In a dramatic turn at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari faced disqualification for a technical breach.
- Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen’s Ferrari was ruled out post-race, shaking up the event’s outcome.
- Robert Kubica seized victory with Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye in a privately entered Ferrari, marking a comeback.
- The disqualification was due to missing bolts causing excessive wing deflection, failing technical regulations.
- Ferrari’s claim of no performance gain didn’t prevent the disqualification due to safety concerns.
Ferrari’s renowned presence at Le Mans hit a snag with the disqualification of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen’s car. Originally finishing fourth, they were later disqualified due to a technical issue involving their car’s flexi-wing. The breach entailed four missing bolts in the rear wing support, leading to a deflection that exceeded regulated limits.
In an unexpected turn, Robert Kubica achieved victory with teammates Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye by piloting a Ferrari 499P hypercar. Their triumph came fourteen years after Kubica’s previous severe injuries in a rally crash, symbolizing a remarkable personal comeback. This win was also notable as it extended Ferrari’s streak at Le Mans, marking the third consecutive victory since their return in 2023.
During the race, the scrutineers identified the flexi-wing issue in Ferrari’s car, which affected its compliance with the sporting regulations. The rear wing showed a deflection of 52 millimeters under stress, overshadowing the maximum permissible 15 millimeters, due to the missing bolts.
Ferrari’s team manager acknowledged the technical infraction, agreeing with the scrutineers’ findings and not disputing the measurements. Despite suggestions that there was no performance benefit, the stewards emphasized the potential safety risk of such structural deficiencies, leading to the disqualification.
This setback at Le Mans adds to Ferrari’s recent challenges, following their multiple exclusions in Formula 1 races earlier this year. Despite Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc securing strong finishes at the Chinese Grand Prix, both were disqualified for separate technical violations, underscoring a tough season for the Scuderia.
Ferrari’s disqualification at Le Mans underscores the stringent regulation enforcement in motorsport, highlighting the importance of compliance.
