Ye Yifei's Triumph at Le Mans Ushers in a New Era for Chinese Motorsport and Ferrari

Ye Yifei made history by becoming the first Chinese driver to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He achieved this victory in the 2025 event, racing alongside his AF Corse Ferrari teammates, Pole Robert Kubica and Briton Phil Hanson.

The win was a particularly special birthday gift for Ye, who turned 25 shortly after the race. He etched his name into motorsports history at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, located over 8,000 kilometers from his hometown. This victory also marked Ferrari's third consecutive overall win at Le Mans.

Ferrari's chairman, John Elkann, emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving this success. The team's triumph was a moment of celebration for Ferrari and a historic achievement for Ye.

Ye expressed his excitement about winning Le Mans with Ferrari, highlighting the team's fantastic performance. He also mentioned how they overcame the disappointment of the previous year, where they led for a significant portion of the race but were forced to retire due to a technical issue.

The No. 83 Ferrari team, with Ye and his teammates, demonstrated both resilience and brilliance throughout the race. Despite starting in 13th place due to a qualifying session issue, Ye quickly made his mark. He executed daring overtakes and set the pace for the team's eventual victory.

As dawn broke, the No. 83 Ferrari had not only climbed through the ranks but was also defending its lead against strong competitors. In the final hours, the team held firm, securing a comeback victory built on precise execution. Ferrari's strength was further reflected in the podium finish of its No. 51 car and a close fourth for No. 50.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans, a cornerstone of the motorsport calendar, tests drivers' endurance, team strategy, and vehicle reliability. Ye's victory brings fresh momentum to Chinese motor sports and showcases the competitive strength of Chinese drivers on the world stage.

Lei Jun, CEO and chairman of Xiaomi, celebrated Ye's victory, calling it a pinnacle moment for Chinese motorsport.

Ye's journey to this historic moment began in karting in 2010. He quickly progressed, winning the French F4 Championship in 2016, becoming the first Chinese driver to win a single-seater championship in Europe. He made his endurance racing debut in 2021, winning the Asian Le Mans Series title.

In 2024, Ye achieved his dream of becoming an official factory driver for Ferrari. His connection to the Prancing Horse began with watching Ferrari legends in F1. As a young karting talent, he visited Ferrari's headquarters.

Ye hopes his new role inspires young drivers, encouraging them to grow, learn, and showcase the strength of Chinese and Asian drivers on the world stage. He has now achieved this goal.