Ferrari withdrew from the top class of Le Mans, where the historic brand earned much of its honored racing legacy, in 1973, and it created a large absence in the racing world. That absence lasted 50 long years, as it wasn’t until this past weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race that Ferrari returned to the top class with its 499P racing hypercar, which also happened to be the 100th edition of the race, which began in 1923. Ferrari’s return was spectacular in itself, but it was even more of a celebration when the 499P took the overall victory, marking the Prancing Horse’s 10th overall victory and 39th victory on the Le Mans stage.
In order to celebrate the triumphant return to the race, as well as the centenary anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari owners from around the world gathered on the Wednesday before the race at the Alfred Sommmier Hotel in Paris and set off on a Cavalcade in their Ferraris from Place Vendôme. Some of the cars at the event were Daytona SP3s, SF90s, 296 GTBs, 812 Competizione Apertas, and even an F40 from France.
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The group explored Paris and then set off to Reims where Ferrari won its first French Grand Prix, returning to Paris at the end of the day. They then drove south towards Le Mans, stopping at the Place du Châtelet to admire the historic views. After that, the group had lunch at the Domaine de la Groirie and arrived at Le Mans 24 hours before the race began, staying at the special Casa Ferrari at the venue. The cars got to parade the circuit and experience the place where much of Ferrari’s racing history was made, just before yet another historic Ferrari win at Le Mans added another chapter to that exact incredible history.
Sources: Ferrari via Ferrari Magazine
