On November 22, 2005, Angela Merkel became the first female German chancellor and has proceeded to serve three consecutive terms. On June 21, 1930, Odette Siko and Marguerite Mareuse became the first women to take the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in a Bugatti Type 40.

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The 2025-26 Asian Le Mans Series concluded with the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi this weekend, with two invitations to the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans (10-14 June 2026) up for grabs. Crowdstrike Racing by APR and Kessel Racing won the golden tickets to the fourth round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

<h2>Crowdstrike Racing by APR</h2>

With its triumph in the 2025-26 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 class, US team Crowdstrike Racing by APR is invited to join the LMP2 field at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans.&nbsp;George Kutz, Malthe Jakobsen and Louis Deletraz shared the wheel as the #4 Oreca 07-Gibson secured three wins and a third place. &ldquo;We got the job done that we came for, which is to win the championship and get the Le Mans entry,&rdquo; said Kutz. &ldquo;Louis and Malthe just did a fantastic job. So much credit goes to the team Crowdstrike by APR, Stew and Sam and the rest of the crew, Jeff, our engineer, just unbelievable. Today didn&#39;t go our way, but at the end of the day, what we care about is the championship, and that&#39;s what we got.&rdquo;

Crowdstrike Racing by APR previously competed in the LMP2 class at Le Mans in 2024. George Kurtz, Colin Braun and Nicky Catsburg did not finish that year.

<h2>Kessel Racing</h2>

The standard of the GT class was particularly high in this year&rsquo;s Asian Le Mans Series with Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche all represented. Kessel Racing&rsquo;s #74 Ferrari 296 GT3 emerged victorious from the select grid and scooped an invitation to run in the LMGT3 class at the forthcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drivers Dustin Scott Blattner, Chris Lulham and Dennis Marschall took the title on the back of their two victories and a third place. &ldquo;I guess we showed very good consistency at most of the rounds, and we showed good pace and this is thanks to a very good driver lineup,&rdquo; Marschall said. &ldquo;We know Chris is super-fast. We know Dustin is fast and consistent, mistake free, and Kessel as well. I think they upped their game in the last two years a lot and this is just the amount of teamwork which was put in.&rdquo;

Kessel Racing has competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times. Last year, the Swiss outfit finished 40th in the overall classification, eighth in the LMGT3 standings &ndash; its best-ever result at the French endurance classic. Takeshi Kimura, Daniel Serra and Casper Stevenson shared driving duties in the #57 Ferrari 296 GT3.

Teams and drivers already invited to the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans

<ul>
	<li>VDS Panis Racing, 2025 ELMS champion (invited to compete in LMP2)</li>
	<li>Inter Europol Competition, 2025 ELMS runner-up (invited to compete in LMP2)</li>
	<li>AO by TF, 2025 LMP2 Pro/Am champion (invited to compete in LMP2)</li>
	<li>CLX Motorsport, 2025 ELMS LMP3 champion (invited to compete in LMP2)</li>
	<li>TF Sport, 2025 ELMS LMGT3 champion (invited to compete in LMGT3)</li>
	<li>PJ Hyett, LMP2 champion and winner of the Jim Trueman Trophy (invited to compete in LMP2)</li>
	<li>Orey Fidani, best GTD Bronze driver and Bob Akin award winner (invited to compete in LMGT3)</li>
</ul>

Crowdstrike and Kessel pick up invitations to the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans

Alpine Endurance Team has begun the 2026 season by testing a new setup of the A424 Hypercar at Portimão. Over and above the initial miles put on the clock, these tests will provide an essential yardstick to gauge the development of a package optimised for an ambitious campaign – especially with an eye to the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans (10-14 June 2026).

The Alpine Endurance Team has kicked off the 2026 season with a test session at the Aut&oacute;dromo Internacional do Algarve &ndash; the first outing of the 2026-spec A424. The test focused on exploring the new technical upgrades and Michelin&rsquo;s new tyres for 2026. Over 1,250 km of useful data will be processed ahead of the next sessions scheduled at Motorland Arag&oacute;n and the FIA World Endurance Championship prologue.

<h2>Targeted developments</h2>

While the team&rsquo;s media release is coy with details of the changes made to the A424, Alpine has targeted improvements to the aerodynamics, mechanical components and tyre use. This work is a natural part of the move to progress and adapt the French hypercar after its first two seasons in the top class of endurance.

&ldquo;These tests were an important step as it was our first full session with the new package, with our upgrades on the A424 and the Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance tyres,&rdquo; said Philippe Sinault. According to the Alpine Endurance Team Principal, the information gathered will set the guidelines for the next stage of development with a view to what promises to be a particularly competitive 2026 season.

One of the key points in pre-season will be how the team and the car adapt to the <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/michelin-designs-a-greener-more-durable-hypercar-tyre-for-2026-59712" target="_blank">new Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance 2026 tyres</a>. Portim&atilde;o offered perfect conditions to investigate optimum use of the new, improved tyre on a dry track.

Ferdinand Habsburg, Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Makowiecki&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/alpine-endurance-team-hires-victor-martins-60211" target="_blank">Victor Martins</a> shared driving duties during the test. &ldquo;These tests were very productive, and we worked hard to collect good information, including tyre data,&rdquo; said Makowiecki. &ldquo;The analysis begins now to identify new ideas to optimise our package.&rdquo;

<h2>Focus on the A424 Hypercar&rsquo;s aerodynamics</h2>

Although Alpine Endurance Team gave few technical details away, the drivers&rsquo; declarations hinted to the importance afforded to the car&rsquo;s aerodynamics. Martins, who discovered the 2026-spec car in Portugal, said: &ldquo;I was particularly impressed by the car&rsquo;s aerodynamic downforce and power. I really enjoyed seeing the precision it requires, especially under braking and at corner entries.&rdquo;

The feedback highlights the changes that will allow the A424 to better exploit its aerodynamic qualities &ndash; an essential factor in being competitive at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, where the balance between peak speed and downforce is crucial.

The team&rsquo;s engineers will now analyse the data gathered during the test. Bruno Famin, Alpine Vice President of Motorsport, pointed out: &ldquo;We have a good foundation on which to refine our package and optimise our use of the different tyre compounds. The first feedbacks are encouraging as we look ahead to our third season in the top-flight category. Our goal is clear: we want to keep improving our performance level to consistently battle at the sharp end of a more competitive field than ever.&rdquo;

With the opening round of the 2026 FIA WEC season, the Qatar 1812 Km, appearing rapidly on the horizon, the A424&rsquo;s preparations continue apace. The Portim&atilde;o tests have allowed Alpine Endurance Team to develop aerodynamic improvements, trial new tyres and integrate a package designed to boost performance. An important step in gearing up for <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/alpine-endurance-team-one-win-in-2025-how-many-in-2026-60143" target="_blank">an ambitious season</a> with sights firmly set on a solid performance at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans and full-season consistency.

&nbsp;

Alpine shakes down 2026-spec A424

Spectators were treated to a thrilling 4 Hours of Dubai this weekend. CrowdStrike Racing by APR completed a sweep of rounds three and four of the 2025-6 Asian Le Mans Series ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

It was a perfect weekend for CrowdStrike Racing by APR at the 4 Hours of Dubai. The double victory puts them back in the running for the championship title, neck and neck with Cetilar Racing. With 80 points apiece, the two teams are set for a head-to-head at the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi on 7-8 February. The title is at stake, and with it an invitation to take part in this year&rsquo;s 24 Hours of Le Mans (10-14 June).

<h2>Two races, one winner: CrowdStrike Racing by APR</h2>

The last 4 Hours of Dubai will no doubt be remembered as having shaped the outcome of the 2025-26 Asian Le Mans Series. Numerous Safety Car periods influenced race tactics in all categories, producing hard-fought battles across the board. CrowdStrike Racing by APR took the upper hand in both 4-hour races.

Race 1 ended in a 21-minute long sprint finish once the field was freed from Safety Car restraint. Louis Deletraz moved through the field in the last quart of an hour to take the lead and secure a prestigious victory for CrowdStrike Racing by APR shared with George Kurtz and Malthe Jakobsen. Still solid, Cetilar Racing took second place, maintaining the pressure for the championship crown.

The next day, Race 2 was just as heart-pounding. CrowdStrike Racing by APR triumphed again in a nail-biting race. All three categories were won with less than two seconds to spare. Louis Deletraz was first across the line for the second time running, having got the better of Algarve Pro Racing&rsquo;s Tom Dillmann in the closing stages.

Initially in third place, Cetilar Racing was moved to second after the finish due to a technical penalty which relegated Algarve Pro Racing to the bottom step. The double win made the perfect result for CrowdStrike Racing by APR and confirms the team&rsquo;s progress.

<h2>Championship undecided</h2>

The two-race sweep puts CrowdStrike Racing by APR and Cetilar Racing in a tie for first place overall, with 80 points each. What better way to end an intense season? 
Several other teams remain in the running, but this weekend&rsquo;s faultless performance gives CrowdStrike Racing by APR a clear psychological advantage.

In LMP3, CLX Motorsport (#17 Ligier JS P3-Toyota ) tops the table. However, the Swiss team has only one point in hand over Inter Europol Competition (#13 Ligier JS P325-Toyota) and eight over Forestier Racing by VPS (#29 Ligier JS P325-Toyota). 
Race 1 class winner Kessel Racing (#74 Ferrari 296 GT3) leads in GT. Manthey (#10 Porsche 911 GT3 R) lies 21 points behind the Swiss outfit. The Getspeed #9 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo ranks third.

<h2>Heading for Abu Dhabi</h2>

The outcome of the 2025-2026 Asian Le Mans Series is yet to be revealed. The field will gather again at the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi next weekend, 7-8 February for the last two races of the season. The championship title hangs on those two races, and with it, a ticket to Le Mans. Teams will be going all-out to clinch first place: class winnners of LMP2 and GT cars in the final standings will be automatically invited to run at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans this June.

Asian Le Mans Series: CrowdStrike Racing by APR hits hard in Dubai

The future M24 – Motorsport Museum is a ground-breaking architectural project set to harness the transmission of a legacy with innovation and environmentally friendly concepts. At the crossroads of the heritage arising from the world’s greatest endurance race, contemporary environmental demands and local appeal, the new cultural facility aims to become a reference point in the word of motorsport.

Located at the entrance to the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans,&nbsp;M24 is preparing to write the next chapter of a story that began over 60 years ago. In 1961, the then president of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest, Jean-Marie Leli&egrave;vre, helped create a museum dedicated to motorsport. The facility was overhauled in 1991 under the aegis of the Sarthe Council before the ACO took over the management of the museum 16 years later to showcase its outstanding heritage more effectively.

The M24 project came to life in 2022 when the collaboration between the ACO and Richard Mille resulted in the founding of a dedicated company, MACO. The project&rsquo;s purpose is clear: to create a resolutely modern, immersive museum to tell the story of motorsport in the broadest sense, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans the natural main theme.

<h2>Architecture inspired by aerodynamics and speed</h2>

The work of Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Audevard, the M24 project boasts a strong architectural identity directly inspired by the world of motor racing. &ldquo;M24 is a true architectural work of art that directly resonates with the world of motor racing,&rdquo; he explains.

Tight lines, smooth volumes, and a sensation of movement, the building evokes the aerodynamics of prototypes racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The visitor traffic flow indoors is designed as an air stream that glides around the car&rsquo;s body. The architecture becomes a natural extension of automotive performance. The generous natural light is controlled to accompany the visitor throughout their tour, while technology brings an added dimension to the immersive scenography.

<h2>An ecoresponsible museum in tune with its environment</h2>

M24 has been designed from the outset with sustainability in mind to meet stringent environmental demands. &ldquo;We opted for a green roof for intelligent rainwater management and in-situ infiltration. We have also chosen sustainable, ecoresponsible materials such as aluminium, which is light, durable and recyclable,&rdquo; the architect added.

M24 is mindful of its location. The unity between architecture and landscape is evident. A responsible approach that is perfectly aligned with the ambitious CSR strategy followed by the ACO since 2021.

<h2>A project with strong local roots that is open to all</h2>

For current ACO president Pierre Fillon, M24 goes far beyond the scope of a traditional cultural venue. &ldquo;M24 is fully part of our global CSR approach. From the outset, the aim has been to create a sober, sustainable, environmentally friendly facility,&rdquo; he says.

Responsibility extends also to the project&rsquo;s economic and societal aspects. No fewer than 23 firms have been called upon, with the majority based in Sarthe. A deliberate choice designed to highlight local skills and irrigate the area&rsquo;s economy. &ldquo;M24 plays an essential societal role as it&rsquo;s not just a museum for car buffs,&rdquo;&nbsp;Fillon continues. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s also planned to be a major cultural venue that will be open to all. It will add to the attractiveness of Le Mans while creating a bond. It will allow us to pass on our common legacy to future generations. M24 is a project that harnesses valuable heritage, economic and human elements.&rdquo;

With an 8,600 m&sup2; surface area dedicated to showcasing a unique heritage, M24 &ndash; Motorsport Museum is the culmination of more than half a century of museum culture supported by the ACO. Deeply rooted in an iconic territory, M24 promises to feature firmly on the bucket list of many people, especially racing fans, who have already noted the opening date of 28 May 2026 in their diary.

<h4>M24 in three key figures</h4>

<ul>
	<li>6,000 m&sup2; of renovated museum</li>
	<li>A 4,000 m&sup2; extension</li>
	<li>Around 50,000 m&sup2; of excavated soil</li>
</ul>

M24 – Motorsport Museum: racing inspiration behind responsible architecture

24 Heures du Mans 1930

The duo crossed the finish line in seventh place overall,&nbsp;second in its class, and returned the following year with the same car (disqualified). In 1932, Odette Siko -&nbsp;who would be at the start four times in all - achieved&nbsp;the best&nbsp;performance for a woman to-date at Le&nbsp;Mans, finishing fourth overall and winning her class with&nbsp;Louis Charavel, alias Sabipa, in an&nbsp;Alfa Romeo&hellip;

Photo: Copyright -&nbsp;Archives/ACO

24H LE MANS

Today's Photo Story - Marguerite Mareuse and Odette Siko, first women at Le Mans in 1930

Related News

Crowdstrike and Kessel pick up invitations to the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans

Alpine shakes down 2026-spec A424

Asian Le Mans Series: CrowdStrike Racing by APR hits hard in Dubai

M24 – Motorsport Museum: racing inspiration behind responsible architecture

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