Toyota returns to Le Mans throne: No.7 car edges out BMW by 10 seconds to end Ferrari's three-year reign

A masterclass in patience

Toyota reclaimed the Le Mans crown after three years of Ferrari dominance, converting a quiet build-up into a sixth outright victory. The Japanese manufacturer executed a near-flawless race, but the win was far from serene. A puncture, a sensor issue on the transmission shaft, and intermittent power loss all struck the No.7 car, yet the crew never deviated from its disciplined framework.

“We lived a very difficult week, and even during the race not everything was smooth, but we managed to go all the way.”

Yannick Dalmas, a four-time winner of the event, had predicted the outcome on Friday.

“The winner will be the most patient: no mistakes, respect the procedures. Before the 14th hour, 6 a.m., there is no reason to try to stand out. The winner will be that one, and I think Toyota knows how to do that very well.”

His words proved prophetic.

BMW's bittersweet breakthrough

BMW came closer than ever to a first overall Le Mans victory since 1999. The No.20 M Hybrid V8 of Robin Frijns, René Rast, and Sheldon van der Linde led for long stretches, set a blistering pace, and pushed Toyota deep into the race. A small contact in the Esses de la forêt at dusk eliminated the sister No.15 car from contention, but the surviving entry forced the Japanese squad to dig deep. In the end, the margin was a slender ten seconds.

Cadillac also had its moments, with Sébastien Bourdais running at the front before a power-steering failure forced his car into retirement during the night. The American brand's remaining No.12 entry finished fourth, ahead of the best Ferrari.

Ferrari's crown slips

Ferrari arrived aiming for a fourth consecutive Le Mans victory but never found the pace that had carried three different 499Ps to the top step in previous years.

“It was clear from the test day. Even before, we knew it wasn't balanced”

, the Italian driver admitted after finishing fifth. The No.50 car of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen retired on Sunday morning after a fire-extinguisher system fault. The No.83 AF Corse entry, with Robert Kubica among its drivers, took seventh. Ferrari left La Sarthe without a podium for the first time since 2022.

Survive, execute, collect

Toyota's edge was built on collective strength. The No.8 car of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa ran strongly for much of the race, allowing the team to cross-check information on tyre wear and fuel strategy. A decisive four-stint run on the soft compound during the night, confirmed by Michelin as a major step, propelled the No.7 back into contention.

“For a long time, it looked very good for the No.8, and the competition was very strong. Cadillac, BMW… everyone had their moment.”

The early decision to pit very soon after the start, escaping traffic and gaining clear air, also paid off handsomely.

“This time, no one can say we won without competition. We did the job until the end. I'm happy for the whole team that gave everything to be here.”

Heartbreak and revival

Thirteen cars retired, roughly a fifth of the field. Among the disappointed were local hero Bourdais in the Cadillac, young Frenchwoman Doriane Pin whose Oreca led LMP2 before a brake failure, and the pole-sitting BMW No.15. The LMGT3 category produced a feel-good story as 22-year-old Briton Jonny Edgar, who overcame a lengthy illness that stalled his single-seater career, took class victory in the No.33 Corvette alongside Ben Keating and Nick Catsburg.

Alpine showed early promise, with the No.35 car running as high as sixth, but its farewell Le Mans campaign (the brand leaves endurance racing at the end of the season) faded when reliability intervened. Peugeot, meanwhile, never threatened; its two 9X8s finished 11th and 12th, gaining places only through the retirements of others.