In the recent Le Mans race, there was a collision between the #83 Ferrari and the #15 BMW. AF Corse driver Robert Kubica attempted to overtake Dries Vanthoor but ended up hitting the BMW, causing it to crash into the barriers. This incident led to the retirement of the BMW on the spot, with severe damage to the front of the car.
The stewards conducted an investigation and determined that Kubica was at fault for the collision. As a result, the #83 Ferrari received a 30-second stop/go penalty, dropping it from the lead position in the race. The penalty was served in the pitlane, allowing the #8 Toyota GR010 HYBRID to move to the front.
Following the penalty, the factory #50 Ferrari became the new lead car on track. The collision not only affected the Ferrari but also hindered the BMW’s chances of a strong finish in its return to the top class at Le Mans after 25 years.
The #15 BMW had already faced challenges earlier in the race when Marco Wittmann crashed in the opening hour, forcing an unscheduled pit stop. Additionally, the #20 entry experienced its own drama when Robin Frijns damaged the car after hitting a kerb at the Ford Chicane in Hour 3.
Despite Frijns managing to bring the car back to the pits, it remained in the garage for repairs. The series of events during the race showcased the unpredictable nature of endurance racing and the impact of split-second decisions on the outcome of the race. The incident served as a reminder of the intense competition and high stakes involved in motorsports, where one misstep can change the course of a race.