Manor has announced a change in its driver line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Matt Rao is to replace James Jakes at the wheel of the Nissan-powered Oreca 05.

24H Le Mans

24 Heures du Mans

The 94th running of the French 24-hour marathon will be the third race of the eight that constitute the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship. Major manufacturers Aston Martin, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot and Toyota are aligning Hypercars in what promises to be an epic battle.

<h2>What is a Hypercar?</h2>

<p>In 2021, Hypercar became the top class in endurance and the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two types of car compete in the class: the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and the Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh).&nbsp;</p>

<p>LMH and LMDh cars compete against each other in the FIA WEC and in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and can therefore enter the 24-hour races at Le Mans and Daytona.</p>

<p><strong>The two types&nbsp;</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>LMH&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><br />
	These regulations leave scope for a wide variety of architectures and allow a front-axle hybrid system to be fitted.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>LMDh&nbsp;</strong><br />
	In LMDh, the backbone of the car &ndash; i.e. the whole car minus the internal combustion engine, the body and the hybrid system &ndash; will be supplied by one of four chassis manufacturers: Dallara, Multimatic, Ligier and Oreca.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>Hypercars are hybrid or non-hybrid closed cockpit prototypes, shod with Michelin tyres. All three drivers are professionals. Their minimum weight is 1,030 kg and maximum power is 500 kW (680 hp). The Balance of Performance system guarantees a level playing field. They complete a lap of the 13.626-km Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans in 3.5 minutes.</p>

<h2>Aston Martin THOR Team</h2>

<p>#007:&nbsp;Harry Tincknell / Tom Gamble / Ross Gunn&nbsp;<br />
#009:&nbsp;Alex Riberas / Marco S&oslash;rensen / Roman De Angelis&nbsp;</p>

<p>Aston Martin is embarking on its second Hypercar season with the Valkyrie, initially designed as a road car. Returning to the highest level of endurance racing after a 14-year hiatus, the British make used the first year back as a learning exercise. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans the British Hypercars finished in 12th and 14th place. Driven by a V12 engine and spurred on by Aston Martin&rsquo;s loyal fans, the Valkyrie has laid the foundations of an ambitious campaign. At the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Aston Martin THOR Team recorded its best FIA WEC result so far with a fourth place for the #007.<br />
Aston Martin THOR Team currently stands in fourth spot in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>Alpine Endurance Racing</h2>

<p>#35: Ant&oacute;nio F&eacute;lix da Costa / Charles Milesi / Ferdinand Habsburg<br />
#36: Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Makowiecki / Jules Gounon / Victor Martins</p>

<p>Thanks to its first win, the 6 Hours of Fuji (the 100th FIA WEC race), and constant progress throughout the year, Alpine Endurance Team ended 2025 on a promising note. With a logo shaped like an arrow, Alpine is aiming to hit the bull&rsquo;s eye more often in 2026. The arrival of Ant&oacute;nio F&eacute;lix da Costa and Victor Martins buoys confidence, as do the A424&rsquo;s latest developments. Despite a frustrating TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, French manufacturer left Belgium with boosted confidence for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.<br />
Alpine Endurance Racing is currently standing fifth in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>BMW M Team WRT</h2>

<p>#15:&nbsp;Kevin Magnussen / Raffaele&nbsp;Marciello&nbsp;/ Dries Vanthoor&nbsp;<br />
#20:&nbsp;Robin&nbsp;Frijns&nbsp;/&nbsp;Ren&eacute; Rast /&nbsp;Sheldon Van Der Linde</p>

<p>Despite no wins, the BMW M Hybrid V8 made steady progress last season. After some promising podium places, and a frustrating Le Mans, the Bavarian team was counting on its new aerodynamics package to clinch that elusive first place. It worked. The TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps saw a one-two sweep for the BMW M Hybrid V8s, the #20 in first place, followed by the #15. Can BMW M Team WRT do the same at Le Mans? The German manufacturer has its sights on a second 24 Hours of Le Mans win. The first was in 1999.<br />
BMW M Team WRT is currently in first place in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA</h2>

<p>#12: Louis Del&eacute;traz / Will Stevens / Norman Nato<br />
#38: S&eacute;bastien Bourdais / Earl Bamber / Jack Aitken</p>

<p>Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA&rsquo;s 2025 FIA WEC season reaped Hyperpole at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and victory at the Rolex 6 Hours of S&atilde;o Paulo. This year the Cadillac V-Series.R is back primed for performance, and hungry for success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.&nbsp;The car has a new aero set-up thanks to a reshaped rear wing profile and the removal of the front winglets. These updates are intended to boost the peak speed of the American Hypercar.<br />
Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA is currently standing seventh in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>Cadillac WTR</h2>

<p>#101: Ricky Taylor / Jordan Taylor / Filipe Albuquerque</p>

<p>Wayne Taylor Racing&rsquo;s 24 Hours of Le Mans d&eacute;but last year ended in disappointment. The American team was forced to retire. This year, they no doubt come to Le Mans with a desire for revenge and to shine alongside the other Cadillac V-Series fielded by Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA. Cadillac equals Ferrari in the number of cars fielded in the Hypercar class.<br />
The team is an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (North America) competitor.</p>

<h2>Ferrari-AF Corse</h2>

<p>#50: Antonio Fuoco / Nicklas Nielsen / Miguel Molina<br />
#51: Alessandro Pier Guidi / James Calado / Antonio Giovinazzi</p>

<p>In 2025, Ferrari-AF Corse won the FIA World Endurance Championship and claimed a third consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans victory thanks to the AF Corse #83 499P. This year, the prancing horse is back, poised to merit another chapter in the race annals. No notable changes have been made to the Ferrari 499P and the only joker used dates back to the Rolex 6 Hours of S&atilde;o Paulo in July 2024. However, Ferrari pored over the data during the winter break, analysing the correlation between simulator and track to adjust both car and procedures.</p>

<p>Ferrari AF Corse lies in third place in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>AF Corse</h2>

<p>#83: Robert Kubica / Yifei&nbsp;Ye&nbsp;/ Philip Hanson&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year the 499P (FIA WEC Hypercar competitor) won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, handing Ferrari a third win in a row. With the same car, and the same driver line-up, a repeat performance cannot be excluded.</p>

<h2>Genesis Magma Racing</h2>

<p>#17: Andr&eacute; Lotterer / Luis Felipe Derani / Mathys Jaubert<br />
#19: Mathieu Jaminet / Paul-Loup Chatin / Daniel Juncadella</p>

<p>The Genesis entry is the big news ahead of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans.&nbsp;The South Korean make relied on Oreca&rsquo;s expertise to build the chassis and the twin-turbo V8 engine that propels its WRC rally cars.&nbsp;It has entrusted three-time Le Mans winner Andr&eacute; Lotterer with driving duties. &nbsp;Genesis Magma Racing is aiming to reach the chequered flag with both GMR-001-Hypercars this year. The team scored its first FIA World Endurance Championship points at the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Genesis Magma Racing is currently in eighth place in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>Peugeot TotalEnergies</h2>

<p>#93: Paul Di Resta / Stoffel Vandoorne / Nick Cassidy<br />
#94: Lo&iuml;c Duval / Malthe Jakobsen / Th&eacute;o Pourchaire</p>

<p>Last season was a mixed bag for Peugeot, full of encouraging signs, but disappointing results and many lessons learned. The 9X8 has come on, the team has restructured and the goal is more clearly defined: to make the Lion emblem the king of the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.<br />
Peugeot TotalEnergies stands in sixth position in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship.</p>

<h2>Toyota Racing</h2>

<p>#7: Mike Conway / Kamui Kobayashi / Nyck de Vries<br />
#8: S&eacute;bastien Buemi / Brendon Hartley / Ryo Hirakawa</p>

<p>Determined as ever, Toyota Racing is fielding the TR010 Hybrid this year. The car is an upgrade of the GR010 Hybrid intoduced in 2021 and reworked in 2022. The Japanese Hypercar won the 6 Hours of Imola, round 1 of the season.&nbsp;A first step on the way to triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WEC.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Toyota Gazoo Racing currently stands in second place in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers&rsquo; Championship</p>

<p>Check out the <a href="https://assets.lemans.org/explorer/pdf/courses/2026/24-heures-du-mans/uf52uwz03c9qp54byxkb.pdf" target="_blank"><u><strong>entry list</strong></u></a> for the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

24 Hours of Le Mans – The 2026 Hypercar class preview

Team Peugeot TotalEnergies hopes to see its progress bear fruit at the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (10-14 June 2026). The Imola and Spa-Francorchamps rounds provided valuable experience and the Peugeot 9X8 comes to Le Mans with the firm intention of moving up a gear in the increasingly competitive Hypercar field.

<p>This year, the French manufacturer is looking for more than one-off performance, the lion is chasing continuity. The carmaker boasts a commitment that spans a whole century, beginning in 1926. That year, two Peugeot 174Ss were entered for the Grand Prix Endurance de 24 Heures which we know today as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This year, the team fields the <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/fr/actualites/peugeot-revisite-la-livree-de-sa-9x8-hypercar-60350" target="_blank"><u><strong>Peugeot 9X8</strong></u></a><u><strong>&nbsp;Hypercar.</strong></u></p>

<h2>Striking progress</h2>

<p>Some tales don&rsquo;t end, they just change shape. The story of Peugeot at Le Mans, for example. Over the course of a hundred years, Peugeot totals<strong> 44 race starts and three major victories</strong> (1992, 1993 and 2009). Competition in the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans Hypercar class is as cut-throat as the African savannah, with 18 beasts ready to pounce at the slightest sign of weakness.</p>

<p>The Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar is constantly evolving, already honed by four seasons&rsquo; experience. The obsession for detail is paying off and its progress is striking. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, pure speed is never enough. This race needs to be approached like a living thing, with all its fluctuations and extremes. In the face of such complexity, working as a team is the only way to thrive.</p>

<h2>Meticulous preparation</h2>

<p>For the competitors involved, the 24 Hours of Le Mans begins long before mid-June. Preparations for the race begin months earlier, in the shape of simulators, workshops, technical meetings, and silent reflections when engineers imagine all possible scenarios.</p>

<p>For Emmanuel Esnault, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies Team Principal, readiness takes time: <em><strong>&ldquo;The preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is rigorous and spans several months. It is based on collective work covering technical preparation of the cars, logistics organization, team coordination and human preparation. Despite Peugeot&rsquo;s extensive endurance experience, Le Mans remains a unique and unforgiving race that requires great humility. Nothing can ever be taken for granted. This is why we approach this event with the best possible preparation, anticipating every scenario while remaining able to adapt to the unpredictable &mdash; which is also part of the DNA of this race.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p>No room for sentimentality. Only method. And the acceptance that Le Mans cannot be controlled, only mastered in part.</p>

<p>This year, all the signs are encouraging. The progress observed since the end of last season, confirmed at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, indicates that the project is picking up pace. The car is more stable, the team more coherent, and the overall execution much neater. Nothing revolutionary. Just <strong>gradual improvement</strong>. Team members seem to agree that <strong>leading the pack is not a vague dream</strong>, but a clear objective.</p>

<h2>The 24 Hours of Le Mans: the supreme test&nbsp;</h2>

<p>To Paul Di Resta, driver of the #93 Peugeot 9X8, there is something special about this year&rsquo;s Le Mans. It&rsquo;s not just a race.</p>

<p><em><strong>&quot;This is the most important race of the year and a huge challenge for the entire Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, especially this year with Peugeot&rsquo;s centenary at Le Mans. I am proud to be part of the sporting history of this brand. The competition will be very tough as the level is extremely high, but I believe we are better prepared than in previous years. We have worked well on the simulator, the car is reliable, and the team is ready to take on this challenge.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p>His voice conveys the lucidity of a driver who knows that Le Mans doesn&rsquo;t reward intentions, it rewards persistence &ndash; precision repeated over and over for 24 Hours. And progress. Not spectacular, but solid. As if each season added another layer of understanding.</p>

<p>Malthe Jakobsen, driver of the #94 Peugeot 9X8, adds:<em><strong>&ldquo;I am looking forward to returning to Le Mans, and I feel better prepared this year for this unique race. We will need to stay focused on our own objectives, avoid mistakes and be ready for every scenario. Representing Peugeot in its centenary year is a great honor, and I hope to make the brand proud. For me, Le Mans is also closely linked to Denmark and Danish drivers such as Tom Kristensen, whom I would also like to make proud.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p>Peugeot is approaching the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans with the idea that performance isn&rsquo;t a sudden roaring success. It builds up slowly, sometimes imperceptibly, shakily, and then becomes real.</p>

24 Hours of Le Mans: Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to turn progress into performance

<p>The <strong>94th 24 Hours of Le Mans</strong> takes place in a few day&rsquo;s time (10-14 June), and past successes will feature on the starting grid. In <strong>LMGT3</strong> the two <strong>Porsche 911 GT3 R</strong>s fielded by the <strong>Manthey</strong> customer team will compete in silver livery inspired by the design of the 1951 <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-centenary-the-first-porsche-hits-the-track-56721" target="_blank"><u><strong>Porsche 356 SL</strong></u></a> Coup&eacute; with which the Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer began its relationship with the French classic endurance race.</p>

<p>This is not just a stylistic choice. This livery tells a story. The two silver cars on the grid this year celebrate 75 years of international racing, which began with a drive from Zuffenhausen to Le Mans and continues today.</p>

<h2>A livery to celebrate the origins of Porsche&rsquo;s Le Mans lineage</h2>

<p>The #91 and #92 will be dressed in silver for a reason. The choice is a direct reference to the Porsche 356 SL Coup&eacute; driven by <strong>Auguste Veuillet</strong> and <strong>Edmond Mouche</strong> at the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<p>At the time, Porsche was a relatively new car manufacturer. The 800-kilometre journey to and from the Sarthe circuit was made by road &ndash; an eleven-hour drive starting in Zuffenhausen. An adventure in itself!</p>

<p>On <strong>23&nbsp;June 1951</strong>, the French drivers started the 24-hour race in their silver 356, a lightweight car with an air-cooled 46 hp four-cylinder boxer engine. The car made up for its lack of power with an impressive display of reliability, efficiency and precision. The following day, Veuillet and Mouche finished in <strong>20th place overall and first in class</strong> on Porsche&rsquo;s Le Mans d&eacute;but. The rest, as they say, is history.</p>

<h2>Start as you mean to go on</h2>

<p>As the years went by, the 24 Hours of Le Mans became a development platform for Porsche. The manufacturer has had <strong>at least one car on the starting grid at Le Mans without interruption since 1951</strong>.</p>

<p>This outstanding loyalty is built on true engagement. From the 356 SL to the most sophisticated prototypes, Porsche boasts <strong>19 overall victories and 112 class wins</strong>. These statistics alone underline a unique relationship between manufacturer and race.</p>

<p>A philosophy too:<strong> to use motor racing, and Le Mans in particular, as a real-life testing ground</strong>. Many technological innovations that we take for granted on today&rsquo;s production cars were developed and tested in the demanding conditions of endurance racing.</p>

<h2>Two Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3s celebrate a glittering past and hope for a glorious future</h2>

<p>This year Manthey will be aiming for a third consecutive class win with the two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs fielded in LMGT3.</p>

<p>The latest-generation GTs are a far cry from the modest 1951 356 SL.&nbsp;Beneath their vintage exterior the #91 and #92 can develop up to 565 hp, their silver colour&nbsp;<strong>a&nbsp;bridge between two eras</strong>.</p>

<p>The #91 in the hands of <strong>James Cottingham</strong>,<strong> Timur Boguslavskiy</strong> and <strong>Ayhancan G&uuml;ven</strong> races under the Manthey DK Engineering banner. The #92 <strong>The Bend Manthey</strong>&nbsp;entrusted to <strong>Yasser Shahin</strong>,<strong> Riccardo Pera</strong> and <strong>Richard Lietz</strong> currently leads the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 teams with a 4-point lead over the Garage 59 #10 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo.</p>

<p>When the engines start to roar, the two Porsches will be making a statement. They&rsquo;ll be saying that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is more than a race. These cars are proof that <strong>every generation tells its own story, but echoes its predecessors</strong>.</p>

The Porsche 911 GT3 Rs commemorate Porsche’s 1951 victory at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans

The LMP2 class for the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans (10–14 June 2026) boasts 19 cars, nine with Pro/Am crews. LMP2 always has its fair share of surprises. Inter Europol Competition is back to defend its 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class title this year.

<h2>What is an LMP2?</h2>

<p>The &ldquo;Le Mans Prototype 2&rdquo; (LMP2) is a closed-cockpit car designed exclusively for racing. LMP2s are the reserve of independent teams participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the European Le Mans Series, the Asian Le Mans Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Four constructors have been selected to supply the chassis:&nbsp;Dallara (with the P217), Onroak Automotive (with the Ligier JS P217), Oreca (with the Oreca 07) and Riley/Multimatic (Riley MK30). Gibson is the sole engine supplier. The selling price of a new car, not including engine or homologated electronic equipment, is capped at &euro;483,000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Crews must include at least one Silver or Bronze-rated driver. Line-ups with a Bronze driver have their own specific ranking: LMP2 Pro/Am.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;<strong>The class at a glance&nbsp;</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Closed-cockpit prototype&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Category open to private teams only&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Four manufacturers: Dallara, Oreca, Riley-Multimatic and Onroak&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Engine: Gibson V8 4.2 litre naturally-aspirated&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Output: approximately 375 kW&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Minimum weight: 950 kg&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Fuel tank: 65 litres&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Single tyre manufacturer: Goodyear</li>
</ul>

<h2>DKR Engineering</h2>

<p>#3 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; John Farano / Sebastian Alvarez / Renger Van Der Zande (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>The Luxembourgers of DKR Engineering are well-used to Le Mans series. The team has four 24 Hours of Le Mans starts to its name in the LMP2 class. Last time, in 2024, the team finished in 21st place overall and seventh in LMP2. DKR Engineering is a European Le Mans Series competitor this season. The team finished 17th in the 4 Hours of Barcelona and 18th in the 4 Hours of Le Castellet and no doubt hope for better fortune at Le Mans. The car is in the hands of Canadian John Farano, Mexican Sebasti&aacute;n &Aacute;lvarez, who took part with IDEC Sport last year, and Dutchman Renger Van der Zande, for whom this will be the ninth Le Mans start.</p>

<h2>Crowdstrike Racing by APR</h2>

<p>#4 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; George Kurtz / Alexander Quinn / Laurin Heinrich (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>As winners of the GT class in the 2025-6 Asian Le Mans Series the American team earned an invitation to compete at Le Mans. This is the team&rsquo;s third 24 Hours of Le Mans. After a DNF in 2024, the team supported by Algarve Pro Racing finished in 30th place overall and 13th in LMP2 last year. At the wheel, George Kurtz joins Briton Alexander Quinn and German Laurin Heinrich, the Porsche works driver who won the Rolex 24 at Daytona with a 963 in January.</p>

<h2>Proton Competition</h2>

<p>#9 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Jonas Ried / Kakunoshin Ohta / Harry King<br />
#44 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Horst Jr Felbermayr / Horst Felix Felbermayr / Lorenzo Flux&agrave; (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>Like last year, German team Proton Competition has two LMP2 entries for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team also represents Ford in LMGT3, with two Mustangs and is a European Le Mans Series competitor this season with the two Orecas. With the #9 entry, which bears the colours of hotel chain seven x seven, Ford Racing is preparing its Hypercar entry next season. Jonas Ried, who shares the car with Sebastian Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller in ELMS, will be teamed with Kakunoshin Ohta and Harry King for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<p>The #44 driven by Felbermayr father and son duo sports the family&rsquo;s famous colours. Lorenzo Flux&agrave; completes the crew.<br />
Last year Proton Competition finished in fourth and sixth place in LMP2 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<h2>TDS Racing</h2>

<p>#14 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Tobias Lutke / Mathias Beche / K&eacute;vin Estre (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>Xavier Combet&rsquo;s team is a regular on the 24 Hours of Le Mans grid with nine appearances. TDS Racing were runners-up in LMP2 in 2014 and third in 2019. Like last year, the LMP2 Pro/Am crew are contenders for a class victory. Mathias Beche (11 race starts) and Porsche factory driver Kevin Estre are notoriously fast drivers. The crew amateur, Tobias Lutke, is founder and CEO of Canadian company Shopify. Last year TDS Racing finished in fifth place in LMP2 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mathias Beche was member of the crew.</p>

<h2>United Autosports</h2>

<p>#22 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Rasmus Lindh / Gr&eacute;goire Saucy / Mikkel Jensen<br />
#222 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Daniel Schneider / Benjamin Hanley / Oliver Jarvis (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>United Autosports is one of the teams to beat in LMP2. Present in the class since 2017, the British outfit boasts two Le Mans class wins (2020 and &lsquo;24), and European Le Mans Series and FIA WEC titles.<br />
The team fields two entries again this year. The #22 is entrusted to Rasmus Lindh and Gr&eacute;goire Saucy who drove the team&rsquo;s McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo in LMGT3 last year, and Mikkel Jensen, former Peugeot TotalEnergies Hypercar driver. Daniel Schneider, Benjamin Hanley and Oliver Jarvis take the wheel of the #222. Jarvis was a member of the 2024 winning crew. The team is among the favourites for the LMP2 title at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<p>United Autosports is set to enter a McLaren MCL-HY in the Hypercar class next year.</p>

<h2>Nielsen Racing</h2>

<p>#24 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; David Heinemeier Hansson / Edward Pearson / Jack Doohan</p>

<p>This is the British team&rsquo;s fifth 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last year the car crashed out and failed to see the chequered flag, so a spirit of revenge reigns over the garage this year. The driver crew is composed of David Heinemeier Hansson (12 starts), Edward Pearson, and Jack Doohan, former driver of the Alpine Formula One and son of Michael Doohan, who won five consecutive 500cc Motorcycle World Championships. Nielsen Racing is among the hopefuls for the LMP2 podium.</p>

<h2>Algarve Pro Racing</h2>

<p>#25 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Michael Jensen / Enzo Trulli / Jake Hughes (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>The Portuguese team already has nine 24 Hours of Le Mans entries, including three LMP2 Pro/Am victories in 2020, 2022 and 2023. They also won the European Le Mans Series in 2023 and the Asian Le Mans Series six times. Algarve Pro Racing began 2026 by winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Consequently, the team is a contender for the top step at Le Mans in the LMP2 Pro/Am class. Driver Enzo Trulli is the son of ex-Formula One driver Jarno Trulli (252 Grands Prix between 1997 and 2011). The other crew members are Michael Jensen (two starts) and Jake Hughes.</p>

<h2>Vector Sport</h2>

<p>#26 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Ryan Cullen / Vladislav Lomko / Pietro Fittipaldi</p>

<p>Vector Sport is preparing for its fourth 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance on the back of a fourth place in the European Le Mans Series last year. Their best result at Le Mans is fifth place in 2024. So far this season, the team has finished 6th in the 4 Hours of Barcelona and 5th in the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. Vector Sport are hoping to continue the climb to the top at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the same line-up as last year. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it often pays to be consistent.</p>

<h2>IDEC Sport</h2>

<p>#28 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Paul Lafargue / Valerio Rinicella / Job Van Uitert</p>

<p>IDEC Sport will be on the starting grid of the 24 hours of Le Mans for the tenth year running, in LMP2. Paul-Loup Chatin having taken a seat in the Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar, he is replaced by Italian driver Valerio Rinicella. Last year the team lost a wheel and had to retire. This year, everyone at IDEC will be out to write another exciting chapter in their Le Mans story.</p>

<h2>Forestier Racing by Panis</h2>

<p>#29 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Louis Rousset / Esteban Masson / Oliver Gray</p>

<p>Panis Racing and Forestier Racing join forces this year to take LMP2 by storm. The #29 Oreca 07-Gibson fielded by the combined outfit took the honours in European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Barcelona this season. Last year a suspension issue barred VDS Panis Racing&rsquo;s route to victory and the team had to settle for second. No doubt ex Formula One driver and team owner Oliver Panis will be hungry for revenge this year.</p>

<h2>Duqueine Team</h2>

<p>#30 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Doriane Pin / Julien Andlauer / Richard Verschoor</p>

<p>Duqueine Team has gradually become a regular in LMP2. A European Le Mans Series contender since 2018, the team founded in 2014 has already competed six times in the French endurance classic. Their best result so far was third place in 2023. The team headed by Gilles Duqueine has joined forces with R-ace GP to find the impetus it needs to reach the top. So far this season, the team has finished 11th in the 4 Hours of Barcelona and 10th in the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. At the wheel of the #30: Doriane Pin (Team Peugeot TotalEnergies development driver), Julien Andlauer (Porsche factory driver), and Richard Verschoor.</p>

<h2>CLX Motorsport</h2>

<p>#37 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Adrien Clomesnil / Ian Aguilera / Theodor Jensen</p>

<p>For the 94th race, CLX Motorsport, formerly Cool Racing, has entrusted its car to three drivers from endurance feeder series. Adrien Clomesnil and Theodor Jensen come to Le Mans as European LMP3 champions, having climbed the ranks of the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Ian Aguilera moves to LMP2 having gleaned experience in LMP3.<br />
CLX Motorsport stands eighth overall in the European Le Mans Series this season. Last year the team founded by Nicolas Lapierre finished in 14 place in LMP2 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<h2>Inter Europol Competition</h2>

<p>#43 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Jakub Smiechowski / Tom Dillmann / Nicholas Yelloly<br />
#343 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Bijoy Carg / Reshad De G&eacute;rus / Nico M&uuml;ller</p>

<p>The Polish team are the defending champions. The crew of the #43 are aiming for two titles back to back. And of course, Inter Europol Competition also mounted the top step of the Le Mans podium in 2023. Kuba Smiechowski&rsquo;s team is definitely among the contenders for the LMP2 title. So far this season, the team has bagged three second places, in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 4 Hours of Barcelona and the 4 Hours of Le Castellet.<br />
The second car is also a candidate for victory. It is in the hands of Bijoy Carg (2024 winner with United Autosports), Reshad De G&eacute;rus, and Porsche factory driver Nico M&uuml;ller who took the wheel of the Peugeot Hypercar and currently competes in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.</p>

<h2>RD Limited</h2>

<p>#48 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Fred Poordad / Tristan Vautier / Romain Dumas (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>Following great success in the Asian Le Mans Series &ndash; a win and five podiums &ndash; RD Limited is tackling the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time this year. The team is headed by Romain Dumas, winner in 2010 with Audi and in 2016 with Porsche. The #48 joins an extremely open field in which every car has its chances. Thanks to Dumas&rsquo;s 23 Le Mans starts, the team knows the pitfalls of the circuit and the race. He shares the car with Tristan Vautier (three starts) and Fred Poordad, a world-class doctor renowned for liver research, who will be competing at Le Mans for the second time.</p>

<h2>AO by TF</h2>

<p>#99 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; PJ Hyett / James Allen / Dane Cameron (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>The American team again joins forces with TF Sport to defend their LMP2 Pro/Am title. After introducing fans to Rexy and Spike, AO Racing presents Rockie, the flamboyant Pegasus figure that is the team&rsquo;s emblem this year. PJ Hyett, founder of AO Racing, shares the car with Australian James Allen and American Dane Cameron. Rockie the Pegasus is ready to take flight.</p>

<h2>AF Corse</h2>

<p>#183 &ndash; Oreca 07-Gibson &ndash; Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo / Matthieu Vaxiviere / Ben Barnicoat (LMP2 Pro/Am)</p>

<p>AF Corse took the LMP2 Pro/Am class win at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the wheel this year, Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo, one of the most talented amateur drivers in the class. He shares the car with former Alpine Hypercar driver Matthieu Vaxiviere, and Ben Barnicoat. So far this season the #183 AF Corse has finished 10th in the 4 Hours of Barcelona and 14th in the 4 Hours of Le Castellet.</p>

24 Hours of Le Mans – The 2026 LMP2 class preview

<p style="text-align: justify;">
	As you browsed through the list of 180 drivers set to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 18&ndash;19 June, you may have noticed a change in the Manor line-up. The British team has been running two Oreca 05-Nissan&rsquo;s in the World Endurance Championship this season: Tor Graves, Will Stevens and James Jakes in the #44 and Matt Rao, Richard Bradley and Roberto Merhi in the #45.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
	Only the #44 will be racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans but the crew will change, with Matt Rao moving in to take over from James Jakes. The decision seems to have been taken after the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps where the #45 pulled off a very worthy third place, but Matt Rao voiced his disappointmen at not driving at Le Mans: <em>&ldquo;Happy to be back standing on a podium, but disappointed that we are not standing higher on it. We had the pace to win and we can definitely improve on this result. It&rsquo;s a shame that #45 won&rsquo;t be at Le Mans but for the rest of the season I think we can be competing for the podium on a regular basis.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		A busy pitwalk and autograph session this morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WEC6hSpa?src=hash">#WEC6hSpa</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q3pSYMQwit">pic.twitter.com/Q3pSYMQwit</a></p>
	&mdash; ManorWEC (@ManorWEC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManorWEC/status/728904141200830465">May 7, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
	Roberto Merhi will miss Le Mans this year too but the third #45 driver, Richard Bradley, will be racing in the 24-hour endurance competition with LM P2 team KCMG and helping defend the team&rsquo;s title as class champion.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
	Geoffroy Barre &mdash; Translated from French by Emma Paulay</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">
	<strong>Photo: Manor has changed the driver line-up for its Le Mans 24 Hours conquest. </strong></p>


24 Hours of Le Mans - Matt Rao replaces James Jakes in Manor (Oreca) line-up

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