The 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans ended on Sunday at 4 pm with the 111th class win for a Porsche racing car. Works driver Richard Lietz, Morris Schuring and Yasser Shahin took the flag first in the new LMGT3 category in Manthey EMA’s Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Manthey EMA’s Porsche 911 GT3 R 4th podium in a row

After a long safety car period, further showers with about two hours left on the clock during which Richard Lietz showed strong driving performances, the Austrian driver crossed the finish line first in the LMGT3 class with #91 Manthey EMA’s Porsche 911 GT3 R he shared with Morris Schuring and Yasser Shahin. Thanks to a perfect strategy and talented drivers, the 911 GT3 R from Manthey EMA held a one-lap lead over its hottest pursuers.

“To be the first manufacturer to win at Le Mans with a GT3 race car is a unique story that nobody can take away from us,” says a delighted Sebastian Golz, Project Manager Porsche 911 GT3 R. “That’s a chapter that we wrote in collaboration with all of our colleagues in Weissach. It was a new challenge for us. Congratulations to the Manthey EMA team, as well, the teamwork ran brilliantly. Things are also looking very good for us in the world championship standings, we managed to secure a lot of points. It’s a shame the number 92 911 GT3 R had technical problems. Of course, we’ll do a deep dive into that data afterwards. Now, it’s time to go for the world championship title.”

Morris Schuring (Porsche 911 GT3 R #91): “It was a dream come true for me! I’m only 19, so I didn’t even dare to think about winning a class at my first Le Mans start! I think we drove an almost flawless race with my teammates and the Manthey squad. No mistakes, no penalties and almost always the right tyre choice – that feels like the textbook example of a successful 24-hour race. We can be proud of that.”

P2 for #31 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3

The BMW M4 GT3 driven by Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael and Darren Leung crossed the line in second, a result that allows them and the team to significantly close the gap at the top of FIA World Endurance Championship standings as car #31 is now only two points from the lead in the LMGT3 class standings.

Augusto Farfus, who took the start, Darren Leung and Sean Gelael were sitting in 15th position during the opening hours, but went on to consistently climb positions thanks to perfect strategy and a faultless race. In the morning, the car emerged in the top three, exchanging positions often with its two direct rivals. Eventually, it settled in second position up to the chequered flag, after the rain reappeared in the last half-hour.

Augusto Farfus, driver #31: “I think that on Saturday morning, before the race start, nobody would have expected to be here, on the podium and in a great position to fight for the world title. Well done to BMW, Team WRT and all the guys. It’s all about teamwork and team effort, we kept it on the road during very difficult times in the night, but we were rewarded for the incredible strategy, pit stops and set-up. Now, let’s celebrate.” Source: Team WRT

First podium for Ford Mustang GT3

A strong showing from Proton Competition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: The team took its first WEC podium of the season and the first-ever podium for the Ford Mustang GT3

After 280 thrilling laps on the Circuit de la Sarthe, Giorgio Roda, Mikkel O. Pedersen and Dennis Olsen took third place in the new LMGT3 class with the #88 car..

Giorgio Roda (Ford Mustang GT3 #88): “I’m proud to finish on the podium in my third Le Mans start with our Mustang GT3. It was a very intense race from start to finish, especially given the treacherous conditions.”

Dennis Olsen (Ford Mustang GT3 #88): “It was clear to me after a few laps that we had an excellent package in the race. That boosted my confidence and gave me the motivation to take some risks despite the tricky conditions in the heavy rain. I had a great race through the night and I’m proud to have stood on the podium with Bill Ford himself.”

Mikkel O. Pedersen (Ford Mustang GT3 #88): “That was my third Le Mans but the first one I’ve finished. That speaks volumes about the quality of the Mustang GT3. It was a tough week. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a team.” Source: Proton Competition

Ford Mustang GT3 #44 fourth

Not much was missing for a double podium for the Ford Mustang GT3. John Hartshorne, Ben Tuck and Christopher Mies finished fourth in the number 44 car and rounded off Proton Competition’s strong team result at the season highlight in France. For Mies, it was his first start at Le Mans, for Hartshorne his last. What a debut and what a farewell!

Ben Tuck (Ford Mustang GT3 #44): “If someone had told me that I’d finish in the top 5 on my first Le Mans start, I would’ve asked them how much I’d have to pay for that result. I’m over the moon. Ford has made a successful return to Le Mans and I’m honoured to be a part of that story.”

John Hartshorne (Ford Mustang GT3 #44): “That was my final Le Mans. It was a very intense race. I’d like to thank Proton Competition, Ford and my teammates.”

Christopher Mies (Ford Mustang GT3 #44): “Our Mustang GT3 was fantastic to drive today. I can’t believe the progress we’ve made in recent months. I can only hope that these steps continue in the right direction.” Source: Proton Competition

Iron Dames take second consecutive top-five finish in Le Mans 24 Hours

For their sixth consecutive appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and their first one in the new highly competitive LMGT3 category, they delivered a flawless, high-flying performance. At the wheel of their #85 Lamborghini Huracán LMGT3 Evo 2, the trio of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting were the only females among the 186 drivers entered to take up the challenge of the ultimate endurance race.

Rahel Frey, stepping in for Doriane Pin, took the start of the race. The #85 car took time to get up to speed, but a great strategy call during an early rain shower and determined driving from Rahel took the car to the top three after the first few hours before Sarah Bovy took to the track. She was running very well in third when she was hit by the #4 Porsche Penske car, which did more damage to itself, not least with a penalty, than to the Dames’ car.
The team had lost around a minute due to the collision, but was still in the mix when Sarah handed back to Michelle. The team was able to run in the top eight as night time descended, including through a long Safety Car period, before Rahel took the car back as rain fell. The car, however, was not fast at this point of the race.

In the morning hours, a combination of great strategy and great driving from Michelle and later Rahel put the #85 in contention for a podium finish, sitting in third as the afternoon approached.
As the hours ticked down, the Iron Dames valiantly pushed on through further rain showers and Safety Cars but slipped down the order slightly. Regardless, they came home a very commendable fifth on the debut for the Huracán at this 24-hour race.

SARAH BOVY: "I think that since we arrived this week, I've been saying that if we finished in the top five, we'd be happy. We know that this is a new category and we've been building up little by little, but we knew that the competition here would be very fast. The team did a great job in terms of strategy, car preparation and reliability. Hats off to the team for that. We've done nothing but climb up the field and I don't have the disappointment of thinking that we've missed out on something. This year was the best we could have hoped for, and we'll have to hopefully come back and try to finish on the podium." Source: Iron Dames

Sixth for the #55 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3

The opening part of the race was positive for #55 Vista AF Corse's Ferrari. The crew, consisting of François Heriau, Simon Mann, and official Ferrari driver Alessio Rovera, climbed to fourth place. However, they lost ground due to a puncture just before midnight, when the rain was heavy, and Heriau was at the wheel. On a wet track, the #55 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 finished in sixth place with Alessio Rovera driving.

Alessio Rovera: “This 24 Hours of Le Mans was better than expected after the Hyperpole. We recovered many positions, and in the final laps, we tried to attack the Top 5. Even in the wet conditions, we were fast, and the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 performed well. Reliability was a strong point of the car; it's a pity about the puncture that slowed us down on Saturday evening, making us lose a lap. We came back again, but it's clear that being forced to chase every time complicated the work. The result obtained still allows us to score important points for the season. Now new international commitments await, and we will face them with maximum motivation, as always”. Source: Ferrari

Fantastic debut for the Ford Mustang GT3

Ryan Hardwick, Ben Barker and Zacharie Robichon also caused a stir with the number 77 car, despite being ultimately outpaced. Barker shone in qualifying with a sensational best time, and in the Hyperpole, Hardwick put the third Mustang GT3 entered by Proton Competition on the second row of the grid. However, following a promising start, the Ford had to pit and dropped back a significant portion. In the end, it crossed the line in 17th place.

Ryan Hardwick (Ford Mustang GT3 #77): “After qualifying for the Hyperpole and lining up on the second row of the grid, we had high hopes. But Le Mans is unpredictable. After a promising start, we were set back by the pit stop. We’re delighted to have witnessed our teammates in the number 88 car taking the first podium for the Mustang GT3.” Source: Proton Competition