24h Le Mans
Statistics tell a story. Behind the numbers – 350,105 spectators, 48 leader changes, 5,190 kilometres – there’s a tale of of human interaction, a global event. Once again the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans was the scene of an extravaganza of speed, endurance and heartfelt emotion. Let’s take a look at the stand-out figures from last weekend’s race that demonstrate the intensity of the world’s greatest endurance event.
Attendance at the circuit increased yet again with 350,105 people in the grounds. Le Mans is more than a race, it’s an all-encompassing event.
In the grandstands, on the viewing banks, in the campsites and fan zones, several generations shared in the fun. Le Mans draws people from all over the world, gathered for the same week-long event.
Thanks to the #7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid’s star performance, Toyota scores a sixth win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, equalling Bentley, and confirming the manufacturer as one of the makes to beat when it comes to the French classic.
Drivers Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi celebrate their second win, the first being in 2021. The third crew member, Nyck de Vries joins the select club of 24 Hours of Le Mans winners, the third Dutchman to do so, Gijs van Lennep and Jan Lammers having shown the way.
A trifling 10.621 seconds separated the winning car from the second-placed #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 – BMW M Team WRT.
Amazing, after 24 Hours and over 5,000 kilometres. It’s the fourth smallest gap in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and glaring proof of the fierce competition in the Hypercar class.
On the way to victory, the #7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid covered a distance of 5,190.33 kilometres at an average speed of 215.8 kph. The distance equates to 381 laps. The distance record is held by the 2010 winning Audi R15+ TDi which spanned 5,410.713 kilometres.
The fastest lap in the 94th race was recorded by Ryō Hirakawa in the #8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid. The car’s 306th lap was completed in 3:25.041, which is 1.022 seconds faster than last year’s best mark, and shows that the Hypercars are still improving. As the years go by, the field has grown and become more and more competitive, encouraging manufacturers to keep refining their cars and their strategy.
This was Le Mans as we like it – an ongoing wrangle for the top spot.
The #12 Cadillac V-Series.R held on to the lead for 128 laps, longer than the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 (79 laps) and the #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid (74 laps). The winning car, the #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid crept up stealthily, and headed the pack for 44 laps. In this race, it’s not always the car that leads for the longest that wins, it’s the car in front when the clock strikes 16:00.
The other classes were equally eventful: 52 leader changes in LMP2 and 48 in LMGT3.
The top speed of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans was hit in the ninth lap. Earl Bamber clocked 351.8 kph in the #38Cadillac V-Series.R on the Mulsanne Straight.
In the other classes, the bar was high too:
This data is a reminder that Le Mans is one of the most demanding and fastest development platforms in world motorsport.
Thanks to the #7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid, Michelin scores a 35th win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Better still, the French manufacturer boasts its 29th victory in a row. The win takes Michelin ahead of Dunlop in the 24 Hours of Le Mans tyre manufacturer charts.
Only 13 of the 62 starters failed to cross the finish line. This statistic reveals the exceptional reliability achieved by modern-day constructors and race teams. Yet, even in this high-tech era, Le Mans continues to be a test of time and reaching the chequered flag is a triumph in itself.
From the packed grandstands to the strategic onslaughts, the 94th 24 Hours Of Le Mans once again show why this race is unique.
Statistics reflect performance. Images evoke emotion. Together, they form a motto: for the space of 24 Hours, Le Mans is where the impossible becomes possible.
The 95t 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place from 10–13 June. McLaren and Ford will be joining the Hypercar class alongside Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Toyota and Genesis. The race will be the fifth on the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar. In the meantime, watch the highlights of this year’s race below.
