2024 Le Mans preview: timings, how to watch, and more

Which brands are racing at Le Mans in 2024?

Those calling this a golden age of sportscar racing – and it’s probably important to note that people began using that phrase long before the new regulations even really got going, so the hype’s real – might finally be proved right. After a mediocre start through 2021 and ‘22, the new Hypercar era burst into life last year, although with every car other than the Toyota GR010 new, it wasn’t quite the barnstorming season some had cranked it up to be.

But 2024 is the year it all kicks off properly. In the Hypercar class we have Toyota, Porsche, Ferrari, Alpine, Lamborghini, Cadillac, Peugeot, Isotta Fraschini, and BMW. Aston Martin, BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Lexus, and McLaren finish the entry list off in the GT ranks.

What type of cars take part in Le Mans?

A little change for this year. The top class is still the same regulations, with cars built to the ACO’s Le Mans Hypercar regulations and IMSA’s LMDh specs competing together in a single Hypercar class. The second rank is filled with Oreca’s Gibson-engined 07 LMP2 cars, but in the road-based ranks all is new for 2024.

This will not be the first time that GT3 cars race at Le Mans – they have been a key part of the Michelin Le Mans Cup support series which hosts two races every year on the full La Sarthe circuit – but it is the category’s debut in the main race. Last year was the final year of the old LMGTE regulations, replaced by a slightly tweaked version of the globally mega-successful GT3. All cars are run to pro-am regulations with drivers mixed so that the car must run at least one Bronze and an extra Bronze or Silver-rated driver in their team.

How come LMP2 is back?

While the World Endurance Championship waved bye-bye to the lower prototype class, it remains wildly popular around the globe. And, since it is a class designed and run by the ACO, they were hardly likely to allow it to disappear from their flagship event. So, we still have a grid full of Oreca 07s in the middle of the pack at Le Mans, providing some extra challenge for the front running WEC guys who haven’t had to deal with two slower classes so far this year. Perhaps an advantage for those from IMSA, which still runs four classes, including P2.

How has the 2024 season gone so far?

In one word: Porsche. Porsche’s 963 has found its feet in both championships in the biggest possible way in 2024. Two of the three World Endurance Championship rounds so far have been won by 963s – including Jota’s ever-so-slightly controversial win at Spa – and two of the four IMSA rounds, too. So, Porsche leads both championships with a healthy margin. 

In WEC, the field has been all over the place, to put it mildly. With Peugeot challenging at Qatar and then introducing a new car, Toyota clinching a victory out of nowhere at Imola and Ferrari seeing victory disappear after a red flag at Spa. It’s all to play for at Le Mans. 

While the IMSA teams aren’t here to play for points, Cadillac arrives with a victory under its belt, too, thanks to a strong showing at Long Beach. 

Will Ferrari win Le Mans again?

The honest answer is – who knows? We’re in a BoP era now and the field is tighter than ever. The only real signs we’ve had so far are that it would take quite a lot to happen for Alpine, Lamborghini, BMW, Peugeot or Isotta to really challenge. They all have brand new cars for 2024 and are learning the ropes against far more established teams.

Porsche seems to be the heavy favourites on form, but Ferrari was really fast at both Imola (in the dry) and Spa, and can’t be discounted. Toyota might have spent a lot of its year making out it has no chance, but showed at Imola that the GR010 hasn’t suddenly become a no-hoper. 

We would currently say Porsche, but then we would also tell you to never bet on anything, ever. Especially in Hypercar.

How will the LMDh cars fare in 2024?

Better than last year. And we don’t think that’s necessarily because the playing field has become “fairer”, more than a couple of the manufacturers have now been running these cars for two years and are on top of the issues. 

What time does Le Mans start?

The 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours begins at 15:00 UK time (16:00 local time, 10:00 EST) on the 15^th June and runs for (shock) 24 hours before the chequered flag drops at 15:00 (16:00) on 16^th June.

How can I watch Le Mans in 2024?

The simplest way is through the App and the ACO’s streaming service. A pack to watch every track session, with live onboards including the race and replays is £15.49 for just the Le Mans 24 Hours. A season pack for the rest of the WEC season is £42.49.

In the UK, central Europe, and even Australia, Eurosport owns the rights to Le Mans, so if you have that as part of your TV package you can tune in there. You can also watch the whole race without Eurosport’s ads on Discovery+, the streaming service that hosts Eurosport. A package for Discovery+ including its sports coverage is around £20 a month. There are also options to add Discovery+ to your package through Amazon Prime and Sky.

In the US and Canada the race will be streamed on MotorTrendTV.

How does qualifying work at Le Mans?

Qualifying at Le Mans is different to all other sessions of the season. There is a one-hour qualifying session at 18:00 (19:00, 13:00) on the Wednesday before the event – the 12^th June, surrounded by a pair of free practices. The top eight from each class qualify for Hyperpole where they will go head-to-head for pole position.

That Hyperpole session takes place for half an hour only on Thursday 13^th June at 19:00 (20:00, 14:00) and features all 24 qualifiers – eight from each class. Unlike other WEC rounds, where Hyperpole sessions for Hypercar and GT3 are separate to avoid traffic, there is just one chance for the Le Mans teams. 

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.