Ferrari chairman John Elkann praised the manufacturer and its partner AF Corse for achieving a remarkable win in the Le Mans 24 Hours, an achievement that he said brought together the Italian manufacturer's past, present and future.
Ferrari's 499P Hypercar emerged on Sunday at Le Mans victorious from a titanic battle with Toyota, the winning #50 machine of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi defeating its rival by just 1 minute and 21 seconds after an epic shootout between the two competitors that began in the early hours of Sunday morning.
While Ferrari has enjoyed a multitude of class wins at Le Mans in recent years, it was the House of Maranello's first overall victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe since 1965!
©Ferrari
The triumph will hopefully boost the morale of Ferrari's tifosi who have been disappointed by the Scuderia's frustrating season so far in Formula 1.
"This has been an unforgettable day that I’d like to dedicate to everyone at Ferrari," commented Elkann after Ferrari's historic victory.
"After 50 years we have returned to compete in the highest category of endurance racing that has a place at the very heart of our story and that of all motorsport.
"We're proud indeed to have taken Italy once again to the top step of the podium at Le Mans, celebrating in the best possible style the centenary of the most important race of its kind in the world."
Elkann paid tribute to all those that invested their efforts in Ferrari's Hypercar programme, especially the manufacturer's global head of endurance racing Antonello Coletta and AF Corse founder Amato Ferrari, who despite his famous name isn't related to the Ferrari family.
"This victory that Antonello Coletta, Amato Ferrari and the entire team, from our mechanics to our drivers, have achieved today in such challenging conditions - because of the 24 hour duration, the unpredictable weather and the impressive strength of our competitors - serves as an example for us all.
"The emotions they have given to our tifosi on a great day that brings together past, present and future, is also a reminder of the importance of finding the courage and the humility to always improve."
©Ferrari
"It is a fantastic day today at Le Mans, a historic and epic day in which Ferrari has returned to winning the overall classification of the 24 Hours after 58 years," added Coletta.
"We are really proud because it is 50 years since our last participation and we have come back into the most important class, the Hypercar, in the centenary year of the race: a series of numbers that make us relive the history of this truly legendary race.
"More than 350,000 people were here to see the 61 cars, with the most important marques in the world and that is also why we are very proud to have won the top class.
"Among other things, with Italian drivers, who allowed us to take pole and the win today with two out of three of the crew from our own country. So, Ferrari has proudly put us back on the top step of the podium."
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