Valentino Rossi Tops LMGT3 as Ferrari Powers 6-Hour Le Mans

MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi is making headlines at the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours. Driving the #46 BMW for Team WRT, Rossi showcased strong pace to move into the lead of the LMGT3 class as the race hit the six-hour mark.

After an intense sequence of pit stops, Rossi managed to jump ahead of the #92 Manthey car before handing over to Kevin van der Linde. This marks Rossi’s second attempt at Le Mans following his debut in 2024, where he was forced to retire early.

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Ferrari is delivering a dominant performance in the Hypercar division at the Circuit de la Sarthe. After six hours of racing, Ferrari holds the top three spots overall.

The #50 Ferrari, driven by Miguel Molina, set the pace out front, with the #51 car trailing by just 4.7 seconds thanks to Alessandro Pier Guidi. The #83 Ferrari rounds out the top three, continuing a strong opening stint for the manufacturer.

Close behind in fourth is the #6 Porsche Penske crew with Matt Campbell at the wheel, 30 seconds off the lead. Former Formula 1 drivers are adding extra excitement to this year’s contest.

Jenson Button is currently behind the wheel of the #38 Cadillac, which sits two positions ahead of Mick Schumacher’s #36 Alpine entry. Both teams face a challenging battle as night falls at Le Mans.

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The #48 VDS Panis Racing car remains in firm control of the LMP2 class at this stage. It provides a solid platform for the team as they move further into the race.

Looking at the standings in the LMGT3 class, Rossi, van der Linde, and Ahmad Al Harthy are at the front in the #46 WRT BMW. The #92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche, piloted by Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz, and Riccardo Pera, trails in second.

The #78 Akkodis ASP Team Mercedes holds third position with Adam Robin, Fabian Gerhsitz, and Jack Hawksworth sharing driving duties. As the clock approached midnight at the Circuit de la Sarthe, just under 100 laps had been completed.

Ferrari’s impressive one-two-three in the top class puts the team in a strong position. The race continues to unfold with more than three-quarters of the distance still to go.

Meanwhile, fans and teams alike are watching to see if Rossi’s WRT BMW can maintain control of LMGT3 following his quick stint. The coming hours are expected to provide even more action as teams prepare for driver changes and the demands of night racing begin to take hold.

With key battles forming in each class and a number of big names involved, the field remains closely contested across all categories. RacingNews365 will deliver updates at the midpoint as the 24-hour challenge pushes drivers and teams to their limits.

The excitement surrounding the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours continues to build as dramatic twists and strategic moves play out through the night. The storylines from Ferrari and Rossi’s camp are keeping fans engaged as the race heads deeper toward the dawn.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.