The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race like no other — perhaps the most iconic, legendary, and prestigious event in all of motorsport. It’s an extreme test not only for the cars, which must perform flawlessly for an entire day and night, but also for the drivers and team members, who endure relentless physical and mental pressure from start to finish. The story of this endurance classic began in 1923, when just over 30 cars took on a brutal challenge on an unpaved circuit, competing day and night through every possible weather condition. It was a heroic test of man and machine — one that later inspired countless films celebrating the drama and passion of the world’s most demanding race, where Italy has often taken center stage with its iconic marques and legendary drivers.
A race steeped in history
In the 1930s, Alfa Romeo dominated at Le Mans, winning four consecutive times. But it was Ferrari that went on to define much of the event’s history. To this day, the Maranello marque holds the record for the most victories in the Sarthe region, with an incredible 12 triumphs — including those achieved by the factory team in 2023 and 2024, and the most recent victory by AF Corse in June 2025, when the famous red car crossed the finish line in an unexpected yellow livery. For the third year in a row, Ferrari conquered Le Mans, writing another unforgettable chapter in both its own history and that of motorsport as a whole.
This particular win carried even greater significance. Not only was it earned by Amato Ferrari’s private AF Corse team, but the driver lineup also achieved a remarkable milestone: each member of the crew became the first from their respective countries to win the legendary French endurance race. Behind the wheel of the No. 83 Ferrari 499P were Britain’s Phil Hanson, Poland’s Robert Kubica, and China’s Yifei Ye.
China makes history
For China — which, like Poland, had never seen one of its drivers atop the Le Mans podium — the victory was a moment of immense pride. The spotlight shone brightly on Yifei Ye, born in 2000, who became an official Ferrari driver in 2024. In an exclusive conversation with Formula1.it during the Ferrari World Finals, Ye revealed the key elements behind this historic success, reflecting on the performance of both the car and the team.
“First of all, I have to say that the car — the Ferrari 499P — was incredibly fast,” said Yifei Ye. “Having a competitive car is one of the main ingredients to win any race, not just Le Mans. Last year, we were also very strong there, especially in the first part of the race, but some technical problems prevented us from getting the result we deserved. So this year, we knew that if we managed to put everything together and avoid any issues, we would have a real chance to fight for victory. In the end, that’s exactly what happened. We made no mistakes — not as drivers, nor as a team — and we avoided any unnecessary risks. Of course, a little bit of luck always helps too.”
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