broke the 50-year absence barrier and conquered their rivals, Toyota, in a thrilling battle. It will also be etched in history as the year NASCAR returned with the “Garage 56” Camaro, proving their mettle and leaving an indelible mark on the prestigious endurance race. With such remarkable accomplishments, the 2023 edition has undoubtedly cemented its place among the most memorable chapters of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.