In a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours, Ferrari’s celebrated endurance racing dreams hit the skids. Their factory car, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen, was disqualified for breaching technical regulations. The news came shortly after Robert Kubica’s emotional win, marking a stark contrast in fortunes.
Ferrari’s factory car, which had previously claimed victory in 2024, found itself in hot water at the 2025 Le Mans. Despite finishing fourth on track, the scrutineers found fault in its rear wing configuration during post-race checks. A flexi-wing breach resulted in disqualification—a hard pill to swallow for the Italian team.
The violation centered around a missing four bolts from the rear wing support, causing the wing to deflect excessively under load. The permissible deflection according to Article 3.8.7 of the LMH Technical Regulations is 15mm, yet Ferrari’s No. 50 car recorded an alarming 52mm. The team manager readily admitted the oversight, noting that it was detected by a mechanic during a pit stop but not corrected.
During the hearing, Ferrari asserted that this gaffe didn’t provide any performance advantage, emphasizing that the telemetry displayed no speed alterations throughout the race. They further argued that the highest speed was logged on lap 380, just seven laps from the finish, underscoring their point.
However, the stewards were unconvinced by these explanations. Motorsport regulations are unforgiving about technical non-compliance, often leading to disqualification unless exceptional circumstances are proven. Here, Ferrari wasn’t able to present such circumstances. The stewards also raised safety concerns, highlighting the structural risks posed by the incomplete wing assembly under racing conditions.
This disqualification isn’t an isolated incident for Ferrari. Earlier this year at the Chinese Grand Prix, both Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars faced exclusion due to technical discrepancies. Charles Leclerc’s underweight car and Lewis Hamilton’s excessive skid block wear led to their respective disqualifications, prompting a layer of scrutiny upon Ferrari’s technical operations.
These back-to-back setbacks highlight the rigorous scrutiny within motorsport and the critical nature of adhering to technical regulations. It also brings safety concerns to the forefront, with regulatory bodies like the FIA ensuring cars not only perform well but also operate safely under the pressures of competitive racing.
Ferrari’s recent disqualification at Le Mans stands as a stark reminder of the stringent regulations governing motorsport. While the racing world sympathizes with the team’s frustration, the incident underscores the crucial balance between performance and compliance. In a sport where fractions of a second matter, technical precision is non-negotiable.
