An Audi chased by a Toyota is the poster for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The duel of 2012 will be repeated in 2013!

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is divided into four classes, and as many races within the race. Today, an introduction to the LM P1 class.

If the relative performances determined by regulations work as expected, the overall winner will be in this class. Audi and Toyota are the favourites but Lola and Honda waiting in ambush! The 2013 race marks the end of an era as a new technical regulations will soon give rise to a new generation of prototypes. Meanwhile, the current models have matured, both in performance and reliability. All are capable of racing the 24 hour marathon as if it was a sprint!

☛ Entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2013

Audi e-tron quattro R18: The favourites!
The numbers speak for themselves; 11 wins in 14 participations ... No wonder then that Audi continues a winning formula for 2013. The trio of Fässler, Lotterer and Tréluyer who have won the last two 24 hours will be retained, while the illustrious duo of Kristensen and McNish receives strong reinforcement from Loïc Duval. In fact, only the arrival of Lucas di Grassi alongside Gené and Jarvis is the biggest change. The recruitment of the former Virgin Racing F1 driver may be a surprise as he has never driven before at Le Mans, but the Brazilian knows the car he drove to 3rd place in the 6 hours of São Paulo. On the techanical side, Dr. Ullrich has adopted the same conservative strategy by running the latest evolution of the Audi R18 in its third consecutive year. Could it join the 'silver arrows' in the museum with a 100% success rate at Le Mans? That might have been a formality if not for the threat from Toyota who showed well in the second half of last season ...

Photo : ACO/Nikon	Photo : ACO/Nikon

Toyota TS030 hybrid: The thoroughbred!
Unlike their rivals, Toyota have not been shy of taking risks to make the difference: F1 drivers such as Wurz, Buemi, Nakajima and Davidson and pole position specialist Sarrazin. The sixth man, Nicolas Lapierre led the 24 hours for a while before mechanical problems slowed the TS030, but it had already demonstrated a level of competitiveness equal or higher than the Audis. Since then, the Cologne-based team has been reliable while also making many changes (new tub, new bodywork, new engine). To dethrone Audi the world's leading manufacturer developed an innovative but very effective hybrid system and sometimes even flirted with the limits of the regulations (extended rear spoiler). What surprises could be in store for June? One thing is certain: Toyota is doing everything to become the second Japanese manufacturer to win at Le Mans!

Photo : ACO/Nikon	Photo : ACO/Nikon

Lola B12/60 – Toyota: Podium possible ...
Having put a toe in the water in 2007 with a modest Spyker, Rebellion Racing (formerly Speedy Garage) has never ceased to grow. Cars prepared in England by Sebah Racing suffered from persistent unreliability and inconsistency of their drivers, but through hard work, the team formed by Bart Hayden was finally able to match reliability with speed. The 2012 season was downright outstanding with a victory at Petit Le Mans and a FIA World Endurance Championship trophy, together with a fourth place finish at Le Mans. For 2013, the crew of Prost, Jani and Heidfeld is retained when veteran of the team, Andrea Belicchi accompanies new recruits Mathias Beche and Cong Fu Cheng. Although probably not a direct challenge to the duelling Audi and Toyota, both Lolas will have ringside seat for the titanic battle of works teams, and could benefit from attrition in the leading pack. 

Photo : ACO/Nikon	Photo : ACO/Nikon

Honda ARX 03c: Towards a new challenge?
The meteoric rise Strakka started in 2007, the English team made his debut in GT before moving to the prototypes in 2009 and won the LM P2 class at Le Mans the following year. Ascending to the top prototype class last year did not disappoint: after starting seventh - and first private team on the grid for the Le Mans 24 Hours (qualifying in 3:29.622), they scored a resounding podium finish at the 6 Hours of Bahrain ... a feat not yet achieved by their great rivals Rebellion! More opportunism at Strakka? Maybe ... In 2010, they took advantage of the rout of the LM P1 field at the Hungaroring (Hungary) to become the first to win overall in an LM P2 in Europe. Formed in 2010, the trio of Leventis-Watts-Kane can count on the reliability and competitiveness of a significantly revamped Honda (wider tyres on the front) to take on the challenge of the 24 hours!

Photo : Strakka Racing	Photo : Strakka Racing

Julien HERGAULT

Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 16 JUNE 2012.