This year, many Asian drivers are participating in the 90th anniversary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And they are likely to be among the favourites, both for overall victory and in the various classes.

Three Japanese drivers are among the favourites (Kazuki Nakajima in LM P1, Shinji Nakano LM P2, Kamui Kobayashi in LM GTE Pro), and other competitors from China and Thailand. Drivers, teams and manufacturers will all be at the heart of many challenges of the 81st 24 hours.

- Can Toyota dislodge Audi from the top step of the podium?

- Kazuki Nakajima (Toyota TS030 Hybrid No.7) Will he be the third Japanese driver to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans after Masanori Sekiya (1995) and Seiji Ara (2004)?

- After being on the podium in the LM P2 category in 2008, Cong Fu Cheng (Lola-Toyota # 12 Rebellion Racing) he will do the same overall this year?

-Winner in LM P2 with the Greaves Motorsport Zytek in 2011 and beaten last year by Honda, can Nissan, the dominant engine of the class, take victory?

- First Thai driver to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012, Tor Graves (No. 23 Oreca Nissan, Delta-ADR) and team mate of Nakano. Can they emerge as winners in the great battle of the LM P2 prototypes?

- Unlucky-last year, the Japanese driver Keiko Ihara (Nissan Lola No. 28 Gulf Racing Middle East) will she finish this time?

- First-Chinese team on the grid (Morgan Nissan No. 47), KCMG. Will they finish in their first participation?

- For his first Le Mans as a factory driver for the Prancing Horse, Kamui Kobayashi (Ferrari 458 Italia No.71 AF Corse). Can he will win LM GTE Pro?

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO

Photo : SILVERSTONE (UK), 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE, 14 AVRIL 2013. First Asian factory driver for Ferrari, Japanese Kamui Kobayashi is looking for victory in LM GTE Pro with two experts in the discipline : Olivier Beretta and Toni Vilander.