Overnight Drama and New Winning Faces Define Classic Le Mans Races

Le Mans, 7 June - The storied Circuit de la Sarthe played host to the 2025 Le Mans 5 Hours over the weekend of May 31 – June 1, serving as Round 2 of the World Series and Round 3 of both the Japan and International Series in the ARO Hololive calendar, whiere in this round, all HoloType cars excluding ReGloss, HoloEN Justice and DEV_IS FlowGlow ran the jacket variations of the Color Rise liveries. Under drifting clouds spanning from day to night and back to day, three tightly contested splits produced fresh faces on top step and pivotal championship swings.

In Split A, Daniel Barguer seized a career-defining victory for Hoshimachi Suisei, mastering traffic and tire wear to lead home their first HoloType win. Tawan Bhumin (Fuwawa Abyssgard) delivered a stellar runner-up finish, while Airi Nakamura (Akai Haato) completed the podium in third.

Championship leader Moha­d Shazren Redza (Koseki Bijou) salvaged fourth continuing his consistent form throughout HoloType, but his nearest title rival Ryan Kagawa (Nerissa Ravencroft) could only manage sixth after a late pit gamble misfired with a miscalculation of fuel after halfway which forced him to make an extra pit stop.

Notably, Lexi Boan (Shirogane Noel) and Ahmed El-Ashour (Kaela Kovalskia) cracked the top 12, while Mohamed Kh­ashiu (Tsunomaki Watame) and Rustim Kurashio (La+ Darknesss) scored crucial points for Japan Series contenders.

Sven Jensen and Nichi Michan tangled on Lap 4, with Jensen worse off with a DNF, polesitter Dawn Elys crashed with Hinochi Taiyo on Lap 3, while Chaka Labradores and Jeff Rohan crashed on Lap 1, all crashed at the Dunlop chicane.

Ed Skye (Kazama Iroha) stunned the field with a lights-to-flag triumph in Split B, capitalizing on a red flag triggered by host fatigue after just 14 laps. A six-hour hiatus tested teams’ resolve, but Skye returned to control the restart and take 200 championship points.

Joshua Azurid (Mori Calliope) fended off Corey-Rico Mendez (Takanashi Kiara) for second after the KFP driver made a rapid final stop while Lorenzo Ricci (Houshou Marine) rescued fourth on home turf, while Lia Kai (Hakos Baelz) held solid for fifth.

On Lap 1, Pioneer Krzysztof Salmonman was another victim of the tangle at Dunlop, resulting in a Lap 1 DNF and unable to take the restart, while Aziz Muazif crashed at the same place right after the restart on Lap 15.

Alticer Antanarau (Nekomata Okayu) led a stunning finish for the Onigirya, clocking a 11-second margin over debutant Sammy Ake (Shirakami Fubuki). Mono Zettarou (Ouro Kronii) claimed third, while Allie Jay (Kikirara Vivi) and Isekaijin Mikolev (Sakura Miko) rounded out the top five for the World Series.

Antanarau’s victory vaults him to second in Split C standings, just 18 points behind Series leader Mono Zettarou. Meanwhile, Ake’s entry heralds a new chapter for Fubuki, replacing departing veteran Zeke Wimberley from this weekend.

Antanarau's teammate Ozne Wizard for Inugami Korone meanwhile was beset with car issues which forced him to miss qualifying, and his suspensions failed after the start, in what was a forgettable weekend. Angela Sims meanwhile tried a bold move at the du Raccordement chicane down the inside but misjudged the move and collided with another car, resulting in suspension damage and a DNF.

For the championship situation, in World Split A, Moh­d Shazren Redza’s drive to fourth at Le Mans extended his points lead, but only just. Shazren Redza now sits on 280 points, 23 clear of Daniel Barguer (257 pts), whose stunning win has vaulted him into genuine title contention. Shiori Novella's Haziq Yazid (244 pts) rounds out the top three and holds a healthy cushion over Lexi Boan (198 pts) in fourth. With only one round remaining—and a maximum of 200 points still on offer—Shazren Redza cannot afford another misstep, while Barguer’s momentum makes him the man to watch.

Lia Kai’s decent run of 5th keeps Hakos Baelz at the World Split B summit with 308 points, a slender 43-point advantage over Joshua Azurid (265 pts). Ed Skye (232 pts) also surged with his Le Mans Split B victory, leapfrogging Tyler Williams (207 pts) and Lorenzo Ricci (152 pts). Kai’s consistency gives her the edge—but Azurid’s late charge means the title fight will go down to the wire.

Split C however sees Mono Zettarou retain the points lead (222 pts) thanks to a steady run of Top 3 finishes, but Alticer Antanarau (204 pts) and Callum Gibbens (200 pts) are breathing down his neck after their wins. Newcomer Sammy Ake and veteran Vladislav Domaschnev (175 pts) complete the top five, with both having shown they can challenge at the front. Zettarou’s early advantage is slender enough that a single off-day could shuffle the order.

In Japan Split A, Alticer Antanarau’s commanding 404 points give him a cushion to qualify into the World Tsuyo Series, while Callum Gibbens (375 pts) and Daniel Barguer (258 pts) battle for the runner-up spot.

Japan Split B is equally decisive: Jake Martinez leads with 247 points, trailed closely by Ho Phu-My (240 pts) and Maverick Deuxieme (234 pts).

In the International standings, Mohd Shazren Redza (388 pts) and Dan Evans (350 pts) set the early pace, yet Haziq Yazid’s 316 points keep him well in contention. and Mono Zettarou (236 pts) have also demonstrated race-winning potential, while Joshua Azurid’s second-place in Split B (265 pts) confirms he’s a genuine contender across both World and International campaigns. Meanwhile Grave Prower (260 pts) and Mathias Zacarias (1 point) bow out of HoloType with Gawr Gura and Nanashi Mumei's graduations.

With only a handful of races remaining before the end of qualifiers, every pit-stop gamble, tire choice, and on-track pass will carry championship-defining weight. The next stop at Motegi in World, SUGO in JP and Buriram in INT promises to be a crucible for those hunting for HoloType glory.