Ferrari Defends Missing Bolts on Disqualified Le Mans Racer, Ensures No Safety Risk

Ferrari has responded to the disqualification of its #50 499P Hypercar from fourth place at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team stated that missing bolts on the car’s rear wing did not put anyone at risk or offer any unfair advantage.

The stewards excluded the car after finding four bolts missing from the rear wing during post-race checks. They claimed this violated technical regulations and potentially made the car unsafe, but Ferrari maintains the absence of these bolts did not affect safety.

According to Ferrari’s official statement, the rear wing’s design allowed it to remain secure and stable even if one or more bolts were missing. The Scuderia said, “Given the design of the element, the absence of one or more of these components did not compromise the car’s safety in any way.”

Stewards reported that the #50 car’s rear wing showed a deflection of 52mm, far exceeding the 15mm limit set by the rules. This suggested the wing became too flexible without the bolts.

They also noted the car reached its highest speed on lap 380, close to the race’s end, implying it may have run with less drag. Ferrari, however, argued that the higher top speed was unrelated to the missing bolts.

They pointed out the speed was measured during the final seven laps, with the #50 car running in the slipstream of the sister #51 Ferrari. Ferrari added that the loss of the bolts happened in the last 37 minutes of the race and did not affect performance or final standings.

“The subsequent loss of the remaining bolts during the final 37 minutes of the race provided no advantage in terms of performance or the final standings,” Ferrari’s statement said.

The #50 Ferrari AF Corse car, driven by Antonio Fuoco, Nicklas Nielsen, and Miguel Molina, crossed the line in fourth before being excluded from the results. The team expressed they did not believe any competitive edge was gained, nor was safety compromised for drivers or others.

Despite the disqualification, Ferrari expressed full confidence in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s regulations. They avoided directly criticizing the stewards’ decision.

This incident follows a tense finish at the 2025 Le Mans, where multiple teams pushed technical limits. The focus on the #50 car’s rear wing highlights how technical compliance is closely monitored, especially in endurance racing’s top class.

The disqualification reshuffled the final order and emphasized the importance of meticulous checks on every part of the car. Ferrari’s quick public response shows their determination to defend their team’s work and the integrity of their car.

The Scuderia has not announced any plans to protest the disqualification further. For now, the official results stand as the team prepares for the next round of the World Endurance Championship.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.