The La Sarthe circuit hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most eagerly anticipated 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship round. Two Ferrari 499Ps will compete in the top class of the world’s most prestigious endurance event half a century after the Prancing Horse’s last official appearance. Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen start in the number 50 Hypercar.
Ferrari is second in the Manufacturers’ standings after the first three rounds, 33 points behind Toyota. In the Drivers’ standings, Fuoco-Molina-Nielsen are third on 42 points after the Sebring, Portimão and Spa-Francorchamps rounds. The race will kick off on Saturday, 10 June at 4 p.m.
Antonio Fuoco: “Expectations for the 24 Hours are very high, with Ferrari returning to the top class of the world’s most famous endurance race after half a century. This is undoubtedly a unique race in which you feel a lot of excitement. I remember the 2022 race with the 488 GTE in the LMGTE Pro class when we finished in second place. It was special and adrenaline-packed. We drivers will do everything to achieve the best possible result with the Hypercar”.
Miguel Molina: “When you drive for Ferrari, the end goal is always to win. We have high expectations, but we know the 24 Hours will be a tough race. They built the car with Le Mans in mind; we know it has great potential. We aim to finish on the podium. I remember in 2022 when we achieved this feat with the 488 GTE. Seeing so many people around the podium at the end of the race was a fantastic feeling. What does Le Mans mean to me? The loveliest race not only in the FIA WEC calendar but one of the most beautiful races anywhere. A very tough race, especially at night, when you drive in the dark, alone with your car, and need to be very aware of the traffic. This year, racing in the top class for the overall victory is the high point of my career”.
Nicklas Nielsen: “As a team, we did a fantastic job preparing for the race. The car is very reliable, which is extremely important, especially in a 24-hour race. We all look forward to seeing the 499P take to the track on this fantastic circuit for the first time. Speaking of goals, as a driver, you always hope to be in the fight for victory, but we know it will be really tough because there are so many variables. When I think of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first things that come to mind are its characteristic excitement and speed. The night? Driving to the limit is very special. It is difficult to explain, but what you feel at that stage of the race is strange and unique. My fondest Le Mans memory is the 2021 victory with the 488 GTE, alongside Alessio Rovera and François Perrodo in the LMGTE Am”.