At 4 p.m. on 15 June, the grandstands will be packed for the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, round 4 of the FIA World Endurance Championship. We have already announced the live music line-up. Today we reveal the field!
The full-house signs apply not only to the grandstands, but to the pit lane too as there are 62 cars on the grid again this year. The field comprises 23 Hypercars, 16 LMP2 prototypes, and 23 LMGT3s. Seven teams make up the reserve list. Although the list of 186 drivers is yet to be completed, 12 of them have already won the race outright, and three are women.
Hypercar
The top class is composed of nine different makes: Ferrari, Toyota, Cadillac, Peugeot, Porsche, Lamborghini, Alpine, BMW and Isotta Fraschini. Having triumphed for the tenth time at Le Mans last June, Ferrari stand ready to fend off more competition this year. Firstly, from Toyota, who will be looking to regain their winner status, while Cadillac, Porsche and Peugeot seek to cash in on their recent experience. Alpine and Lamborghini are aiming high with the A424 and the SC63 while newcomers Isotta Fraschini will be out to set the cat among the pigeons.
LMP2
In LMP2, 16 prototypes line up this year, including six with crews combining professional and amateur drivers. The high-class field is wide open. European Le Mans Series or Asian Le Mans Series experience may swing the balance as none of the competitors are racing in the FIA WEC this year.
LMGT3
This season sees the switch to LMGT3 from LMGTE with a bumper field of 23 to kick off the new class. Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren and Porsche make up the grid. All-female team Iron Dames are among the favourites following their excellent performance last season, which included a victory at the 8 Hours of Bahrain. Watch out for racing icon Valentino Rossi in the Team WRT BMW M4 GT3.
ENTRY LIST
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans has rarely seen a grid like this in over a hundred years. The world’s greatest carmakers will be in La Sarthe this June. I am grateful to our partners and teams for coming together to bring us another superb episode of motorsport history.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most iconic events in the history of motor sport and the traditional focal point of the FIA World Endurance Championship season. Last year, I had the pleasure of witnessing this fantastic race on the occasion of its centenary and I’m very much looking forward to this year’s edition, as we celebrate 120 years of the FIA. The entry list looks incredibly strong, with 23 Hypercars from 9 different manufacturers headlining the 62-car field and 23 LMGT3s promising an ultra-competitive battle in the GT ranks. Endurance racing is in a healthy state today and this entry list proves that the right regulatory approach will result in strong interest and competition.”
Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President, said: “The announcement of the entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is always a very special moment and this is very much the case this year. The entry is incredibly rich both in terms of numbers and quality. The figures in Hypercar and LMGT3 classes are simply staggering. I would argue that this is perhaps the strongest entry ever when it comes to competition for both the overall victory as well as for the honors among the GT cars. Having a strong LMP2 representation joining the fray will also give the fans something extra to follow and get excited about. We are set for another memorable edition, there is no question about that.”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management: “This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, round four of FIA WEC, will be nothing short of spectacular. With 14 manufacturers competing in the WEC this season plus the extra entries competing at Le Mans, everything is in place for a golden era in endurance racing. Following on from the memorable Centenary celebration last year, I am confident that Le Mans will be one of the most exciting races of the 2024 motorsport season.”
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