24h Le Mans
Just days ahead of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13 June, the administrative and technical checks known as Scrutineering have won the hearts of the city. From debut appearances, confident self-promotion and intense public enthusiasm, this opening day offered a glimpse into a race shaping up to be more thrilling than ever!
Le Mans is back! On Friday 5 June at the place de la République, the first of two days of administrative and technical checks known as Scrutineering officially launched race week at the 94th 24 Hours.
Today 39 of 62 competitors took turns submitting to the technical marshals in front of thousands of spectators overjoyed to see the Hypercars, LMP2s and LMGT3s up close. A highlight was the arrival of the rookie Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercars!
The first team on deck today was Inter Europol Competition. The Polish team, last year's LMP2 winner, arrived in Le Mans backed by an impressive track record here. Driver of the #43 ORECA 07-Gibson Kuba Śmiechowski: We are coming off three consecutive podium finishes. This year, we want to win again.
Teammate Tom Dillmann: There is no race greater than the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I think we are still the favourites. Honestly, our car is performing very well here. In the LMP2 class, it comes down to merit. We all have the same package. So, it is up to the teams and drivers to make the difference. You have to be fast throughout the entire race.
Leading the standings in the FIA Endurance Hypercar Manufacturers Championship after a win at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, BMW M Team WRT is heading into the season's main event with confidence. Kevin Magnussen: We are well-prepared for the most important race of the year, one we need to win. Even so, it is impossible to single out a favourite for an event like this. Everyone has a chance. That said, we are definitely full of energy and hope after the race at Spa.
One of the big draws of the 2026 24 Hours is the arrival of the Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercars clad in a spectacular, shimmering orange livery that evokes the magma of Korean volcanoes. Hyundai's luxury model is making its rookie debut at Le Mans with humility. Three-time winner André Lotterer knows better than anyone what awaits the newcomer.
André Lotterer: We know how challenging it is to make a breakthrough in the very first year of competition, especially against teams with so much experience. Our approach is quite simple: to focus on our performance while getting the most out of the car. Our goal is to reach the finish line and, in doing so, build a solid foundation for the future.
Peugeot took its first start in the Le Mans classic 100 years ago. Now the French carmaker returns seeking to turn progress made since the beginning of the season into tangible results. Driver of the #94 Peugeot 9X8 Loïc Duval: We want to optimise our package and achieve the best possible result. Test Day will be crucial. Our cars are designed to perform at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but outside of testing and the race itself, we never get to drive on the circuit.
Teammate Malthe Jakobsen: This progress is a huge source of motivation for the entire team. I believe we have demonstrated real potential. That is possible when the group is united. At the same time, the start of the season has shown that the FIA WEC is a highly competitive championship where nothing comes easily. We need to get all the details right to turn our capabilities into results.
Thanks to the inimitable sound of its naturally aspirated V12, the Aston Martin Valkyrie continues to electrify fans. Following a successful debut in 2025, the British constructor is back with even loftier ambitions. The #007 Aston Martin finished fourth at this year's TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps trailed by two BMWs and a Ferrari. Driver of the #007, Tom Gamble: Last year, the goal was to finish the race, gather as much data as possible and learn. The car is becoming increasingly competitive. We are working tirelessly to improve it. The result at Spa is highly motivating ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are hoping for a podium finish.
Cadillac is one of the most highly anticipated marques this year. Since joining the Hypercar class in 2023, the V-Series.R has carved out a special place in the hearts of fans thanks to its workhorse naturally aspirated V8.
After extensive development efforts completed over the winter months, the American carmaker likes its chances. Driver of the #12 Cadillac Will Stevens: We had a good preparation period. It allowed us to understand the car's evolution. We delivered strong performances in the first two rounds of the season. That gives us confidence. Driver of the #38, Sébastien Bourdais: We hope to be able to fight for something bigger than Hyperpole. Our package should be competitive. I think this will be one of the closest races in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Lastly, Alpine Endurance Team wrapped up the proceedings in the Hypercar class on day 1 of Scrutineering with its two A424s. Although the manufacturer has announced the shuttering of its endurance racing programme at the end of the year, it remains no less ambitious. Team Principal Philippe Sinault: We have never been better prepared. We really understand the car. The team is mature. Since the start of the season, we have taken a step forward in both sporting and technical terms. As a result, we are capable of achieving great things in this 94th running. When you are Alpine and you take part in this race, you have to be determined.
One of two female drivers set to take the start in the 2026 24 Hours, Doriane Pin (age 22) will represent Duqueine Team in LMP2.
The French outfit is currently leading the LMP2 Pro/Am class in the European Le Mans Series after two rounds. Along with Julien Andlauer and Richard Verschoor, the 2025 F1 Academy winner is excited to take her second start in the race. Doriane Pin: I am delighted to be back. I'm here with more endurance racing experience under my belt. The team is putting in a tremendous amount of work to get ready for the race. We have a real shot at a podium finish or even the win in LMP2. We have every reason to believe it’s possible.
GT enthusiasts were in no way disappointed on day 1 of Scrutineering as Ferrari, Corvette, Aston Martin, Ford, and Porsche put on a spectacular parade at the place de la République.
Driver of Vista AF Corse's #21 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 EVO François Hériau: We finished second on the podium last year. Now, we want more. We are going to do everything we can to take the top spot. We are extremely well-prepared. I have been teaming up with Simon Mann and Alessio Rovera for three seasons now and we have developed a natural rapport and really enjoy our time together. Our team spirit will certainly be an asset.
In the LMGT3 class, history is in the making as Ferrari gets ready to face off once again against Ford. The German team Proton Competition has entered two Mustang LMGT3s. At the wheel of the #88 is a former Formula 1 driver (36 starts) gearing up for his rookie 24 Hours. Logan Sargeant: This will be my second 24-hour race, following the Rolex 24 at Daytona I competed in earlier this year. I hope our race goes well. It’s so exciting.
Aren't we all dreaming of another showdown between Ford and Ferrari — similar to the one brilliantly depicted in James Mangold’s film "Le Mans '66" ("Ford v Ferrari") — in the Hypercar class in 2027? Sargeant: We’ve done a lot of groundwork, particularly in the simulator. The car’s first run is coming up soon.
Driver of the #77 Ford, Ben Tuck: The car has evolved significantly over the past three years. It is very difficult to say whether we are favourites or challengers this week. Even after the Test Day, it is hard to establish a pecking order. We won’t truly know the competitive landscape until the first two or three laps of the race. We hope to be in the mix.
Scrutineering will resume tomorrow, Saturday 6 June at 08:30 local time with the inspections of the final 23 entrants. The crowd will lay eyes on the Ferrari AF-Corse and Toyota Racing Hypercars, as well as the LMGT3 cars from Ferrari, Mercedes, Lexus, McLaren, and BMW. All of the action will once again be shown LIVE on the official 24 Hours of Le Mans YouTube channel.
With every car checked, every driver introduced and every photo taken at the place de la République, Le Mans is brought a little closer to its moment of truth. In a few days, when the engines roar on the pit straight for 24 hours of battle, everyone will be able to say: I was there from the very beginning.
In the meantime, check out this stunning photo gallery from day 1 of Scrutineering:
