Hypercar reaches new heights
The premium class of endurance has attracted a bumper field of 23 cars entered by nine different manufacturers: Ferrari, Alpine, BMW, Isotta Fraschini, Peugeot, Lamborghini, Cadillac, Toyota and Porsche. The drivers list features some of the most experienced racers in the business with a glittering array of achievements to their name. They include four-time Le Mans winner Sébastien Buemi, three-time winner André Lotterer, and Kévin Estre, winner of the FIA WEC championship title and the LMGTE Pro class at the French endurance classic. All the makings of a historic battle!
LMGT3 enters the fray
While the spotlight will be on the Hypercars, the new LMGT3 class is shaping up to be just as exciting. It will also comprise 23 cars built by nine leading manufacturers: Aston Martin, Ford, BMW, Lamborghini, Porsche, Lexus, Corvette, McLaren and, with a brand new model, Ferrari. The mix of LMGT3s and Hypercars promises a level of diversity rarely seen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The LMGT3 driver contingent will feature Le Mans veterans such as Thomas Flohr, set to make his eighth appearance. At the other end of the scale, Kelvin van der Linde will make his first start in the race despite more than a decade of GT experience.
A treat in store in LMP2
The LMP2 class is always hotly contested and the 16 prototypes set for to compete this year will undoubtedly put on a superb show. Former 24 Hours class winners, such as Ben Keating and François Perrodo, will have their work cut out to fend off an armada of hungry young talent led by Louis Delétraz, hoping to go one better after two second places. Meanwhile Fabio Scherer, now with Nielsen Racing, will attempt to double up after his 2023 success. With high-flying teams of the calibre of United Autosports and Inter Europol Competition in the field, fans will undoubtedly be treated to a top-level race.
From Formula One to the 24 Hours
Since the premier single-seater championship was created in 1950, a host of Formula One heroes have taken up the Le Mans challenge and 2024 will be no exception. The 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button will fly the Hypercar flag for Hertz Team Jota and Antonio Giovinazzi, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary race in a Ferrari, will be back to defend his team’s crown. They will be joined by other former Formula One stars who have made the switch to endurance at Le Mans, including Robert Kubica, Nyck de Vries, Romain Grosjean and Mick Schumacher this year.
A pink Lamborghini
The Iron Dames are back with a new line-up and a new car. The outfit has chosen to run a Lamborghini Huracán LMGT3 Evo2 for the 2024 FIA WEC. Rising French star Doriane Pin, who has already raced at Le Mans, will share the wheel with Sarah Bovy and Michelle Gatting. Last November, the Iron Dames won the 8 Hours of Bahrain – a first for an all-female trio of drivers at this level of competition. On 15-16 June, they will be among the favourites to add a new line to their already impressive track record.
A nine-time world champion on the grid
Valentino Rossi, nine-time world motorcycle GP champion, will make his 24 Hours of Le Mans début in LMGT3. Since appearing at the Circuit des 24 Heures in the 2023 Road To Le Mans support race, Rossi has joined forces with Ahmad Al Harthy and Maxime Martin in a BMW M4 LMGT3 for Team WRT. The three men made the podium in the second round of the 2024 FIA WEC, the 6 Hours of Imola. The 24 Hours of Le Mans challenge is on a different scale, but the Italian is no stranger to the spotlight and can count on the support of thousands of fans.