James Mangold’s real-life racing thriller Ford v Ferrari ends on a poignant note, as Ken Miles’ Le Mans debut doesn’t quite go to plan. Ford v Ferrari tells the true story of Ford’s quest to reach the pinnacle of endurance motor racing in the 1960s, with Christian Bale playing driver Ken Miles and Matt Damon playing legendary sports car designer Carroll Shelby. Although the two men initially ʙuтт heads, they soon develop a deep professional respect for one another which blossoms into a meaningful friendship. Mangold balances their personal story with the thrills of a sports narrative, as the men try to compete with Ferrari.

Ford v Ferrari is one of the best racing movies ever, with the intense driving scenes providing many of the highlights. The climactic 24 Hours of Le Mans race is packed with some of the film’s most exciting sequences, but it’s also loaded with meaning. After Ken and Carroll’s long journey as friends and teammates, their 24 hours in the spotlight give them the chance to show the world what they’ve been working on, and it soon becomes clear that their new car can beat the Ferraris. Ultimately, they are forced to accept a bittersweet ending to the race, despite Ken leading the pack for almost the entire day.

Who Wins The 24 Hours Of Le Mans Race?

Ken Loses On A Technicality

Although Ken Miles looks like he’s destined for victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, he decides to allow his Ford teammates to catch up with him so that they can all cross the finish line in unison. In the days before pH๏τo finishes and technology that could measure each car’s position within fractions of an inch, Ken and Carroll both ᴀssumed that the three cars would share the honors in joint-first position. However, their plan is scuppered by a technicality in the rules book, which means that Ken ends up missing out on victory, despite clearly being the race’s fastest driver.

Although the three Ford cars crossed the finish line together, one of Ken’s teammates started from slightly further back on the grid, meaning that he is ultimately declared the winner. The 24 Hours of Le Mans race is a little unusual in that it measures the total amount of distance covered within a certain timeframe, rather than seeing which racer can cover a set distance in the fastest time. Ken may have ended the race alongside his teammates after 24 hours, but his cumulative distance was shorter by a matter of feet, costing him the honor of winning.

Why Did Ken Slow Down?

Ken Initially Seems Reluctant To Let His Teammates Catch Up

From the early stages, it’s clear that Ken Miles isn’t the type of driver who’s willing to fall in line. Carroll protects him to some degree, knowing that his exceptional skills are worth upsetting a few people at Ford, but not everyone is so forgiving. Ford v Ferrari frames Leo Beebe as the main antagonist, even though the senior vice president at the Ford Motor Company wasn’t such a bad guy in real life. In the film, he’s the one who comes up with the idea of having the three Fords crossing the finish line together, reducing Ken’s moment of glory to a publicity shoot for the company.

Ken initially seems reluctant to bend to Leo’s plan – as is Carroll – but the driver relents in the end. His decision to follow team orders for once shows his growth as a character, as he gains a sense of perspective that allows him to see the bigger picture, rather than focusing solely on his determination to win.

Ken is grateful for the opportunity to race at Le Mans, and he understands that his future at Ford could depend on his willingness to play ball with the executives. Of course, it’s possible that Leo’s plan was partly motivated by the fact that it would stop Ken from standing atop the podium at the end of the race, but it’s left open to the audience’s interpretation whether he knew of the technicality or not.

Why Does Carroll Give Peter The Wrench?

Carroll Struggles To Process Ken’s Death

Ford v Ferrari mainly focuses on Ken and Carroll’s work at Ford, but Ken’s family life is an interesting subplot. His relationship with his son is a heartwarming side of the story that makes his victories even sweeter and his death all the more tragic. Peter is there to witness his father’s fatal crash during a test drive of a new car. Months later, Carroll sees Peter once more and hands him a wrench that carries a deep emotional meaning between him and Ken. By giving Peter the wrench, he’s trying to express his grief and concern for the boy in his own way.

Earlier in the story, Ken throws the wrench at Carroll, and it becomes a symbol of their explosive working relationship, as well as their friendship. It says a lot that this symbol is something that’s used to build cars, since this is how the two men connect. They never discuss their feelings for one another, nor do they show much interest in life outside of racing. Still, they understand each other more than most other people, since racing is everything to them. Carroll initially arrives at the Miles home wanting to pay a visit to Ken’s wife, but he confesses to Peter that he wouldn’t be able to find the words to say what he wants to say to her. The wrench is the most meaningful gesture he can offer.

Is Ford V Ferrari’s Ending Accurate To The True Story?

Mangold’s Sports Drama Makes A Few Changes, Mostly For The Better

Ford v Ferrari makes a few changes to the true story – in reality, Ken Miles and the other Ford drivers were well ahead of the Ferrari at Le Mans ’66 – but no historical drama is without its quirks. Overall, Ford v Ferrari should be praised for its relatively faithful storytelling. It captures the famous finale of the race and includes the details of Ken Miles’ tragic death just two months after Le Mans. As with any movie based on a true story, there are some conversations that are purely imagined, although these all strike the right tone and fit in with the heartbreaking ending.

There are some minor changes to the nature of Ken’s death, but they help create a poignant and respectful scene. In reality, Ken Miles was ejected from the car at full speed, and there have been questions over what exactly went wrong. By eliminating this mechanical mystery, Ford v Ferrari can focus more on the emotional fallout of his death. It’s also a nice touch that Ken’s death isn’t shown on screen, and the focus shifts quickly to Carroll and Peter watching on from the side of the track. It’s a dignified end for a racing legend, and Carroll’s voiceover while Ken has his final drive is poetically done.