AF Corse Triumph at le Mans: Kubica, Ye, and Hanson Reflect on a Historic Victory
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A remarkable win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by the AF Corse #83 Ferrari 499P team has prompted reflections from drivers Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson on the multifaceted nature of endurance racing. Each driver offered a unique viewpoint – from the collective effort required to succeed, to the personal and national meaning of the achievement, and the value of experience gained through years of competition.
“Le Mans is a big challenge for everyone,” he stated. “Not only for us drivers but especially for the team – for mechanics, for engineers, for everyone who has contributed to the work on the car, not only in Le Mans itself, but especially in the workshop preparing the car. It’s a long process so, my laps were a final part of a big challenge.Without those people, we would not be here.”
Kubica acknowledged the pressure of finishing the race,but also drew on past experiences,recalling a heartbreaking loss in the LMP2 class four years prior. “We had been in this situation four years ago where we were leading in LMP2, and we lost the race on the last lap due to a technical issue. Somehow, it was for me easier to drive the car than being outside of the car as I was four years ago. I was focused. It was intense.”
A Historic Moment for Chinese Motorsport
For Yifei Ye, promoted to a ferrari works driver in December 2023, the victory transcended sporting achievement, representing a landmark moment for Chinese motorsport.”Chinese motorsport has never enjoyed as big a success as my 24 Hours of Le Mans victory,” Ye explained. “I’m delighted to have become the first Chinese driver to win the race. I was really surprised by the repercussions from it on social media and TV. It drew a lot of attention, and I think that’s a good thing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA WEC. It also provides the impetus to keep on performing to such a standard.”
Ye also reflected on a previous near-miss with Kubica in 2021, where they led the LMP2 class before being forced to retire on the final lap.”I’m pleased to have won the race with Robert after 2021 when we were forced to retire on the last lap while leading the LMP2 class. I’ll never forget this victory.” Remarkably, Ye considers le Mans a second home, having moved there from China at age 14 to join the FFSA Academy. “I know Le Mans well… I lived in an apartment near the Forest Esses. I even sat my driving test here. I remember my instructor was most unhappy when I spun the car wheel on my first lesson! So it’s almost a home win for me.”
LMP2: A Crucial stepping Stone
Phil Hanson, a former LMP2 star, highlighted the value of the class as a proving ground for aspiring Hypercar drivers. Having secured a class win in 2020 with United Autosports, Hanson emphasized the wealth of experience gained through multiple Le Mans starts. “You do gain a huge amount of experience across many years of Le Mans,” he said. “I think there’s no actual ceiling on the amount of experience you could possibly gain as, every year, you face different circumstances: weather, conditions… A race like this year’s where it was basically a true attrition race, flat out for every single lap as you saw.So every year you can gather beneath your belt,all those years in LMP2,were essentially very useful just to build that experience.” He also acknowledged his previous battles with Kubica and Ye in LMP2, recalling a frustrating mechanical failure that cost him a potential win in a prior race.
The AF Corse team’s victory at Le Mans underscores the complex interplay of skill, teamwork, and perseverance required to succeed in the world’s most demanding endurance race. The diverse perspectives of Kubica,Ye,and Hanson offer a compelling insight into the profound impact of this historic triumph.
