Despite Ferrari’s absence from the race, the Italian automaker has finally reclaimed the top step of the podium with car #51 narrowly defeating the Toyota GR #8 car.

Many more challengers for the overall Le Mans Hypercar category in 2023 means Toyota GR had their work cut out for them to retain their title. In 2022 only two manufacturers, Toyota GR and Glickenhaus, competed for overall victory.

The new year with newly implemented regulations has fostered healthier conditions in the top flight of the competition. A total of 16 total entries now accompany Toyota GR and Glickenhaus, this includes Ferrari, Cadillac, Peugeot and Porsche.

After a nail-biting period at the Circuit de la Sarthe, it was the #51 Ferrari 499P car of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado that emerged victorious over the #8 Toyota GR010-Hybrid of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryō Hirakawa.

Being impressively matched in performance, both contenders provided some tense moments for spectators and their respective teams.

With less than 2 hours to go, being over a dozen of seconds behind the Prancing Horse, Hirakawa suffered a spin towards the Porsche curves which relegated the young Japanese driver to over 3 minutes behind the leader.

Following the race leader and runner-up was a duo of Cadillacs that despite their consistency, seem to have been slightly shy of the performance to keep up with the front of the pack. The American brutes were chased by the sister car of the victorious Ferrari, followed by Porsche Penske. The duo of Glickenhaus led the duo of wingless Peugeots.