The 89th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has a packed schedule lined up.

On Friday 13 August, the pre-race scrutineering procedures will be conducted at the circuit. These checks will be valid both for the Test Day on the Sunday before the race and for the 24 hours of Le Mans itself. 

The practice and qualifying sessions have also been revised in response to competitor requirements. The first practice session will be at 14:00 on Wednesday 18 August with the Hyperpole session on the Thursday evening between 21:00 and 21:30. In this spectacular qualifying session, 24 cars set out to secure the best place on the grid, racing into the sunset with the 13.626-kilometre circuit on which to deploy their full speed.   

Racing fans will also be treated to an outstanding, diverse programme spanning several days. In addition to the usual curtain-raisers Road to Le Mans (2 races) and the Porsche Sprint Challenge France (1 race), two Endurance Racing Legends races will feature Le Mans cars of the nineties and noughties. On Friday 20 August, the five-hour Fun Cup provides the opportunity for amateur drivers to test their endurance skills on the full Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.

The highlight of the event is, of course, the 24 Hours of Le Mans which starts at 16:00 on Saturday 21 August. 

To allow for this remarkable programme, for the first time, the full circuit – which comprises public roads – will be closed off from 08:00 on Wednesday 18 August until the evening of Sunday 21 August. The new procedure has the backing of local authorities and communities who are conscious that the event contributes greatly to the local and regional economy. Access to the shops and services of the Cormier business park will still be possible on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

In the current climate, the ACO is setting out to host a safe event, with all necessary precautions in place to produce top-notch racing. More details on the schedule, ticketing and spectator access will be released in May.