Le Mans

Le Mans is one of the most legendary and iconic motor races in the world. Officially known as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race is held annually in France and is part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). As the name suggests, Le Mans lasts 24 hours, with teams racing around the semi-permanent Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans for a full day and night.

The first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans took place in 1923. Since then, the race has grown into one of the most prestigious motorsport events worldwide. Over the decades, countless legends have emerged from Le Mans, including Porsche, Audi, Toyota, and renowned drivers such as Tom Kristensen, Jacky Ickx, and Fernando Alonso.

Teams at Le Mans typically consist of three drivers who share one car, taking turns in shifts. Multiple classes compete on track at the same time, including hypercars (the fastest category), LMP2 prototypes, and GT cars. The Circuit de la Sarthe is over 13 kilometers long and partly made up of closed public roads. Teams face challenges such as tire wear, fuel management, night driving, and potential mechanical failures.

Le Mans is more than just a race—it is a test of human and technical limits. Unlike other events where the fastest lap or quickest pit stop can decide the winner, Le Mans is about who completes the most laps after 24 hours. The constant threat of retirement, unpredictable weather, and the chaos of racing through the night make it a unique challenge in motorsport.

Tom Kristensen holds the record with nine Le Mans victories. Other iconic winners include Audi, which dominated the race throughout the 2000s, and Toyota, which has claimed multiple victories in recent years. Formula 1 legends such as Fernando Alonso and Graham Hill have also triumphed at Le Mans. The battles between manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, and Peugeot remain a highlight every year.

While Formula 1 races last around 90 minutes, Le Mans is a 24-hour endurance event that demands teamwork and strategy. In F1, every millisecond counts, but at Le Mans, consistency, reliability, and cooperation between drivers and engineers are equally crucial. Both disciplines push human and technical limits, but Le Mans requires a unique blend of endurance and strategy.

The 2025 edition of Le Mans featured an intense battle between Ferrari, Toyota, and Porsche. After 24 hours of incidents, rain, and strategic pit stops, Ferrari once again crossed the finish line first. The race attracted more than 300,000 spectators and was followed by millions worldwide. The lower classes also delivered plenty of action, with surprise retirements and breakthrough performances from young talents.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2026 will take place on June 13 and 14, 2026, at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. The race is part of the FIA World Endurance Championship and serves as the highlight of the season. Practice sessions, qualifying, and the traditional parade in downtown Le Mans will all take place in the week leading up to the race.