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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
From zero to almost podium hero in Toyota GR Cup stunner
Halfway mark in this year's series at Zwartkops saw The Citizen finish third on-track in race two, but just out of reach of an overall podium for the day. The Citizen's GR Cup rookie bounced back from a terrible race one finish, to place third in race two. Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing Four-time British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) champion Win Percy probably summarised it the best when talking about the series in a documentary with broadcaster ITV back in 2014. 'The said truth is, a lot of people go (motor racing events) to watch accidents, it is terrible but it is true. To a lot of people, if it is a boring race because someone has driven very well, but there has been no incidents, they don't enjoy it the same if there is a crash'. While round four of the Toyota GR Cup this past weekend at the Zwartkops Raceway outside Pretoria cannot be seen as on par with some of the panel bashing that has characterised the BTCC, it still amounted the most heated weekend of the season so far. Biggest grid so far Similar to the Super Touring era of the BTCC, the halfway mark of this year's championship also saw the biggest field of GRs take to the grid. ALSO READ: Return to home ground counts for little in Toyota GR Cup thriller Supposedly put out of service after round two at Kyalami, four of the manual GR Yaris' were brought back, three campaigned by dealers and one by the GR Academy. It, therefore, meant that 25 GR Yaris', GR Corollas and GR86s were present for round four of the GR Cup and of the National Extreme Festival, the most of any discipline and set to grow further if mutterings around the pitlane were to be true. Zwartkops yielded the biggest field of Toyota GR Cup cars, 25, in the season's four-year history. Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing What it meant was a massive grid and, like the BTCC in its heyday, prone to a few unavoidable scratches which until now, had been in the minority. A track that warrants respects After a reasonably good debut for the new eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) GR Yaris at the last round at Aldo Scribante, my hopes for Zwartkops were pretty low in the weeks leading up to the event. Besides the learning process of still getting to know the car, any supposed advantages were zero as our shakedown introduction to the GR Cup in March had been with the manual GR Yaris. Adding to the ease provided by the DAT, it would down to skill to master a circuit which, although compact and short at 2.4 km, deserves respect to get right. Besides the fast turn one and tight turn two hairpin, the backstraight into turn four seldom misses an opportunity to catch those out who get it wrong. Get it right, the run up the hill to turns five and six passes Toyota GR HQ where all of the executives were seated – the biggest hint not to go off or bash panels. From there, the run down the hill pass turns seven and then turn eight hairpin comes with its own challenge – the latter prone to see drivers spin out for entering too fast, or fly onto the gravel on the outside of what becomes the main straight. Practise Setting off for practise, the same lack of feel with the Yaris experienced at Scribante at all but disappeared even in the colder temperatures of running early. Gaining confidence, I managed to set a time of 1.14.6 after the first session. However, I knew I could still go faster. That, of course, means becoming a braver and taking some risk, which, halfway through the second session, saw the magnetising effect of turn four grip the front of the Yaris while letting the rear slide. A spin during second practise, fortunately, didn't repeat itself in either of the two races. Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing Thinking the rear would eventually, literally, come around, I kept calm even as the inside barrier got ever closer. Eventually, only a half spin was executed, but needles to say, my confidence had been shattered, not helped by the car going into the limp mode as I tried to start a new lap. It wasn't all lost though and apart from there being no damage, I still improved on my best time. A largely clean third session yielded the same result, but with a two-tenths gain over my best run. Qualifying Come qualifying, and after having endured anything but a good night's rest, the nerves were at an all-time high. Unlike Scribante, there was no need to worry about Zwartkops chowing our Dunlop Direzza rubber to bits. The biggest issue though was going to be traffic. As a way of overcoming this, the field was split into two, thereby avoiding any possible heated moments and accusations of impeding one another. Going out as part of the second group, I decided to through caution out of the window and try to be as fast and smooth as possible without spinning or turning The Citizen's GR Yaris into a GR Yaris Cross. Using the intercooler sprayer that activates at full throttle, my lap time tumbled and eventually came with my set goal of under 1.14. My enthusiasm soon disappeared though as I realised that my time of 1.13.9 was nearly three-tenths slower than my arch rival, IOL/Independent's Willem van de Putte. Speechless and anything but pleased, the goal for race one was a familiar one – get ahead as quickly as possible and try to latch-up with the fourth place CAR Magazine Yaris of Kyle Kock. Although I was to start directly behind Willem, my immediate target was getting passed the Rola Yaris of Andries de Villiers starting on the opposite side. As with Killarney, the first two corners would be under yellow flag conditions to avoid a possible mass accident of 25 of Toyota's finest performance cars smashing into each other or into the barriers at once. Race 1 From the rolling start and once out of turn two, I made a reasonable getaway but simply couldn't mount on a challenge on the Rola ahead car. Trying my hardest as de Villiers and van der Putte squabbled, my hopes came to an end when a bad exit out of turn two ended with oversteer and a trip onto gravel. Missing the outside wall, my race was over as watched the IOL and Rola Yaris' nearly coming to blows on the final lap. A race best described as sloppy and with one of too many off-road ventures, besides the turn two mishap, I knew I had blown my weekend and any chances of getting close to AutoTrader's Lawrence Minnie, who lies fourth in the championship ahead of me. Downhearted, I learned that my best time in race had, however, been enough to place me ahead of Willem for race two. Race 2 As the lights went out, the IOL Yaris got the jump once again, but this time, I found myself also having to content with the fast-starting Halfway GR Corolla of an ever improving Kevin Crowie. The Halfway man proceeded to pass me soon after, but after overtaking Willem as well, matters came unstuck as we went up the up the hill. Having ducked and dived behind the pink IOL Yaris, a good exit out of turn four saw me take a deep breath and, using the passing lines, dive pass him in front of Toyota HQ. At the same time, I also overtook Crowie, who had gone in to deep and onto the gravel, dropping him behind Willem. It wasn't over though and after a mistake that saw me going wide, Willem retook my fifth position, but not for long. Having lost a position to the NMI GR Corolla of Theo Brits, de Villiers found himself in front of van der Putte at the start of lap four. A ballsy overtook in front of Toyota GR headquarters paid-off early for The Citizen in race two. Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing The inevitable then happened as Willem's attempt to pass at turn two saw the Rola Yaris come to into contact with the IOL man. Having had a grandstand view, evasive driving was required as myself and Kevin took to the gravel to avoid the drama in front of us. With my nearest rival gone, and the Halfway Corolla big in my mirrors, concentration was needed to score yet another fifth place finish. This almost ended as I entered turn eight too fast with two laps to go and ended on the gravel, still with Kevin behind me. With the NMI entry visible but well out of striking range, I entered turn two on my last lap to the sight of first the CAR Magazine Yaris and then the AutoTrader entry going slowly after an incident at the hairpin. Keeping my foot down despite not knowing what had happened, I crossed the line to finish third behind race winner and championship leader, Nabil Abdool (SuperSport), and Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive). It is also happened though, Lawrence had nursed his Yaris across the line and based on his third place finish in race one and my sixth, had done enough in the combined overall results to finish third. This meant that, despite finishing third on-track, my overall result for the day saw me in fourth place with a total time of 21:04:724 versus the AutoTrader man's 20:56:543. Next…. As much as luck played had played its part in my third place finish, the omen couldn't have come at a better time as the next round heads to the fastest and scariest track in South Africa, the East London Grand Prix Circuit on 19 July. NOW READ: Kyalami deals cruel hand to The Citizen in Toyota GR Cup
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
After 12 years' hiatus, Super GT racing series returns to Malaysia – its only overseas stop
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 — After a 12-year hiatus, the Super GT racing series is returning to Malaysia – the only overseas stop in Japan's premier grand touring (GT) championship this year. Malaysia will host the third round of the 2025 Super GT series, from June 26 to June 28 at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit. Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia is the title sponsor for the Malaysian round. The other seven races in the 2025 race calendar will take place at premier circuits across Japan. Malaysia last hosted the Super GT in 2013 which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the racing series. The Super GT was slated for a comeback in July 2020, as Malaysia was eyeing to host the world's first-ever GT night race. However, the Covid-19 pandemic pulled the brakes on the plan. Making up for the letdown, the Super GT Malaysia Festival 2025 is revving up the fanfare, promising a treat for both automotive fans and Japanese culture enthusiasts. As the Super GT is a major event leading up to Visit Malaysia 2026, it has also been endorsed by Tourism Malaysia, Visit Selangor 2025 and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Super GT Malaysia Festival 2025 will also host a Japanese cultural festival or 'Nihon Matsuri', featuring the time-tested traditions of Japan. — Picture courtesy of Super GT Malaysia So, what's lined up for you? Two separate races — the GR86 Cup race and TGR Vios race – will be running concurrently with the Super GT during the three-day event. Special promotions of automotive products from renowned brands such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan also await car enthusiasts at automotive showcases there. Additionally, more than 50 cars from the Japanese Domestic Market will also be on display. Super GT official merchandise will also be on sale during the event. Cars, however, will not be the only ones stealing the spotlight. The Super GT is also hosting a Japanese cultural festival or Nihon Matsuri for fans to experience the time-tested traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun. The Nihon Matsuri will feature some 40 vendors rolling out an array of traditional Japanese delicacies, games and performances. Three top cosplayers will be chosen daily to win a cash prize of RM500 each. — Picture courtesy of Super GT Malaysia So, cosplayers, channel your inner superhero — or supervillain — and suit up! The organisers will be scouting for three top cosplayers daily to give away cash prizes worth RM500 each. Topping it off, the KLP48 international girl group — sister group to the popular Japanese mega girl-group AKB48 — will be performing at the GT Live! Concert on the final night (June 28). The GT Live! Concert will also feature several household names, including Kaka Azraff, the Garam Madu fame Naykilla and Jemsii, Fareedpf, Sabhi Saddi, Sara Fajira as well as Kaz and Sora. Prices of the Super GT tickets range from RM100 (K1 Grandstand) to RM15,000 (Dream Package per two passes). Except for those in the K1 Grandstand category, ticket-holders from all categories can also participate in a lucky draw by purchasing their tickets with a Mastercard. The grand prize for the Super GT Malaysia Festival 2025 lucky draw is a brand new Toyota GR Supra worth RM645,000. — Picture courtesy of Super GT Malaysia If you're lucky to win the grand prize, you may be driving home a brand new Toyota GR Supra worth RM645,000. For more information regarding Super GT Malaysia Festival 2025, including the schedule and ticket buying, visit
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota GR Cup reaches its most important round at Zwartkops
The halfway point in this year's championship returns to the Highveld for the first time since May, and where it all began for the participating media. The previous round at Aldo Scribante saw the debut of the revised GR Yaris complete with the new eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission and more powerful 1.6-litre engine. Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing An expected level playing field will most certainly not be applicable at this weekend's fourth round of the Toyota GR Cup. A month after the last round at Aldo Scribante, and second to use the upgraded Yaris fitted with the more powerful G16E-GTS three-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT), the championship moves to where to current crop of motoring media's racing careers started, the Zwartkops Raceway outside Pretoria. Driven yes, but not in anger Unlike the shakedown test and getting to grips with the intricacies of motorsport back in March, the art of racing at high speed and in close proximity to other cars has no longer become scary and intimidating, but often personal and a thrill. The fourth round of the series, and also of the National Extreme Festival, serves as the first visit back on the Highveld since Kyalami in May, and, unlike the actual driving encompassing practice, qualifying and two races, comes with a different challenge. Besides being the home of the Toyota GR Academy, and therefore taking place before the brand's high-ranking executives, the supposed level playing field is unlikely to be of concern for the following reasons. ALSO READ: Return to home ground counts for little in Toyota GR Cup thriller While all of the media have had experience of the circuit either during the shakedown and/or on the simulator, racing at full tilt will be something new. During the former, the grid was frequented by only the six media GR Yaris' and two GR Corollas driven by GR instructors Paul de Vos and Devon Scott. This time around, the field will include the GR Academy GR86s and the selected GR dealers campaigning the GR Corollas to make about over 20 entrants. Zwartkops: A proper challenge Along with the tight and fast confines of Zwartkops compared to Aldo Scribante or Killarney, the challenge is much greater as either panel bashing will take place, or in the worst possible case, making a new friend called armco barrier. Notwithstanding being under the microscope of Toyota's top brass, the circuit itself has proven over time to be unforgivable. Admittedly, no longer the fast challenge of the old track torn up nearly three decades ago, the focus on being a spectator spectacle means there is no place to hide when you get it wrong. Whereas the first corner is taken flat or accompanied with a lift, getting the turn two hairpin right presents a surprising challenge. Despite appearing as easy as hitting brakes and flicking the paddles, or leaving the 'box to its own devices, getting it right will depend on the method of entry of the car in front, your entry line and whether you are prepared to risk it all for an overtake on the inside. The backstraight 'complex' of turns three and four come next. Also flat, the latter remains the most daunting as it requires the biggest decision; take it at full chat and possibly risk going off, or lift and lose speed or even a place. From here, the short track up the hill to turns five and six past Toyota GR Academy HQ demands not only confidence in braking, but trust in the driver next to you should you enter it side-by-side. Always the scene of accidents ranging from panel bashing to being beached in the outside gravel bed, the skillset in getting it right will pay-off heading down through turn seven and into another flashpoint, the final turn eight hairpin. Another corner that requires patience and not being a last moment hero, getting enough drive will have the benefit of latching on to the car ahead and hopefully with enough momentum for an overtake either at turns one or two. Learning not done What's more, the second race with the self-shifting GR Yaris will be another learning curve as shakedown took place with the previous generation fitted with the six-speed manual 'box. Although likely to be easier given the lack of a clutch pedal, it still remains a new car and thus, will most probably be understood in full come the next round in East London in July. For the moment though, the halfway marker in the championship will still be important for The Citizen, who lies fifth in the series after five fifth place finishes and one sixth. Still on target Runaway championship leader Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) has so far not been beaten and arrives at Zwartkops with a full house of points (42), having one six out of six so far. CAR Magazine's Kyle Kock sits second on 29 and TimesLive's Phuti Mpyane third on 25. AutoTrader's Lawrence Minnie occupies fourth on 18 ahead of yours truly on 11 and IOL/Independent's Willem van der Putte on 7. Although far from being balanced on a knife edge, the expectation to do well, not embark on an argy-bargy spell at Toyota's home event, and still give it everything will be top of mind when the lights go out on Saturday (21 June). NOW READ: Kyalami deals cruel hand to The Citizen in Toyota GR Cup
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Photos: The 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance auto racing
Toyota Gazoo Racing car (No. 7) a Toyota GR010 Hybrid with Mike Conway of Britain, Kamui Kobayashi of Japan and Nyck de Vries of the Netherlands races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) The car number 150 RICHARD MILLE AF CORSE a Ferrari 296 LMGT3, makes a pit stop during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) The car number 50 a Ferrari AF Corse a Ferrari 499P with Antonio Fuoco of Italy, Miguel Molina of Spain and Nicklas Nielsen of Denmark makes a pit stop during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Marshals watch the cars on the race track during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cars race during the start of the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (starting no. 6) a Porsche 963 with Kevin Estre of France, Laurens Vanthoor of Belgium and Matt Campbell of Australia races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Mechanics sleep in the paddock during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Spectators wait the start of the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cars race during the start of the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cadillac Whelen car (No. 311) a Cadillac V‑Series. R, with Jack Aitken of Britain, Felipe Drugovich of Brazil and Frederik Vesti of Denmark races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Alpine Endurance Team car (starting no. 35) an Alpine A424 with Paul‑Loup Chatin of France, Ferdinand Habsburg of Austria and Charles Milesi of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA car (starting no. 12) a Cadillac V‑Series.R with Will Stevens of Great Britain, Norman Nato of France and Alex Lynn of Great Britain races duringt he 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Crew members work on the No 31 car, a BMW M4 LMGT3 of THE BEND TEAM WRT during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) A fan sleeps in the stands during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (starting no. 5) a Porsche 963 with Julien Andlauer of France, Michael Christensen of Denmark and Mathieu Jaminet of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Peugeot TotalEnergies car (starting no. 93) a Peugeot 9X8 with Paul di Resta of Great Britain, Mikkel Jensen of Denmark and Jean‑Eric Vergne of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (No. 6) a Porsche 963 with Kevin Estre of France, Laurens Vanthoor of Belgium and Matt Campbell of Australia races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (starting no. 5) a Porsche 963 with Julien Andlauer of France, Michael Christensen of Denmark and Mathieu Jaminet of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Ferrari AF Corse car (starting no. 50) a Ferrari 499P with Antonio Fuoco of Italy, Miguel Molina of Spain and Nicklas Nielsen of Denmark races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Pit crew members work on the No. 50, a Ferrari 499P with Antonio Fuoco of Italy, Miguel Molina of Spain and Nicklas Nielsen of Denmark during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) AF Corse car (starting no. 83) a Ferrari 499P with Robert Kubica of Poland, Yifei Ye of China and Phil Hanson of Great Britain races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) The cars number 83 AF Corse cara Ferrari 499P with Robert Kubica of Poland, Yifei Ye of China and Phil Hanson of Great Britain makes a pit stop during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Ferrari AF Corse car (no. 51) a Ferrari 499P with Alessandro Pier Guidi of Italy, James Calado of Great Britain and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Pit crew members work on the No.51 a Ferrari 499P with Alessandro Pier Guidi of Italy, James Calado of Great Britain and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy, races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Pit crew members work on the No.51 a Ferrari 499P with Alessandro Pier Guidi of Italy, James Calado of Great Britain and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy, races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Toyota Gazoo Racing car (No. 7) a Toyota GR010 Hybrid with Mike Conway of Britain, Kamui Kobayashi of Japan and Nyck de Vries of the Netherlands races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) The car number 150 RICHARD MILLE AF CORSE a Ferrari 296 LMGT3, makes a pit stop during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) The car number 50 a Ferrari AF Corse a Ferrari 499P with Antonio Fuoco of Italy, Miguel Molina of Spain and Nicklas Nielsen of Denmark makes a pit stop during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Marshals watch the cars on the race track during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cars race during the start of the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (starting no. 6) a Porsche 963 with Kevin Estre of France, Laurens Vanthoor of Belgium and Matt Campbell of Australia races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Mechanics sleep in the paddock during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Spectators wait the start of the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cars race during the start of the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cadillac Whelen car (No. 311) a Cadillac V‑Series. R, with Jack Aitken of Britain, Felipe Drugovich of Brazil and Frederik Vesti of Denmark races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Alpine Endurance Team car (starting no. 35) an Alpine A424 with Paul‑Loup Chatin of France, Ferdinand Habsburg of Austria and Charles Milesi of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA car (starting no. 12) a Cadillac V‑Series.R with Will Stevens of Great Britain, Norman Nato of France and Alex Lynn of Great Britain races duringt he 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Crew members work on the No 31 car, a BMW M4 LMGT3 of THE BEND TEAM WRT during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) A fan sleeps in the stands during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (starting no. 5) a Porsche 963 with Julien Andlauer of France, Michael Christensen of Denmark and Mathieu Jaminet of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Peugeot TotalEnergies car (starting no. 93) a Peugeot 9X8 with Paul di Resta of Great Britain, Mikkel Jensen of Denmark and Jean‑Eric Vergne of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (No. 6) a Porsche 963 with Kevin Estre of France, Laurens Vanthoor of Belgium and Matt Campbell of Australia races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Porsche Penske Motorsport car (starting no. 5) a Porsche 963 with Julien Andlauer of France, Michael Christensen of Denmark and Mathieu Jaminet of France races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Ferrari AF Corse car (starting no. 50) a Ferrari 499P with Antonio Fuoco of Italy, Miguel Molina of Spain and Nicklas Nielsen of Denmark races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Pit crew members work on the No. 50, a Ferrari 499P with Antonio Fuoco of Italy, Miguel Molina of Spain and Nicklas Nielsen of Denmark during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) AF Corse car (starting no. 83) a Ferrari 499P with Robert Kubica of Poland, Yifei Ye of China and Phil Hanson of Great Britain races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance auto race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) The cars number 83 AF Corse cara Ferrari 499P with Robert Kubica of Poland, Yifei Ye of China and Phil Hanson of Great Britain makes a pit stop during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Ferrari AF Corse car (no. 51) a Ferrari 499P with Alessandro Pier Guidi of Italy, James Calado of Great Britain and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Saturday June 14, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) Pit crew members work on the No.51 a Ferrari 499P with Alessandro Pier Guidi of Italy, James Calado of Great Britain and Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy, races during the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race, Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Le Mans, western France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez) LE MANS, France (AP) — Every June drivers from different countries compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. Established over a hundred years ago, the endurance race is won by the car covering the greatest distance in 24 hours. The winners of Le Mans will stand on the podium June 15. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ferrari Runs 1-2-3 in 24 Hours of Le Mans at Six-Hour Mark
As the sun sets around the circuit and the 24 Hours of Le Mans enters its short night, Ferrari has put themselves in the optimal position to complete their three-peat, with all three entries running 1-2-3 in the Hypercar category. They leading hypercars completed 97 laps in the opening six hours. If Ferrari wins three in a row, it will be the first time since the Italian company has won three or more in a row since it was bested by Ford in 1966, ending a six-year streak of wins for the prancing horse. The No. 6 Porsche Penske runs fourth after becoming the lead Porsche after its sister car, the No. 5, lost momentum after losing the lead to the Ferrari in the third hour. Antonio Fuoco took the lead in the No. 50 Ferrari 499P for the first time two hours and 35 minutes into the race by passing Mathieu Jaminet in the No. 5 Porsche Penske through Indianapolis corner. From here, Fuoco's fellow Ferrari drivers would join him up front en route to a Ferrari 1-2-3 at the six-hour mark. After Mathieu lost second place, Porsche made the team decision to switch the No. 5 and No. 6, sending Laurens Vanthoor after the leading Ferraris. Toyota Gazoo Racing No. 8 runs fifth ahead of the No. 6 Porsche Penske. After starting on the pole, the Cadillac Hertz Team Jota No. 12 finds itself in eighth place. The Peugeot No. 94 and BMW M Team WRT No. 10 round out the top ten. At the six-hour mark, the leaders are starting to shuffle through the pits again with their energy reversed at a minimal and driver changes are needed. The factory Ferraris pitted first, with the No. 83 AF Corse following a few laps later. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
