Kubica leads 'privateer' Ferrari to third consecutive victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans

Ferrari's Robert Kubica competes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025
Ferrari's Robert Kubica competes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica took the chequered flag in his bright yellow 'privateer' Ferrari to give the Italian marque a third consecutive win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday.

In a thrilling race, which saw the top four separated by just over 20 seconds going into the final 15 minutes, Kubica and his co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei finished just 15sec ahead of a Porsche driven by Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens Vanthoor.

All three drivers of #83 are first-time winners with Kubica becoming the first Polish winner and Ye the first from China.

Two more Ferraris crossed the line for third and fourth, thwarted in their bid for a clean sweep of the podium, something they had achieved twice before in 1961 and 1965.

It was still a great day for the tifosi although joy will not be unconfined in Maranello. As the winning car was not entered directly by the manufacturer, but by the AF Corse team, Ferrari will not take the points for victory in the World Endurance Championship.