Ferrari 499P
Achieving an astounding six consecutive victories in the 1960s
In the 1960s, Ferrari achieved six consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Pictured here is the 250 Testarossa that took the overall victory in 1961.
Ferrari has played a leading role in many dramatic events in the more than 100-year history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Including last year’s victory with the 499P, Ferrari has won the overall championship 11 times and its class 29 times. Since its debut win in 1949, it can be said that Ferrari and the Circuit de la Sarthe have been linked by a red thread. This time, we look back on those many victories.
In 1949, Lorenzo Chinetti and Lord Selsdon took the overall victory in a Ferrari 166MM Barchetta Touring, with Chinetti at the wheel for over 23 hours. In 1954, José Froilan González and Maurice Trintignant completed 302 laps and won the Ferrari 375 Plus with a Pininfarina bodywork. Powered by a 5.0-liter V12 engine, it had a top speed of 280 km/h.
In 1958, the Ferrari 250 Testarossa, a car that would go on to win many races in its history, achieved its first victory with Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien at the wheel. Designed by Scaglietti, the car weighed just 800 kg and was equipped with a 3.0-liter V12 engine producing 300 PS.
In 1960, the race was held later than usual, from June 25th to 26th. Olivier Gendebien and Paul Frère won the race, completing 314 laps in a Ferrari 250TR 59/60. The following year, in 1961, Gendebien and Phil Hill took home the victory in a Ferrari 250 TRI/61. In 1962, Gendebien won Le Mans for the fourth time, making him the only driver to win four times at Le Mans while driving a Ferrari.
Ferrari makes a comeback after 60 years
In the 2023 season, Ferrari returned to the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the 499P, which was developed under hypercar regulations. In 2023, it achieved its first victory since its return.
In 1963, the team used Italian drivers for the first time to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Lorenzo Bandini and Ludovico Scarfiotti taking the checkered flag in a Ferrari 250P equipped with a 3.0-liter V12 engine.
In 1964, Jean Guichet and Nino Vaccarella took their eighth overall victory in a Ferrari 275P. The 275P was equipped with a 3285.73cc V12 engine that produced a maximum output of 320 PS, and recorded an astonishing average speed of 195.63 km/h. That year, they dominated the podium, along with two Ferrari 330Ps.
In 1965, the Ferrari 250LM achieved its sixth consecutive victory, boasting a top speed of 287 km/h. Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory completed 348 laps to win the race. This was the last year that Ferrari had won at Le Mans.
In 2023, 50 years after its last race, Ferrari returned to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Pierre Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi brought Ferrari its first victory in 58 years in the Ferrari 499P, a car developed under hypercar regulations.
In 2024, the second season of the revival, Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Niklas Nielsen drove the Ferrari 499P No. 50, replacing the previous year’s No. 51 car, and won the race. The No. 51 car also came in third, completing a 1-3 finish.
In 2025, Ferrari will aim for a third consecutive victory at Le Mans with three 499P cars: the Ferrari AF Corse No. 50 and No. 51 cars, both of which have won the race, and the AF Corse No. 83 car, which will compete in a bright yellow livery.
