'It will go down in history' - Tom Kristensen hails 'incredibly dramatic' 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023

ByEurosport

Updated 11/06/2023 at 17:14 GMT

Nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen has hailed the 2023 edition of the event as potentially its best. Ferrari claimed a sensational win on their return to the race with their #51 car coming out on top. In doing so, they unseated five-time defending champions Toyota at the Circuit de La Sarthe. Stream 24 Hours of Le Mans on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Tom Kristensen has said that the 2023 edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans will "go down in history" after Ferrari came out on top on their return to the event.

The #51 car of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Alessandro Pier Guidi took the chequered flag 1:21.793 ahead of their nearest competitor – the #8 Toyota – to win the centenary edition of the event.

Ferrari traded blows with defending champions Toyota over the course of a rain-affected, drama-filled race.

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The Italian manufacturer - and Pier Guidi specifically - had negotiated the weather masterfully to establish a lead of over a minute but with five and a half hours to go handed their rivals the lead after their car failed to restart after a driver swap.

However, the Scuderia lent on its superior pace to regain the lead and looked to be all but assured of victory after a late error from Toyota's Ryo Hirakawa saw his car spin into the barrier following a rear lock-up.

There was, though, still room for drama late on with another pit-related scare for Ferrari when the car would again not restart; Pier Guidi retained his composure, got the car going to seal a stunning return to Le Mans for the Italian manufacturer.

Kristensen, a nine-time winner of the event, said the race will go down in history.

“It was incredibly dramatic,” began Kristensen. “It was chaos at times - great battles.

“That little bit of spray in the beginning and then a little bit more spray and then some heavy rain. It created so much drama that it was very difficult to keep an eye on at times.

“It will go down in history as if not the best, then very close to [the best race].”

Anthony Davidson - the 2014 World Endurance Drivers’ champion - added that Ferrari had beaten the best of the best, the five-time reigning champions of Toyota to win the event.

“They were formidable,” added Davidson

“They beat the best in the business today, Toyota. For them to stand on the podium and look over their shoulders and know they beat the best in the business on their first time back here in 50 years, that means a lot.”

• Ferrari claim sensational win on Le Mans return

Watch final lap as Ferrari take stunning win

The win represented a first win for in 58 years for Ferrari, and there were euphoric and emotional scenes at the race finish.

“I’m so emotional, it’s unbelievable – just a great feeling,” said Giovinazzi after the race.

Watch the champagne moment on the podium after Ferrari win Le Mans

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24 Hours of Le Mans was live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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