Before being caught, and eventually passed by Tom Kristensen, Jacky Ickx held the record for most overall victories at Le Mans for quite some time, with six wins, half of which came in a Porsche 936 in 1976, 1977 and 1981.

From 2027, Goodyear Eagle tire delivers new level of performance and the highest level of sustainable materials content in endurance racing.

Goodyear has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with the FIA and the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest (ACO), confirming its role as the exclusive tire supplier for the LMGT3 category in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) through 2029. The agreement reinforces Goodyear&rsquo;s long-term commitment to endurance racing at the highest level. Goodyear was selected at the end of a tender evaluation that considered a range of criteria, including tire performance across varying track and weather conditions, safety, sustainability, cost, the manufacturer&#39;s experience in supplying tires for LMGT3 competition, and the level of technical and operational support provided to teams.

As part of this continued partnership, Goodyear will introduce a new generation of Goodyear Racing Eagle tire specifications for the LMGT3 class in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and European Le Mans Series (ELMS) from 2027, further strengthening its focus on innovation in top-level endurance racing. This next step reinforces Goodyear&rsquo;s leadership in bringing sustainable materials into real-world competition, translating innovation into tangible performance on track. With a clear pathway to scalability and industrialization, Goodyear is ensuring that advancements developed in racing can be credibly transferred beyond the track. Backed by a robust and forward-looking development roadmap Goodyear continues to set the benchmark for the future of endurance racing. 
 
&ldquo;This extension reinforces Goodyear&rsquo;s long-term commitment to endurance racing as a platform for innovation&rdquo;, said Xavier Fraipont, Goodyear Racing Vice-President. With the next generation of Eagle tires from 2027, we are not only raising the bar in performance but also accelerating our journey to have tires with higher levels of sustainable-material content in top-tier competition&rdquo;. 
 
&ldquo;Goodyear has played an important role in the success and development of the LMGT3 category since its introduction in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Extending this partnership through 2029 reflects a shared ambition between the FIA, the ACO and Goodyear: to ensure strong sporting consistency while continuing to drive innovation. The introduction of a new generation of tires from 2027, combining high-level performance with increased sustainable material content, perfectly illustrates the direction endurance racing must continue to take &mdash; where technological excellence and responsibility go hand in hand.&rdquo; 
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&#39;Ouest

The refreshed range will continue Goodyear&rsquo;s current single-specification philosophy, with one Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium slick and one Wet tire developed around three key priorities: instant confidence, a wide operating window and an enhanced range of sustainable materials. 
 
Both the slick and wet compounds will contain 66% sustainable materials[1], making them the tires with highest sustainable content in top-level endurance racing and establishing Goodyear as a global leader in sustainable motorsport tire technology. 
 
The new compounds combine recycled and bio-based materials1 including recycled steel, rice husk silica, recycled zinc oxide, and ISCC-certified polymers and carbon black, with bio-based processing aids and sustainable natural rubber. The tires will also debut newly designed Eagle-branded sidewalls, bringing Goodyear&rsquo;s unmistakable Eagle performance identity even more prominently to the track. 
Goodyear has enjoyed three triumphant seasons since the LMGT3 category was introduced in 2024, with its current Goodyear Racing Eagle products becoming renowned for their performance, consistency and broad operating window across changing conditions. 
 
&ldquo;Developing a tire capable of performing across vastly different circuits, supporting front-, mid-, and rear-engined cars, and meeting the demands of both professional and amateur drivers, is no small feat,&rdquo; said Fraipont. 
 
&ldquo;Since the category launched in 2024, we have continuously developed the Goodyear Racing Eagle products using feedback from drivers, teams and manufacturers competing at the highest level of endurance racing. These new specifications are the result of an extensive development process, allowing us to continue delivering world-class performance and consistency while proving that sustainable innovation and elite endurance performance can go hand in hand,&rdquo; added Fraipont.

<h2>Where Performance Meets Its Next Frontier</h2>

That philosophy remained central throughout the development process, with Goodyear pushing the boundaries of performance while delivering a tire that inspires confidence from the very first lap, adapts seamlessly to evolving track and weather conditions, and enables teams to execute more dynamic race strategies. 
 
Fraipont added: &ldquo;At Spa this year, we witnessed the fastest LMGT3 race ever recorded at the circuit. At Le Mans, we expect some teams to complete up to four stints (around 600 km) on a single set of tires. This highlights the remarkable breadth and consistency of performance we are now delivering. 
 
&ldquo;With this new generation of Goodyear Racing Eagle tires, we continue to advance performance at the highest level. While speed is part of our DNA, endurance racing demands a broader capability combining durability, consistency and adaptability. This is where our focus is fully directed. But this milestone is only one step in a much longer journey. We are already challenging ourselves to go further and move faster. This is not about reaching a specific percentage. It is about redefining what high-performance racing should look like in a more responsible era. Goodyear is already developing the future of Eagle tires with 80% sustainable material-content, which we intend to showcase on track later this year. 
 
&ldquo;More than a technological achievement, this represents a clear statement of intent: demonstrating that sustainability and uncompromising performance can progress together - and that Goodyear is ready to lead this transformation alongside its partners&rdquo; concluded Fraipont. 
&nbsp; 
[1] Goodyear definition of sustainable materials: a bio-based (originating from biological sources); renewable (composed of replenishable biomass); or recycled (reprocessed from reclaimed materials) material as defined in ISO 14021; or one produced using or contributing to other practices designed to promote resource conservation and/or emissions reductions.

FIA, ACO and Goodyear drive the future of LMGT3 through 2029

On the agenda for Thursday 11 June are the final free practice and qualifying sessions, the new format Hyperpole as well as various support races hitting the track. The Libertines concert will close out the day as the energy and excitement around the circuit ramp up!

<h2>24 HOURS OF LE Mans FREE PRACTICE</h2>

Teams still have four hours of free practice to fine-tune their cars ahead of the&nbsp;big showdown this weekend: one&nbsp;session from 14:45 to 17:45 and&nbsp;a short night session from 23:00 to midnight.

At this stage of race&nbsp;week, every stint is precious. Engineers are finessing&nbsp;their fuel consumption and aerodynamic calculations. Drivers continue to master the circuit down to the smallest detail aware that at Le Mans&nbsp;the circuit&nbsp;evolves like a living thing, changing&nbsp;with the light, the traffic&nbsp;and the fall&nbsp;of night.

<h2>24 HOURS OF LE MANS Hyperpole</h2>

It&#39;s finally time for the highly anticipated Hyperpole! This year, the Hyperpole&nbsp;is adopting a new more dramatic&nbsp;and demanding&nbsp;format. Competitors who qualified the previous day will be split into two phases,&nbsp;H1 and&nbsp;H2.

The 30 cars in LMP2 and&nbsp;LMGT3&nbsp;will face off first to secure their spot&nbsp;among the 10&nbsp;finalists.&nbsp;The same&nbsp;applies for&nbsp;the Hypercars:&nbsp;the top 15 prototypes will vie for a spot in the final. Then comes the 15-minute Hyperpole of one perfect lap to nail. There is no safety net. There is zero room for error. This is all about the driver, the machine&nbsp;and 13.626 km&nbsp;of opportunity. The Hyperpole will be held&nbsp;from 20:00 to 21:55.

<h2>Road To Le Mans</h2>

Like their 24 Hours of Le Mans counterparts, the Road to Le Mans competitors will&nbsp;race&nbsp;against the clock today. A qualifying session is scheduled from 10:15 to 11:15 to finalise&nbsp;the starting grid for the 2026 running of the race scheduled&nbsp;tomorrow from 10:00 to 13:00.

<h2>Ferrari Challenge</h2>

The Ferrari Challenge is back with&nbsp;qualifying sessions from 11:55&nbsp;to 12:40&nbsp;and Race 1 from 18:30&nbsp;to 19:15.

<h2>Porsche Carrera Cup BrAZil</h2>

After taking advantage of valuable track time during two&nbsp;free practices yesterday, the Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil drivers are set for their first qualifying session&nbsp;today from 9:00 to 9:45, followed by Race 1&nbsp;from 13:25 to 14:15.

<h2>Arnage IN THE RACE</h2>

For this 11th Arnage in the Race, ESM72 has chosen the theme of&nbsp;women in motorsports.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Every year, nearly 100 race cars and vintage vehicles gather in the town of Arnage. Numerous stalls are set up to cater to collectors of scale models&nbsp;and other items related to motor racing. From miniatures, aluminum-mounted photos, postcards, paintings,&nbsp;T-shirts and caps, there is something for everyone!&nbsp;

Several fun activities are planned for&nbsp;the day, including two parades: the first at lunchtime in the city streets&nbsp;and the second in the afternoon inside the exhibition area. Don&#39;t forget to enjoy the various food trucks and snack vendors on-site!&nbsp;

<h2>The Libertines CONCERT</h2>

A cult British rock band from the 2000s, The Libertines are romantic&nbsp;and untamed, driven by the legendary duo of Pete Doherty and Carl Bar&acirc;t. This&nbsp;band influenced an entire generation with albums like &quot;Up the Bracket&quot;. Renowned for the intensity and unpredictability of their live performances, The Libertines deliver emotionally charged shows blending rock anthems with&nbsp;a sense of onstage urgency that creates&nbsp;a deep connection with their&nbsp;audience.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Thursday 11 June Programme

09:00 &ndash; 00:00 |&nbsp;M24 &ndash; Motorsport Museum open 
09:00 &ndash; 09:45 |&nbsp;Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil Qualifying 
09:00 &ndash; 17:00 |&nbsp;Arnage in the Race 
10:00 &ndash; 00:00 |&nbsp;Fan Zones, Kids Zone, Hydrogen ACO H2 and Constructors Villages open + hydrogen prototype demonstration at&nbsp;12:50 
10:15 &ndash; 11:15 |&nbsp;Road to Le Mans Qualifying 
11:55 &ndash; 12:40 |&nbsp;Ferrari Challenge Qualifying 
13:25 &ndash; 14:15 |&nbsp;Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil Race 1 
14:45 &ndash; 17:45 |&nbsp;24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans Free Practice 3 
18:30 &ndash; 19:15 |&nbsp;Ferrari Challenge Race 1 
20:00 &ndash; 20:20 |&nbsp;24 Hours of Le Mans Hyperpole 1 &ndash;&nbsp;LMP2 &amp; LMGT3&nbsp; 
20:00 &ndash; 23:20 | The Libertines concert 
20:35 &ndash; 20:50 | 24 Hours of Le Mans&nbsp;Hyperpole 2 &ndash; LMP2 &amp; LMGT3&nbsp; 
21:05 &ndash; 21:25 |&nbsp;24 Hours of Le Mans Hyperpole 1 &ndash; Hypercar 
21:40 &ndash; 21:55 |&nbsp;24 Hours of Le Mans Hyperpole 2 &ndash; Hypercar 
22:05 &ndash; 22:25 |&nbsp;24 Hours of Le Mans&nbsp;Hyperpole ceremony 
23:00 &ndash; 00:00 | 24 Hours of Le Mans Free Practice 4

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans – Thursday 11/06 Programme

Despite an early heart-stopping spin, the #7 Toyota with Kamui Kobayashi aboard left it to the final two laps to put Toyota Racing at the top of the order in Free Practice Two as the sun went down.

The sun went down and the lights switched on for the first time around the Circuit de la Sarthe - with Free Practice 2 ending the track action on Wednesday for the teams taking part in the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two hours on the clock for the 62 cars to dial themselves in, and acclimatise themselves to the blanket of darkness. The dance of the headlights, the glow from the brake disks - who&rsquo;s on a mission and who is searching for more speed. There is something special about night time at Le Mans. Here&rsquo;s how it went&hellip;&nbsp;

<h2>Hypercar</h2>

As track temperatures dropped, so did grip levels and first to be caught out in the cooler conditions was the #7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid. Driver Nyck De Vries dropped the Japanese machine in the middle of the Dunlop chicane. The Dutchman managed to get the car back on track, but a Full Course Yellow had to be brought out for the marshals to retrieve a ripped off piece from the underside of the Toyota.&nbsp;

The sister #8 car fared much better when Brendon Hartley fired his way to the top in

&nbsp;his version of the TR010 Hybrid within the first 20 minutes of FP2 - setting the first &lsquo;hot&rsquo; lap of the session. Later on, coming to the end of a 12-lap stint the Kiwi outbraked himself on final chicane on the Mulsanne and went offroading across the gravel trap&hellip; just making it out the other side without getting stuck.&nbsp;

The #007 Aston Martin with Ross Gunn behind the wheel was impressive in the spine-tingling Valkyrie fighting for a top three at the start of the two-hours, while the ever present #101 Cadillac run by Wayne Taylor Racing was strong once again taking over from the Toyota at the top of the time sheets in hour one. However, there was a heart in the mouth moment for Filipe Albuquereque whose Cadillac lost both power and lights coming into the pit lane. Stopping briefly&hellip; a &lsquo;control, alt, delete&rsquo; helped reboot the American machine and he was on his way again.

There was an upturn in pace from the #83 Ferrari 499P as Robert Kubica got to grips with the AF Corse car - second fastest in the moonlight session was a small consolation after the disappointment of missing out on Hyperpole. Then, Yiefi Ye climbed aboard after the Polish drivers stint and the car clicked for the Chinese star too, going quicker than the #101 Cadillac at the halfway point - a position he would hold until almost the end when Kobayashi entered his purple patch - laying down a marker for the rest of the field..

After topping Hyperpole Qualifying, Alpine were looking racy in fourth - this time with the #36 A424 leading the charge. The #12 Hertz Team JOTA run Cadillac in fifth suffered a rear puncture in the final 25 minutes - Swiss ace Louis Del&eacute;traz limping it back for a replacement.

Seconds later the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 with Dries Vanthoor aboard, lost control at the esses coming into Tertre Rouge. With colder tyres and track temp, the car went light on the left hander and the BMW rotated into the gravel - bringing out a Slow Zone in the process.

Plugging away, the new face at Le Mans this year - Genesis Magma Racing ended sixth quickest, yes you read that right - sixth quickest on its debut. Incredible strides from the South Korean firm.

<h2>LMP2</h2>

ELMS front running team Forestier Racing by Panis dominated the early phase of the session with Oliver Gray &lsquo;eating his carrots&rsquo; ahead of the session revelling in the darkness - pulling 1.3 seconds over his rivals. A margin that couldn&#39;t be caught by the pursuing #4 Crowdstrike Racing bt APR team in second or the #43 Inter Europol Competition in third.

A yellow flag and then Slow Zone was shown with an hour and twenty minutes left on the clock as the Duqueine ORECA of Richard Verschoor was left stranded in the kitty litter on the approach to the Goodyear Bridge after a harmless spin. Thankfully not too much damage for the French team to repair for tomorrow.

<h2>LMGT3</h2>

In the LMGT3 category it was advantage Team WRT, who set its stall out early as they showcased the speed of the Bavarian M4 LMGT3 Evo in the cooler conditions. Six manufacturers occupied the first six positions in an important session for the GT cars. Teams only get three hours over the two days in the darkness, so it was important for all three drivers, especially the Bronze pilots - who need as much time as possible to get up to speed in the dark as well as finding the pace overall.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

#61 Iron Lynx were another team delighted with a step forward in pace in second, while the #92 Manthey Porsche pounded around the circuit in third.

Top 5 Overall Standings:

1. Toyota GR010 Hybrid #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing &ndash; Mike Conway / Kamui Kobayashi / Nyck de Vries &ndash; 3&rsquo;26&rsquo;&rsquo;096 
2. Ferrari 499P #83 AF Corse &ndash; Robert Kubica / Yifei Ye / Philip Hanson &ndash; 3&rsquo;26&rsquo;&rsquo;316 
3. Cadillac V-Series.R #101 Cadillac WTR &ndash; Ricky Taylor / Jordan Taylor / Filipe Albuquerque &ndash; 3&rsquo;26&rsquo;&rsquo;387 
4. Alpine A424 #36 Alpine Endurance Team &ndash; Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Makowiecki / Jules Gounon / Victor Martins &ndash; 3&rsquo;26&rsquo;&rsquo;417 
5. Cadillac V-Series.R #12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA &ndash; Louis Del&eacute;traz / Will Stevens / Norman Nato &ndash; 3&rsquo;26&rsquo;&rsquo;420

LMP2/LMGT3 Catergories:

<ul>
	<li>LMP2 : Oreca 07-Gibson #29 Forestier Racing by Panis &ndash; Louis Rousset / Esteban Masson / Oliver Gray &ndash; 3&rsquo;33&rsquo;&rsquo;645</li>
	<li>LMGT3 : BMW M4 LMGT3 Evo #32 Team WRT &ndash;&nbsp; Darren Leung / Sean Gelael / Augusto Farfus &ndash; 3&rsquo;55&rsquo;&rsquo;132</li>
</ul>

Tomorrow, we will take it up a level. We have Free Practice 3, kicking things off at 14:45 local time followed by the Hyperpole knockouts, with the final dress rehearsal - Free Practice 4 coming tomorrow night. Who will show their true colours? Who will take pole for the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Join us for a front row seat tomorrow.

&nbsp;

Toyota turn it on at Le Mans to top FP2 and first night-time session

Road To Le Mans, Challenge Ferrari Trofeo Pirelli Europe, and the Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil are part of the sporting schedule of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three support fixtures took place on the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans today, all free practice sessions.

<h2>Road To Le Mans: Brutal Fish by Campos shows form</h2>

The pinnacle of the Michelin Le Mans Cup since 2016, Road to Le Mans celebrates a decade of existence with a mini revolution. Rather than two 60-minute races, this year there will be one 3-hour race, starting at 10:00 on Friday! There are 58 competitors this year, split into three classes: LMP3, LMP3 Pro/Am and GT3. Each car has two drivers. In the 2026 line-up are last year&rsquo;s six winners, as well as David Droux, winner in 2023, and David Fumanelli, winner in 2024. Narain Karthikeyan, who has 46 Formula One Grands Prix to his name, is at the wheel of the #36 Ligier JSP 325. Another one to watch is Mr Le Mans&rsquo; nephew Oskar Kristensen, who is paired with German Christian Gisy in the #24 Ligier JSP 325 in the Pro/Am class. Sergio Sette Camara is in the same class. The Brazilian raced in Formula Two in 2017 and 2019 and was reserve and development driver for the McLaren and Red Bull Formula One teams.

Road To Le Mans is true to its name. Drivers, teams and manufacturers are a step away from top-notch endurance racing. The races have stints, drivers have teammates, the Circuit des 24 heures du Mans is part of the calendar &ndash; everything is preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Two practice sessions took place today. It was difficult for competitors to find their feet given the number of red flags in both sessions. On the first evening of the competition, the #12 Ligier JSP 325 driven by Arthur Rageo and August Raber topped the timesheets in the fastest class, while Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez-Laser (#71 Ligier JSP 325) were first in the Pro/Am class. In GT3, the #10 Aston Martin Vantage AMR went quickest in the hands of Valentin Hasse Clot and Philipp Sager.

<h2>The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe settles in</h2>

Sixty V6 twin-turbo starting up at the same time: what a growl! The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe is a curtain-opener for the the French 24-hour marathon this year. The championship is back, having included a Le Mans round on numerous occasions in the past: in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2023. Cars change, one generation gives way to another, but the feelings are just as strong.

This season began in France, in March at Le Castellet, followed by Mugello, Italy and Spielberg, Austria. Le Mans is the fourth round. Three years after the Centenary when the 499P claimed the first of three consecutive triumphs in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari red is back in La Sarthe.

This year, the customary 45-minute race is replaced by two intense 35-minute races. The first is at 18:30 on Thursday, when the shadows begin to lengthen, and the second is on Saturday at 09:15, when the circuit is drawing breath before the weekend&rsquo;s headline act.

The field is composed of 296 Challenges. In all, 25 nationalities compete, representing 40 dealers: the Europeans are joined by 11 Ferrari Challenge North America drivers, six British and two Japanese. It almost resembles a world cup final! Lilou Wadoux is Race Advisor, and will be racing herself in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, in the Richard Mille AF Corse #150 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo she shares with Custodio Toledo and Riccardo Agostini.

Sergio Paulet leads the Trofeo Pirelli (#1 Ineco - Reparto Corse RAM). He banked 3:54.958 in Free Practice 2, the only driver to go below the 3:55 mark. Fernando Monje (#74 QUADIS Gallery &ndash; GOAT Racing) is on his heels (3:55.257).

Michael Verhagen (#33 Ferrari Warszawa) has been demonstrating superiority among the amateurs since the beginning of the season. He was fastest this morning, but will have to fend off Enzo Ide (#22 Formula Racing), who was faster this afternoon (3:55.288). The Coppa Shell Am is in the hands of Jean Ry (#108 Kessel Racing).

<h2>Mar&ccedil;al M&uuml;ller in Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil</h2>

For the first time in its history, the Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil is a support fixture at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. Founded in 2005, the series works on the same principle as Porsche Cups elsewhere in the world: a field of identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars compete in an annual championship. Although a large majority of races take place in Brazil, there are a few exceptions: rounds in Argentina, Portugal, Spain, and now France. Several well-known names are in the line-up. Among them Michael Fassbender (#93), the famous actor who took the wheel at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and 2023, as well as Pipo Massa (#19), son of Felipe Massa, Formula One World Championship vice-champion in 2008.

This morning&rsquo;s first free practice session began with a rain shower. Porsche Carrera Cup legend Miguel Paludo (#7) shone beneath the clouds. As five-time winner of the series and currently defending his title, he is one of the favourites. The times continued to improve as the track dried, right up until the end of the session. Pietro Fantin (#117) recorded the morning&rsquo;s fastest time of 4:08.535.

Performance logically improved in the afternoon&rsquo;s session, as drivers got to know the circuit and the track gained grip after the 24 Hours of Le Mans practice sessions. Jeff Giassi (#97) soon went below 4:05. A Full Course Yellow interrupted the chase for the best time. When racing recommenced, Mar&ccedil;al M&uuml;ller (#544), two-time winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil, banked a magnificent 4:05.281 &ndash; by far the best time of the day.

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans Support Race Schedule:

09:00&ndash;09:45: Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil Qualifying 1 
10:15&ndash;11:15: Road to Le Mans Qualifying 
11:55&ndash;12:40 Ferrari Challenge Qualifying 
13:25&ndash;14:15: Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil Race 1 
18:30&ndash;19:15: Ferrari Challenge Race 1

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans support race Free Practice sessions

The Porsche 936 has a special place in the heart of the Belgian driver, who sees his favourite marque make its grand return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year with a hybrid prototype, hoping to add one more to its record of 16 victories. 

	<img class="imgVideo" id="2143" src="/wpphpFichiers/video/2143-porsche-le-mans-legends-jacky-ickx-and-the-936.jpg" />

	See more videos at <a href="http://www.lemans-tv.com/">www.lemans-tv.com</a>.

	Thierry Arman et C&eacute;cile Bonardel / ACO - Translated by Rainier Ehrhardt / ACO

Jacky Ickx and the Porsche 936 : three wins at Mans (video)

Related News

FIA, ACO and Goodyear drive the future of LMGT3 through 2029

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans – Thursday 11/06 Programme

Toyota turn it on at Le Mans to top FP2 and first night-time session

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans support race Free Practice sessions

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