The countdown has begun for the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the crown jewel of the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar. As this legendary event approaches, Miguel Molina prepares to take on a doubly symbolic challenge: defending his 2024 victory in the #50 Ferrari 499P alongside Antonio Fuoco and Nicklas Nielsen while consolidating his position as a world title contender.
After an intense run of four races in six weeks, Miguel Molina has had a chance to recharge his batteries before taking on the biggest challenge of his season: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
As he has done every year since 2017, the Spanish driver will enter the twice-around-the-clock classic behind the wheel of a Ferrari. For his ninth consecutive Le Mans appearance, his third in the top-flight Hypercar category, Miguel Molina will reunite with Antonio Fuoco and Nicklas Nielsen in the #50 Ferrari 499P fielded by Ferrari - AF Corse. Fifth in 2023, before winning in 2024, the crew approaches the race with a wealth of experience and unwavering ambition: to make Ferrari succeed against increasingly fierce competition.
“This will be my ninth Le Mans appearance, and it’s always special to return. There’s something unique about this place. We live in the motorhome for the entire week, which makes the experience different from any other race. I so much enjoy that rhythm. You usually wake up in the morning stress-free, and as the sessions are in the afternoon and the evening, you have time to ease into the day. I like this experience, and coming back feels even more special after last year, which is the most memorable moment of my career so far.”
"It was the pinnacle, and those feelings remain, especially now that I’m back. What we achieved last year was very important, and that emotion stays with me. Also, representing Ferrari in such an important race again is a genuine honour. I always remind myself of Ferrari’s racing history in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where everything started in 1949. That heritage means a lot to us. For sure, there's extra pressure, but it's the kind of pressure that turns into motivation. It’s actually enjoyable!"
This 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans coincides with an especially successful period for Ferrari. Unbeaten at La Sarthe since returning to the top flight of endurance racing, the Italian manufacturer is also unbeaten so far this season in the FIA WEC, with a victory for the Molina-Fuoco-Nielsen crew in the opening round in Qatar. Like his teammates, the Ferrari factory driver knows that his rivals are determined to reverse the trend, but he remains positive before getting down to business.
Before taking to the track to defend their victory, Miguel Molina and his teammates headed into the city centre on Saturday morning for the Pesage, where FIA and ACO officials scrutinised each car's and crew's key components. After a run through the city, they will return to the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans for Test Day, where two three-hour sessions will allow them to get back up to speed on this unique 13.626 km circuit.
“It will be good to be back on this track with iconic sections of the circuit like Mulsanne and Indianapolis, which I enjoy the most, especially with the Ferrari 499P. You arrive at high speed, and the braking zones there are very challenging. That’s where your blood starts racing. Anyway, the focus for Test Day is all about getting to grips again with the track, testing the car, understanding everything, and getting up to speed. Track evolution here is huge, as always, so building confidence, finding the pace, and properly preparing is essential. That's the key to a strong start to race week."
The pace will then pick up with data analysis until the first free practice sessions on Wednesday, shortly before the crucial qualifying sessions. The new format will pose added challenges, as only the top 15 drivers at the end of the 30-minute session will advance to Hyperpole 1 the following day over 20 minutes. The top ten will then be selected to compete for pole position in the 15-minute Hyperpole 2, in which the drivers must be different from those who participated in Hyperpole 1.
After a final night run on Thursday evening and the Friday parade in the city centre, the No. 50 crew will return to the track on Saturday morning for the warm-up. Shortly afterwards, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at 4 pm, releasing an impressive field of 62 cars, including 21 in the premier Hypercar category.
Miguel Molina heads into this new edition with confidence, clarity and ambition. He knows that Le Mans is never won twice in the same manner, but he can count on the strength of his trio, the rigour of the Ferrari – AF Corse team and a proven technical package to defend his chances. Beyond the race's prestige, this week could prove decisive in the title race, as double points are up for grabs before the second half of the season begins.
“I’m very positive going into this week, especially because of our momentum. The results from the first three races show we're on a good path. Experience also tells me how to approach a race like this. I've trained more intensely to have the right energy, but I believe Le Mans is more mentally tiring than physically demanding. That's the way this race is! So, we're confident and well-prepared, but Le Mans is a unique challenge. Most competitors will be strong here, and the fight will be extremely tight throughout the field. We have a good chance but know the race will be extremely close. Being on the podium again would be fantastic, and winning is the target. However, we must be cautious and humble, as Le Mans doesn't allow assumptions. For instance, one of the keys will always be to leave a bit of margin in traffic, as a small mistake can greatly impact your race. We're positive, but we know we must work harder than ever to get a solid result, which would also be good for the championship!”
Sunday 8 June
10:00 am-1:00 pm: Test Day
3:30-6:30 pm: Test Day
Tuesday 10 June
2:00-5:00 pm: Autograph session & Pit Walk
Wednesday 11 June
2:00-5:00 pm: Free practice 1
7:30-8:00 pm Hypercar Qualifying
10:00 pm-12:00 am: Free practice 2
Thursday 12 June
2:45-5:45 pm: Free practice 3
9:05-9:25 pm: Hyperpole 1
9:40-9:55 pm: Hyperpole 2
11:00 pm-12:00 am: Free practice 4
Friday 13 June
4:00-7:00 pm: Driver parade
Saturday 14 June
12:00-12:15 pm: Warm-up
4:00 pm: Start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Sunday 15 June
4:00 pm: Finish of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
