Elkann: Le Mans Win Produces “Unforgettable Day” for Ferrari

Ferrari executive chairman John Elkann said the AF Corse factory team’s historic 24 Hours of Le Mans win produced an “unforgettable day” for the Italian manufacturer.

Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi staved off a challenge from the No. 8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid of Sebastien Buemi, Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley to snap the Japanese marque’s five-year winning streak.

It marked the first outright Le Mans victory for Ferrari since 1965 and came half a century after its last factory program in the top category.

“This has been an unforgettable day that I’d like to dedicate to everyone at Ferrari,” said Elkann, who attended the race.

“After 50 years we have returned to compete in the highest category of endurance racing that has a place at the very heart of our story and that of all motorsport.

“We’re proud indeed to have taken Italy once again to the top step of the podium at Le Mans, celebrating in the best possible style the centenary of the most important race of its kind in the world.”

The Ferrari 499P, which underwent its first shakedown 11 months ago, took its first win on only its fourth FIA World Endurance Championship appearance, improving on podium results at Sebring, Portimao and Spa-Francorchamps.

“This victory that Antonello Coletta, Amato Ferrari and the entire team, from our mechanics to our drivers, have achieved today in such challenging conditions – because of the 24-hour duration, the unpredictable weather and the impressive strength of our competitors – serves as an example for us all,” Elkann said.

“The emotions they have given to our Tifosi on a great day that brings together past, present and future, is also a reminder of the importance of finding the courage and the humility to always improve.

“Full of enthusiasm and joy, I’d like to thank all our colleagues who have given us this extraordinary victory: a success that we celebrate with all of our Tifosi and with our country.”

Ferrari’s head of global endurance racing Coletta described the result as “one of the most important” wins for Ferrari in its motorsport history.

“For us, it’s an unbelievable satisfaction,” he said. “I would like to remember that one year ago, the car didn’t exist. We had just a white paper. Now we are here to celebrate the victory.

“We are very, very proud about it. We are very proud of our team, our drivers and our technicians.”

No. 51 Crew “Stayed Calm” at Final Pit Stop Delay

An accident for Hirakawa gave the No. 51 Ferrari a lead of almost three and a half minutes heading into the final hour, but a delay at Pier Guidi’s final pit stop superficially cast doubt over which car would prevail.

Ferrari’s head of endurance race cars Ferdinando Cannizzo explained that a “loss of communication between the systems in the car” prompted an overall vehicle reset.

“We were forced to make a power cycle: switch off and switch on,” he said.

“We were first surprised about what happened, so we lost a bit more time. But then we understood. We prepared a procedure and stayed calm to manage the situation. I think you saw that no one was really worried.

“We knew that we were losing some time but we prepared. We were lucky to have a bit of margin to the second car.”

Cannizzo also commended the recovery effort of the No. 50 Ferrari crew of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen who finished fifth afteer losing six laps around the 10-hour mark.

A stone caused a rupture in a radiator that formed part of the energy recovery system’s cooling arrangement, causing fluid to leak out.

“I do believe that the two cars had the same race pace, the same potential,” said Cannizzo.

“The drivers and cars were on the same race pace. We were somehow unlucky that car No. 50 had a stone hitting the netting and then hitting the radiator.

“It has never happened to us, but in testing you don’t race with other cars. Probably we will reinforce the netting in front of the radiator for the next races.

“I am sorry for the car No. 50 drivers because they did an amazing job. I’m sad for them, but on the other side it’s a brilliant result for Ferrari.”