There is nothing in motorsport quite like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. More than one hundred years since the first running, the race retains an almost mythological status in global sport. Cars that started in the afternoon sunshine of a Saturday are still racing when dawn breaks on Sunday. The Circuit de la Sarthe, with its mix of narrow forest roads and the legendary Mulsanne Straight (now divided by chicanes), is unlike anything on the modern racing calendar.
The History
Le Mans began in 1923 as a test of automotive endurance rather than outright speed. The early races were as much about reliability as performance - manufacturers were proving their cars could be driven hard for extraordinary distances. Brands like Bugatti, Bentley, and Alfa Romeo defined the early era.
The race grew through the 1950s and 1960s into a battle between manufacturers - Ferrari versus Aston Martin, then Ferrari versus Ford, the legendary Ford GT40 programme winning four consecutive victories from 1966 to 1969. Porsche’s extraordinary record at Le Mans - more than 100 wins across all classes - remains the benchmark of manufacturer achievement.
The Circuit
The Circuit de la Sarthe uses a combination of closed public roads and a permanent circuit section. The full lap measures 13.626 kilometres. Fastest Hypercar cars complete the lap in just under three minutes and thirty seconds.
Key corners include the Dunlop Chicane, Tertre Rouge, the Ford Chicanes, Mulsanne Corner, Indianapolis, Arnage, and the iconic Porsche Curves. The pit lane and start/finish straight run through the permanent circuit, while the long back section uses Route Nationale 138 and local roads temporarily closed for the race.
The Classes
Hypercar: The top class, featuring purpose-built prototype racing cars from Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Lamborghini, Cadillac, Alpine, and Peugeot. These are the fastest, most technologically sophisticated racing cars competing today.
LMGT3: The new production-based class, replacing the old GTE-Am category. Cars based on the global GT3 regulations, producing more accessible racing and a wider field of privateer teams.
What Makes Le Mans Special
It is the duration. Twenty-four hours is long enough for almost anything to happen. Championship-leading cars are eliminated by mechanical failures or accidents. Teams running outside the top ten at midnight win the race at noon the following day. Strategy, driver management, team communication, and sheer endurance all matter as much as outright pace.
The night section, roughly from 10pm to 5am, is unlike anything in motor racing. Headlights sweep through the forest roads. The crowd thins but never disappears. The fastest cars are lapping slower traffic while managing fuel loads and tyre degradation in the dark.
How to Watch
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is broadcast on Eurosport and Discovery+ across Europe. Motor Trend Network covers it in the United States. The race is also available via the WEC+ streaming platform globally. The Racing Line app has full broadcast details for every region.
2025 Predictions
This is the year the Hypercar class finally shows what it is capable of without a dominant manufacturer. Ferrari, Porsche, and Toyota all have the cars, drivers, and experience to win outright. Our prediction: a Ferrari and Porsche fight for victory in the final six hours, with Toyota taking third after an unscheduled stop costs them a shot at the lead.
Whatever happens, it will be one of the most memorable Le Mans races in years. Set your alarm.
