Ferrari’s stressful final hour at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Ferrari suffered a door problem on its 499P #50, and could have lost a lot. The Scuderia was also running out of fuel. For the last few minutes, everyone's attention was focused on the Transalpine Hypercar's fuel gauge.
The same reaction. In everyone. Similar to that of a teenager scrutinizing the percentage of his phone battery, even though he doesn’t have his charger. But this time, the stakes were much higher. A prestigious victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans awaited Ferrari. The remaining fuel and energy percentage in the winning car stressed out a large number of observers.
And the least you can say is that the Scuderia and its fans must have had their hearts pounding at 200. Towards the end of the race, the Italian team was not spared. In a fight with Toyota #7, success was far from guaranteed. At the wheel, Sebastien Buemi in the #8 was driving at a crazy pace. Nicklas Nielsen couldn’t manage the final two hours of the race as he pleased.
But the #51 made its move. While attempting to overtake at Mulsanne, it sent the Japanese car into a spin. The Dane could finally breathe a bit. However, not for long. The door of his 499P added more stress and suspense. In the corners, it would open. This forced the driver to return to the pits to address the issue. The mechanics took the opportunity to refuel the Hypercar.
A full tank, twelve laps.
In the maneuver, the #50 car lost the lead of the race. At least, temporarily. Because Toyota – with car #7 now in second place – also had to refuel a few laps later. The remote battle was thrilling. Around thirty seconds separated the two cars. Especially since the Ferrari was under investigation for a dangerous return to the fast lane of the pits. A penalty could have jeopardized everything. The Italians finally came out unscathed. The Scuderia was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
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However, everything was not said and done. At 3:10 pm, the car of the trio Nielsen – Fuoco – Molina had to go back to the pits. They needed fuel to finish the race. A full tank can only last for twelve laps. With four minutes per lap, the initial calculations didn’t seem right. The Ferrari was not going to have enough fuel to reach the finish line. Unless they readjust the level a bit later, risking the Toyota to overtake them again.
Nicklas Nielsen is back on the attack, at a pace less intense than in the last few hours. The Dane was saving fuel. Would he be able to complete a thirteenth lap without any issues? Some journalists had taken out their notepads and pens. And were calculating. « He stopped at the 298th lap, it will only hold until the 310th »,” estimated a Belgian colleague. His colleague interrupts him. « In the rain and with lift and coast, fuel consumption is lower ».” So was the feat achievable?
And the victory lap?
On screen, the fuel gauge of the #50 was dropping rapidly. 21, 20, 19… Two laps before the end, the tank only contained 18% of fuel. With about 8% per lap, Ferrari could theoretically retain its crown. In the press room, some journalists started writing their article on the success of the #50. Until the famous question. « And for the victory lap, will it be enough? » Doubts resurfaced.
Fortunately for him, Nicklas Nielsen was able to rely on his batteries to reach the finish line and meet up with his teammates. Before celebrating. At that moment, the fuel gauge showed only 2%.
For its eleventh victory in the Sarthe – the second in a row – Ferrari was in control of the race and knew how to tame the conditions. And manage the competition. Even if the helping hand of the #51 by sending the Toyota N°8 into a spin helped the #50 to win. Nicklas Nielsen’s door problem also was a stroke of fate. Indirectly, it allowed Ferrari to establish a bold strategy. Which turned out to be successful.
