Centenary dream

This 91st edition, which completes the first century of the existence of the most famous endurance race, will see the return to the class of major hypercars such as Peugeot, Cadillac, Porsche – record holders of victories at Le Mans (19) – but above all Ferrari, after 50 years of her last post.

Pierre Villon, president of the Automobile Club de Loeste (ACO), the race’s organiser, sees the legendary horse team “returning to Le Mans to win as exceptional”. This enthusiasm from the manufacturer is particularly driven by new regulations that now allow the same cars to run in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the American IMSA Championship. Madness will push the limits of the track this weekend, as the ACO expects a record-breaking crowd of nearly 300,000 spectators around the legendary 13.629-kilometre circuit.

Toyota, winning team

The Centenary almost makes you forget that this is the fourth round of the WEC that Toyota has dominated at the moment, thanks to its three victories (Sebring, Portimao and Spa). In recent years, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has often turned into a duel for the summit between two Japanese brand racing cars. Faced with the legitimate favorite of this edition, the competition has increased significantly compared to 2022 as the number of entrants in the Hypercar category has more than tripled, going from five cars to 16.

New Zealander Brendon Hartley, the defending champion with Swiss Sebastien Buemi and Japan’s Ryo Hirakawa at the wheel of a Toyota N, confirms: “If we can reach the top of the podium, it will be even more special to win.” 8. As for the other victorious Toyota, the N.7, in 2021, it will be driven by Briton Mike Conway, Japanese Kamui Kobayashi and Argentine Jose Maria Lopez.

But watch out for the competition! For its return to the highest level of endurance, Ferrari, who are currently second in the championship, would like to hit hard at Le Mans with their two prototypes. “We know Toyotas are strong here, but Ferrari has huge potential,” said Britain’s James Calado, whose 499P N.51 topped the timetable after Sunday’s first tests, ahead of Toyota, in apparent distress.

His Italian teammate, former Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi, replied: “We have to put pressure on them.” “But in a 24-hour race, everyone can fight for victory,” the Italian recalls. “Those who make the fewest mistakes can make the difference.”

LeBron James first

Peugeot, which has returned to the first category after the 2022 edition of “24 Hours”, will present two 9X8s, just like Cadillac, which will launch on Saturday with two models, one of which, the N.3, will be driven by former French Formula 1 driver Sebastien Bourdais, a native of Le Mans. The Cadillac Series V. R N. 311 from the Action Express Racing Team, entered in IMSA, will also be at the start.

Porsche, whose last first-class participation – and last win – dates back to 2017, will try to return to success with one of its three 963 models (plus one in Hertz Gotha colors). Finally, American teams Glickenhaus and Austrian Vanualle will try to beat the odds during this historic two-car and one-car race, respectively.

In all, 62 cars were entered: in addition to the 16 hypercars, 24 will compete in the LMP2 class (more slow, standardized prototypes), and 21 in the LMGTE Am (driven by amateurs linked to professionals). An “innovative” car driven by three drivers, including 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, will also attend.