Le Mans 24 Hours

24 Heures du Mans

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Asian LMSC

Michelin Le Mans Cup

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MissionH24

Innovations

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Historique

Le Mans Legends

Le Mans Legendes

<p>This modern and welcoming space is the ideal place to relax while you watch the action on the track. It has a lovely restaurant and a vast terrace that offers stunning views of the famous Corvette Corner.</p><p><br></p><p>You can even head to the entertainment area on the ground floor, which is equipped with driving simulators, dart boards, a pool table and a host of other activities to keep everyone entertained.</p>

Starter 24

TERRACE WITH VIEW OF THE TRACK

CATERING AND OPEN BAR

24 HOURS OF LE MANS GIFT

GENERALE ADMISSION

PARKING

KARTING SESSION

wednesday, thursday, saturday & sunday 

PRACTICES + RACE

wednesday or thursday 

PRACTICES

ALL_INCLUSIVE

<p>From the grandstand, let yourself be transported by the spectacle on the track: cars skimming the kerbs, the excitement of the start ceremony... An ideal experience to enjoy the magic of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and savour the atmosphere !</p>

Village hospitality

Pavillon 24

GRIDWALK

PADDOCK ACCESS

CATERING & OPEN-BAR

GENERALE ADMISSION AND GRANDSTAND SEAT 

wednesday, thursday, saturday & sunday

wednesday or thursday

<p>In a prime location right by the paddocks and pitlane building, the Le Mans Spirit Club - official FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP hospitality - opens out onto a stunning terrace with outstanding views of the legendary Motul Raccordement Corner.</p><p><br></p><p>Interested in this VIP package for another FIA World Endurance Championship race? Book now by <a href="https://www.fiawec.com/en/page/welcome-to-our-world/2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">clicking here</a></p>

360° VISIT

Le Mans Spirit Club

CATERING

LOCATED AT THE RACCORDEMENT

from wednesday to sunday

WEEK 

<p>An exclusive outdoor space allows you to watch the action on the circuit while revelling in the race's characteristic atmosphere. Throughout the day and night, our high-class services and activity schedule keep you entertained for a truly unforgettable event.</p>

Panoramic 24 lounge

Panoramic 24

PITWALK TICKET

EXCLUSIVE VIEXPOINTS

wednesday to sunday

WEEK

<p>Step behind the scenes of this thrilling event, savour the moment in our high-class reception areas and enjoy a carefully-orchestrated event that combines elegance with excitement.</p><p><br></p><p>From sunrise to sunset, a full schedule of activities will be rolled out just for you, to fully immerse you in the thrill of the race.</p>

Private Pitlounge

Gold experience

PADDOCK & GRIDWALK

EXCLUSIVE VIEWPOINTS

TRACK LAP

HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER THE TRACK

PIT VISIT

from friday to sunday

RACE

Terrace 24

TERRACE WITH A VIEW OVER THE TRACK

PRIVATE VENUE UP TO 18 GUESTS

CATERING AND BEVERAGE SERVICE

FURNITURE INCLUDED

PRIVATE

Single lounge

Pitlounge 24

CUSTOMISABLE AREA

PRIVATE SUITE

COMMANDING VIEW OVER THE PITLANE

LIVE TV

ACCESS FROM WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

<p>Discover a Vip experience in the heart of the race. Enjoy a unique moment, with the best views of the track, day and night. Enter the legend.</p>

Hospitality

From 2-5 July, the Le Mans Classic Legend is offering spectators a journey through the history of endurance racing.  Among the iconic cars set to participate in this event is the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S. With its massive bonnet, thunderous naturally aspirated V8 and unconventional design, the American racing star flawlessly represents the intrepidity forever fuelling the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

<p>Any time&nbsp;the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S barrels down&nbsp;the pit straight or emerges at the end of&nbsp;Mulsanne, its presence on the scene is undeniable. More than 25&nbsp;years after taking the start in the 1999 24 Hours, this&nbsp;car still causes a sensation, and to see it on the track at the Le Mans Classic reminds us of&nbsp;an era when engineers still dared to do things strictly their way.</p>

<h2>a&nbsp;silhouette that defies&nbsp;convention</h2>

<p>In the late 1990s, most prototypes entered in the 24 Hours adopted a mid-rear engine architecture, but&nbsp;Panoz choice otherwise.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;car&#39;s carbon-fibre&nbsp;bodywork houses&nbsp;a carbon-fibre&nbsp;single shell&nbsp;chassis. But its&nbsp;truly distinctive feature is found at the&nbsp;front, namely&nbsp;a massive, naturally aspirated 6-litre&nbsp;Ford V8 prepared&nbsp;by Robert Yates, a renowned&nbsp;figure in American motorsport and NASCAR. Producing around 600 hp, this engine gives the Panoz a one-of-a-kind&nbsp;mechanical signature.</p>

<p>With its extended bonnet&nbsp;and pushed back cockpit, the LMP-1 Roadster S looks&nbsp;more like the&nbsp;Batmobile zipping around the circuit&nbsp;than it does a traditional prototype. It is no surprise the car&#39;s&nbsp;striking silhouette&nbsp;quickly made it a crowd favourite!</p>

<h2>1999 24 hours of Le Mans: all eyes on&nbsp;the underdog</h2>

<p>Unveiled mere&nbsp;weeks ahead of&nbsp;the pre-qualifying sessions in&nbsp;1999, the Panoz immediately dazzled the crowd thanks to its show-stopping&nbsp;appearance and the inimitable roar of its V8 engine.</p>

<p>The American team fielded two cars in the race&nbsp;manned&nbsp;by an impressive&nbsp;list&nbsp;of celebrated&nbsp;drivers&nbsp;including&nbsp;David Brabham, &Eacute;ric Bernard, Jan Magnussen, Johnny O&rsquo;Connell, Butch Leitzinger&nbsp;and Max Angelelli.</p>

<p>If any uncertainty existed relative to the Panoz&#39;s true potential, it&nbsp;centered more on reliability than performance. A few weeks before the race, an endurance test was conducted at the Paul Ricard circuit, cut short after 20 hours due to a head gasket failure. The team&nbsp;focused its&nbsp;final efforts on cooling and aerodynamics.</p>

<p>During the 1999 24 Hours, the&nbsp;#12 shared by&nbsp;Brabham, Bernard and&nbsp;Leitzinger managed to overcome&nbsp;a gearbox change and the replacement of an oil cooler to finish in seventh place overall. The impressive result solidified&nbsp;the project&#39;s credibility up&nbsp;against&nbsp;the giants of that era.</p>

MCA_25LMC_DSC05765.JPG

ORJ_25LMC_DSC_5907.jpg

<h2>experience it in person</h2>

<p>Seeing a photo of a Panoz is one thing, but seeing it in action is something else entirely.</p>

<p>The Le Mans Classic Legend is making this&nbsp;rare opportunity a reality. Don&#39;t miss the chance to watch&nbsp;up close a car designed in an era when regulations still left plenty to the&nbsp;imagination, and to&nbsp;hear the distinctive thunder&nbsp;of its V8 echoing&nbsp;again around the 24 Hours circuit!</p>

<p>Along with the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S, Grid 8 will re-shine a well-deserved spotlight&nbsp;on&nbsp;some of the most legendary&nbsp;cars of the second half of the 1990s.</p>

<h2>living history</h2>

<p>The Le Mans Classic Legend is not an open-air museum. It is a living celebration of the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!&nbsp;Every car that hits the track tells a chapter of this century-long adventure. The Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S is all about&nbsp;boldness, the story of an American manufacturer who&nbsp;chose to follow its own path.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Le Mans Classic Legend will be held from&nbsp;2-5 July.&nbsp;Purchase your&nbsp;tickets now on the&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/ticketing/" target="_blank">official ticketing website</a></strong>.</p>

Le Mans Classic Legend: the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S from the 1999 24 Hours is back!

In 2027, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be welcoming McLaren Racing to the Hypercar class. In addition, McLaren Trophy Europe will one of the curtain raisers, making Le Mans race week a celebration of the British marque.

<p>A spectacular field of McLaren racing cars is set to gather next year at the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans, with rounds three and four of <strong>McLaren Trophy Europe</strong> on the billing as support races for the 95th running of France&rsquo;s endurance classic. These fixtures are scheduled before the main event, which sees two <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/in-2027-mclaren-return-to-le-mans-to-pick-up-where-they-left-off-60760">McLaren MCL-HY Hypercars</a> compete in the top class, in addition to the McLaren GT3 EVOs fielded in LMGT3.</p>

<h2>Le Mans, the ultimate playground for a McLaren get-together</h2>

<p>McLaren Trophy Europe at Le Mans weaves a thread, making the special occasion a celebration of history and future. The 2027 support races will allow drivers from McLaren Trophy America to compete as guest entries, alongside teams running current McLaren GT3 EVO and GT4-spec customer racing cars. The multi-class format will make the event the largest gathering of McLaren GT racing cars ever assembled in competition.</p>

<p>Nick Collins, CEO, McLaren Automotive:<strong> <em>&ldquo;To have McLaren Trophy Europe racing at Le Mans in 2027, the year we make <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/mclaren-mcl-hy-a-name-with-a-hint-of-promise-for-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-60533">our debut in the Hypercar class</a>, will make the event incredibly special. The fact that it will also be an invitational race for our GT3 and GT4 clients, as well as open to our McLaren Trophy America competitors, will mark this out as a true celebration of McLaren. What better place than Le Mans &ndash; part of our Triple Crown legacy &ndash; to recognise this.&rdquo;</em></strong></p>

<p>Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest: <em><strong>&ldquo;Welcoming McLaren Trophy Europe to Le Mans in 2027 will add another strong dimension to what is already shaping up to be a very special edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren is part of the history of our race, and its return to the top class with the MCL-HY is a powerful symbol of the momentum currently driving endurance racing. Bringing together Hypercar, GT3, GT4 and McLaren Trophy competitors during the same week will create a unique celebration for the brand, its customers and the fans. Le Mans has always been a place where heritage and the future meet, and this announcement perfectly reflects that spirit.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p>The 95th 24 Hours Of Le Mans will be more than a race. It is already set to be a culmination of racing joy, with McLaren treating its fans to its full spectrum of race cars, from GT to highly-developed prototype.</p>

McLaren Trophy Europe to be a support fixture at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans

Following the cancellation of Purple Disco Machine’s upcoming dates due to health reasons, Le Mans Classic Legend is adjusting its musical lineup for Friday, July 3.

<p>The event is pleased to welcome <strong>Polo &amp; Pan</strong>, a leading figure in the French electronic music scene, who will perform at this year&rsquo;s event.</p>

<p>Polo &amp; Pan are timeless. The Parisian duo of <strong>Paul Armand-Delille (Polo)</strong> and <strong>Alexandre Grynszpan (Pan)</strong> make music that flicks like frames through Golden Era Hollywood films, delivered with a deft <strong>French touch</strong> that playfully imbues house, disco, and electro in service one of the most compelling acts in dance music right now.</p>

<p>While tracks like <em>&lsquo;Canop&eacute;e&rsquo;</em> and <em>&lsquo;Dorothy&rsquo;</em> are now essential playing for any rooftop or beachside party no matter your latitude, <strong>Polo &amp; Pan&rsquo;s live performances bring their music to life with a sparkling vibrancy</strong>. One look around the dancefloor&mdash;whether it&rsquo;s sold-out US tours or major festival performances&mdash;and you&rsquo;ll see smiles, pretenses dropped, and earnest joy on the faces around you. That, more than their cultured heritage, global appeal, or history of underground hits, might be the Polo &amp; Pan&rsquo;s most remarkable quality. As is the case for many iconoclasts, It may have taken some time for the world-at-large to catch Polo &amp; Pan&rsquo;s creative drift, but now we are all very much along for the voyage.</p>

<p>This announcement further strengthens <strong>a lineup designed to make Le Mans Classic Legend one of the summer&rsquo;s must-attend events</strong> at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit!</p>

<p>Informations &amp; ticketing: <a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/ticketing/" target="_blank"><u><strong>www.lemansclassic.com</strong></u></a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Polo and Pan joins the Le Mans Classic Lineup

We’ve crunched the numbers for you! Here are the statistics of the 94th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, won by the Toyota Gazoo Racing #7 Toyota TR010 Hybrid.

<h2>1963 marshals &ndash; put safety first</h2>

<p>They were ready and waiting before the engines even started. The 1,963 track marshals posted around the 13.626-kilometre 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit ensured the security of the 186 drivers who took part in the race.</p>

<p>Throughout the day, and night, in the sunshine and in the darkness, these women and men are the trackside eyes and arms of Race Control. Their presence is vital.</p>

<h2>29,446 overtakes &ndash; keep attacking</h2>

<p>This year&rsquo;s race included 29,446 overtakes. And 101 of those passes enabled a competitor to take the overall lead. The remainder illustrates the exceptionally dense traffic generated by the cohabitation of 62 LMGT3s and prototypes on the track.</p>

<p>At Le Mans, every lap involves juggling speed with track conditions and traffic.</p>

<h2>1,849 pit stops &ndash; employ the best tactics</h2>

<p>Replace four tyres. Fill the fuel tank. Adjust a setting. Change drivers. In total, the 62 teams made 1,849 <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/pit-stop-tactics-a-major-factor-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-60740">pit stops</a> in 24 hours.</p>

<p>Behind the number are thousands of millimetre-perfect actions. Seconds gained or lost can be the difference between winning and losing.</p>

<h2>2 safety car interventions &ndash; proceed with caution</h2>

<p>The safety cars were deployed twice during the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans. In all, the race was run under safety car conditions for 2 hours, 16 minutes and 24 seconds.</p>

<p>Race neutralisation is an integral part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It sometimes reshuffles the cards by closing gaps between cars, sparking new battles when the course is declared green. The pecking order is never set in stone, even after several hours.</p>

<h2>4 Slow Zones &ndash; decrease the pace</h2>

<p>Slow zones keep everyone safe while a specific portion of the circuit is being cleared, usually of debris.</p>

<p>There were four this year, totalling 20 minutes and 50 seconds. A trifle. However, team engineers and strategists see these periods as windows of opportunity, or potential traps. Either way, slow zones can be game changers.</p>

<h2>8 Full Course Yellows &ndash; remain in control</h2>

<p>Eight full course yellow procedures were called during the race, affecting racing for 32 minutes.</p>

<p>During a full course yellow, competitors must keep to a speed limit on the whole circuit. This safety measure requires concentration and discipline, even when adrenaline is in full flow.</p>

<h2>177 laps &ndash; Push boundaries</h2>

<p>Even when tiredness sets in, drivers continue, lap after lap, with the same degree of precision.<br />
This year, Will Stevens, driver of the #12 Cadillac V-Series.R entered by Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA spent most time at the wheel. The British driver completed 177 laps in the Hypercar. That&rsquo;s 2,400 kilometres driving at very high speed.</p>

<p>His performance is the perfect illustration of the physical and mental demands of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<p>Maxime Martin on the other hand, was only able to complete ten laps of the Iron Lynx #61 Mercedes-AMG before a suspension failure ended its race. That&rsquo;s also a familiar scenario at Le Mans. Sometimes, the 24 hours are cut short by a mechanical failure, despite months of preparation.</p>

<h2>Every number tells a story</h2>

<p>The classification table shows winners and points attributed. Statistics tell the real story.</p>

<p>The 29,446 overtakes, 1,849 pit stops and the 1,963 marshals convey the true scale of this one-of-a-kind event. Drivers, mechanics, engineers, officials, marshals and spectators all contribute to the legend of Le Mans. This race is a tale of speed, stamina, superb teamwork and strong feelings.</p>

<h2>8,000 participants &ndash; Act together for the future</h2>

<p>The 24 Hours of Le Mans is above all about people working together. The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans Impact Challenge was entered by 8,000 participants, all working towards a concrete goal.</p>

<p>This year&rsquo;s spectators opted to include a challenge in their experience of Le Mans 24 Hours. There are thousands of ways to enjoy race week!</p>

<h2>245,000 missions accomplished &ndash; Step right up!</h2>

<p>Together, participants accomplished 245,000 Impact Challenge missions during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.</p>

<p>This impressive figure is the result of individual actions that together make a difference on a large scale. Just like in an endurance racing crew, where every stint contributes to the overall result.</p>

<h2>67 partners &ndash; Work as a team</h2>

<p>The Impact Challenge continues to expand thanks to the level of engagement from all involved. No less than 67 partners supported the scheme this year. Their involvement illustrates the 24 Hours of Le Mans spirit, gathering people from a variety of backgrounds to work towards a common goal.</p>

<h2>3,800 prizes &ndash; Reward commitment</h2>

<p>The Impact Challenge isn&rsquo;t all about giving; many participants win some enviable prizes to reward their efforts. This year, 3,800 prizes were distributed, including 281 exclusive experiences with &ldquo;backstage&rdquo; access to the 24 Hours of Le Mans: pit lane garage tours, VIP hospitality and Grid Walk passes offering the 414 lucky Impact Challenge participants a chance to see another side of the race.</p>

<p>Le Mans week can involve so much more than watching a race. It can mean getting close to the beating heart of the event.</p>

<p>Because endurance racing isn&rsquo;t just about competition, it&rsquo;s also a community pulling together to build unforgettable memories.</p>

<p>See below for an overview of this year&rsquo;s 24 Hours of Le Mans CSR performance:</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

24 Heures du Mans 2026 - OFFICIAL AFTERMOVIE

L'aftermovie officiel des 24 Heures du Mans 2026

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans more post-race number crunching

Le Mans Classic Legend and Artcurial Motorcars are pleased to announce their partnership to organize the official auction for the 2026 edition, which will take place on Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. at the heart of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit.

<p>A long-standing partner of the world&rsquo;s premier automotive events, Artcurial Motorcars marks its return to Le Mans with <strong>a selection of 71 lots</strong>. Bringing together <strong>more than a century of automotive history</strong>, this auction will showcase iconic models, several of which played a direct role in the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Among the highlights are a <strong>1966 factory-spec Porsche 906 Carrera 6</strong>, an <strong>Alpine A450B</strong> that competed in the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, a <strong>Mirage M3 Spyder</strong> that won at Imola with Jacky Ickx, a <strong>Duckhams LM</strong>&mdash;Gordon Murray&rsquo;s first design&mdash;and an authentic <strong>Lotus Type 78</strong>, the first Formula 1 car in history to feature ground effect.</p>

© Kevin Van Campenhout - Porsche 906 Carrera.jpg

©Jean-Marie Biadatti-Duckhams Le Mans.jpg

©Dennis Noten - Lotus 78 Formule 1 Ex-Team Lotus Works_2.jpg

<p>For more than twenty years, Le Mans Classic has established itself as one of the world&rsquo;s largest gatherings dedicated to historic automobiles. Co-organized by <strong>Peter Auto</strong> and the <strong>Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest</strong>, the event celebrates the unique legacy of the 24 Hours of Le Mans by bringing together the cars that have shaped the history of endurance racing.</p>

<p>In addition to this official auction, <strong>Artcurial Motorcars</strong> will also hold <strong>an online auction from July 2 to 8, 2026</strong>. Displayed in the <strong>Rotonde at the Parc des Expositions</strong> throughout the event, this selection of <strong>some sixty automobiles will span more than 125 years of automotive history</strong>. Nearly <strong>90% of the lots will be offered without a reserve price</strong>, providing an opportunity to acquire a classic car under particularly attractive conditions.</p>

<p>Through this partnership, Le Mans Classic Legend and Artcurial Motorcars share a common ambition: to celebrate automotive history, preserve our heritage, and offer enthusiasts from around the world a unique experience, bringing them closer to the Le Mans legend.</p>

<p style="text-align: center;">Informations et sales catalog :<br />
<a href="https://www.artcurial.com/en/sales/6604" target="_blank"><u><strong>Le Mans Classic Legend - Official Auction</strong></u></a></p>

Le Mans Classic Legend : discover the lots of the Artcurial Motorcars auction

Winner 27 years ago, BMW returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium last Sunday. The second place for the BMW M Team WRT #20 confirms that the Munich-based carmaker is well and truly back at the top of endurance racing.

<p>It was almost an even more spectacular comeback: having taken the lead several times, the <strong>#20 BMW M Hybrid V8</strong> was a credible candidate for victory. At the finish, the car was a mere 10.9 seconds behind the winning Toyota. In the hands of drivers Robin Frijns, Ren&eacute; Rast and Sheldon van der Linde, BMW take their first overall podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since the <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-bmws-astonishing-1999-v12-lmr-56547" target="_blank"><u><strong>BMW V12 LMR</strong></u></a> won the 1999 race.</p>

<h2>79 laps in the lead</h2>

<p>For BMW M Team WRT, the 94th 24 Hours Of Le Mans was special even before the race start. The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 claimed <strong>BMW&rsquo;s first Le Mans Hyperpole&nbsp;in the Hypercar era</strong>, sending a clear message to their opponents and confirming their progress since rejoining the &eacute;lite of endurance racing.</p>

<p>In the race, the #20 BMW was quick to deliver on the promise. Solid traffic management and excellent performance in all track conditions enabled BMW M Team WRT to figure among the front-runners and to take the lead several times.<br />
With six hours left on the clock, a safety car intervention regrouped the leaders, causing a scrabble for position. The final sprint lived up to expectations. Despite remarkable resistance, the <strong>BMW had to be content with second place</strong>.</p>

<p>Head of BMW M Motorsport, <strong>Andreas Roos</strong>, was delighted: <strong>&ldquo;What a magnificent and historic result! Pole position and second place on the podium &ndash; incredible! We have worked for years to be successful at Le Mans again, and now we have reaped the reward with second place.&rdquo;</strong></p>

<h2>A clean run</h2>

<p>Aside from the points it earns the team, the result illustrates how far BMW&rsquo;s Hypercar programme has come. In a class where every detail is important, BMW M Team WRT delivered an exemplary performance.</p>

<p>Vincent Vosse, Team Principal, BMW M Team WRT: <em><strong>&ldquo;That was one of the strongest races we have ever had as a team with the BMW M Hybrid V8. Absolutely flawless. No penalties, no bad pit stops &ndash; nothing. We are one unit, we are making progress, and we deserved this podium.&quot;</strong></em></p>

<p>Proficient from start to finish, BMW gave the crowd an impressive show of fighting spirit right to the end.</p>

<p>Within the crew of the #20, emotions ran high, matching their performance. Finishing in the top three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a rare accomplishment. But coming so close to victory can be frustrating.</p>

<p><strong>Robin Frijns</strong>: <em><strong>&ldquo;I honestly don&rsquo;t quite know what to say yet. Second place at Le Mans is a fantastic achievement, but seeing the victory so close does hurt a bit. We led for long stretches of the race, but in the end, second place was the maximum we could achieve after the safety car.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>Ren&eacute; Rast</strong> felt the same: <em><strong>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a bittersweet podium. On the one hand, it&rsquo;s a great achievement to be on the podium at Le Mans. The team and we as drivers did everything right, I would say. But unfortunately, Le Mans didn&rsquo;t choose us as winners this time.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>Sheldon van der Linde</strong> summed up the overall feeling: <em><strong>&quot;At first, I don&rsquo;t really know whether to laugh or cry. When you finish just ten seconds behind the winner after 24 hours, it&rsquo;s not easy to accept at first. But if we look at the past two years and see the huge progress we&rsquo;ve made, we can be very proud.&quot;</strong></em></p>

<p>As runners-up, BMW leave Le Mans certain of having reached a milestone. 27 years on from its last podium place in the overall ranking, the German marque is well and truly back among the major players in endurance racing.</p>

<p>At Le Mans, a result can be much more than a line on a timesheet. Behind this one is a tale of perseverance and meticulous preparation to climb back to the top. BMW&rsquo;s second place is a reminder of why we love the 24 Hours of Le Mans so much: because it always makes for an enthralling story.</p>

10 Seconds From Glory: BMW M Motorsport at Le Mans

24 Heures du Mans 2026 : BMW M Team WRT à dix secondes de la gloire

27 years on, BMW returns to the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium

A night spent at Tertre Rouge. A sunrise watched from the Ferris wheel. The roar of a V12 engine approaching in the darkness. A long-awaited victory. Days after the finish of the 94th 24 Hours, personal highlights continue to play back in the minds of fans who were there. We asked them which one moment they would most love to relive. Their answers reveal the magic of Le Mans better than any race results ever could.

<p>Before you read on, here&rsquo;s a tip: put on &quot;Tropic&quot; by SebastiAn. That particular song&nbsp;&mdash; which echoes through the circuit&rsquo;s speakers during the formation lap &mdash; holds a strange power,&nbsp;the ability to transport you&nbsp;instantly back to Le Mans.</p>

<p>The 94th running of the race&nbsp;delivered its fair share of thrills, dramatic twists&nbsp;and moments that seemed to make time stand still.&nbsp;While the&nbsp;<strong>win clinched by Toyota Racing&#39;s #7&nbsp;Toyota TR010 Hybrid</strong>, the stunning face-offs&nbsp;and the heroic driver performances leave lasting impressions, the most cherished memories are often created off the track and make you keep coming back for more.</p>

<h2>after night falls</h2>

<p>For many spectators, especially those experiencing their first&nbsp;24 Hours in person, the most vivid memory begins when the sun disappears behind the grandstands.</p>

<p>As night falls, the circuit takes on&nbsp;a new&nbsp;atmosphere. Headlights pierce the darkness, braking maneuvers turn into red-hot flashes&nbsp;and every overtaking&nbsp;by the Hypercars, LMP2s&nbsp;and LMGT3s feels even more intense. Whether at Tertre Rouge, along the pit straight&nbsp;or atop the Ferris wheel, fans have enjoyed moments they still struggle to put into words.</p>

<p>After dark on&nbsp;Saturday, a massive fireworks display blanketed&nbsp;the circuit. Drones traced laser-precision&nbsp;shapes in the sky. Cars sped passed spectators in a blur of light and colour.</p>

<p>Everyone speaks of how special the &quot;night&quot; is at Le Mans. As if that single word were enough to sum up the experience!</p>

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<h2>a sunrise like none other</h2>

<p>Every running of the 24 Hours&nbsp;has its own identifiable and iconic images. The sunrise is definitely included in the highlight reel this year.&nbsp;Some watched it from the Ferris wheel, others&nbsp;from the spectator mounds. All described the same sensation: it was like witnessing a moment suspended in time.</p>

<p>At Le Mans, the sunrise&nbsp;is a transformative experience, an emotion shared by thousands who start to&nbsp;understand why this event holds such a special place in the hearts of so many racing enthusiasts.</p>

AVA_2624A_RAV3_8468.jpg

<h2>nail-biter battles</h2>

<p>This year, the&nbsp;duels between&nbsp;Toyota Racing, BMW M Team WRT and&nbsp;Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA took centre stage at the race. So much was still up in the air&nbsp;right up to the final moments as fans were kept on the edge of their seats watching leader changes,&nbsp;divergent pit stop strategies&nbsp;and gaps that seemed&nbsp;they would never widen.</p>

<p>When Toyota Racing finally returned to the top step of the podium after a few years of attempts to reclaim the trophy, the emotion was palpable in the grandstands and on social media alike.&nbsp;Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the result of thousands of kilometres covered, split-second decisions&nbsp;and a collective commitment across&nbsp;an entire year.</p>

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<h2>soul-penetrating engine roars</h2>

<p>The roar of the V12 engines powering&nbsp;Aston Martin THOR Team&#39;s&nbsp;Aston Martin Valkyries made an everlasting&nbsp;impression on the crowd throughout race&nbsp;week. Also, the sound of the Cadillac V-Series.R cars&nbsp;fielded by&nbsp;Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA and Cadillac WTR was&nbsp;frequently cited as one of the most exciting things at&nbsp;the 2026&nbsp;24 Hours.</p>

<p>Regulars know it. Newcomers quickly learn&nbsp;it. Le Mans is not just something you&nbsp;watch. It&#39;s an experience that engages all your&nbsp;senses. A racing&nbsp;car approaching in the night. The vibrations felt behind the guardrail. The echo of engines in the grandstands. The sounds&nbsp;remain etched in your mind&nbsp;long after returning home.</p>

<h2>The most precious memories are not always created on the track</h2>

<p>Amidst the sporting&nbsp;feats and sensational&nbsp;outcomes,&nbsp;another emotion consistently recurs in spectator&nbsp;accounts: a sense of sharing.</p>

<p>Sharing your first 24 Hours of Le Mans&nbsp;weekend or race week with your partner. Introducing your son to the&nbsp;free practice and qualifying sessions. Watching the race while sitting on the grass with friends. Riding the Ferris wheel with your&nbsp;family as the cars sprint&nbsp;on below. These moments don&rsquo;t appear in any race standings. Yet, they are often the first memories that come to mind long after&nbsp;the chequered flag is waved.</p>

<p>With a few days in the rearview after this year&#39;s 24 Hours, one certainty remains: everyone would gladly go back to experience a sunrise, a battle for victory, a night at Tertre Rouge&nbsp;or simply a moment shared trackside with loved ones.</p>

<p>And that is undoubtedly the finest sign that the magic of Le Mans has worked its spell once again.</p>

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans – Fan-favourite moments

Genesis Magma Racing achieved a feat at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by finishing one of the world’s most gruelling motorsport races. Not only did one of their Hypercars reach the chequered flag, the team was among the leaders for several hours, amassing precious data for the pursuit of the South Korean manufacturer’s campaign.

<p>This d&eacute;but was more than an appearance, it was a declaration of intent. As <strong>the first South Korean car manufacturer to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans</strong>, and the first to reach the finish, Genesis has already made its mark, and attracted attention in the pit lane.</p>

<p><strong>Genesis Magma Racing</strong> came to Le Mans with all the humility that is de rigeur when joining a field seasoned competitors, ready to learn, and also with the intention of racing towards their destiny. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/2026-24-hours-of-le-mans-the-low-down-on-the-genesis-magma-racing-hypercar-60714" target="_blank"><u><strong>GMR-001-Hypercar</strong></u></a>. had completed only three races before Le Mans. Yet from the beginning of the week, both cars showed that they hadn&rsquo;t come to be bystanders. They claimed <strong>P6 and P9 on the starting grid</strong>, confirming the potential that many had already sensed was there.</p>

<h2>Uncovering potential</h2>

<p>Motivated by a competitive spirit, Genesis Magma Racing could have been tempted to aim for the top straightaway. Instead, they opted for patience. Mastery. Rather than a quick win, <strong>they set out to build consistency and operational efficiency</strong>, proving that the two GMR-001-Hypercars could keep pace with the top teams on the grid.</p>

<p>Impeccable pit stops and intelligent neutralisation management helped move them through the ranks. A strategic choice to keep both cars out during a safety car period took them to the same lap as the leader, not far from the front-runners.</p>

<p>During the night, when the race often reveals its true nature, excellent performance from <strong>Mathieu Jaminet</strong> in the #19 and <strong>Mathys Jaubert</strong> in the #17 demonstrated a project well on the way to maturity. <strong>Genesis Magma Racing were even among the front-runners </strong>for several hours. Jaminet was in fourth place, confirming the car&rsquo;s speed.</p>

<p>Around 04:00, the #19 suffered a technical issue requiring a <strong>restart on track</strong> between Mulsanne Corner and Indianapolis. The same worry reappeared moments later, dashing hopes of featuring high in the classification. As for the #17, a suspension issue ended its d&eacute;but 24 Hours of Le Mans after 16 hours of racing.</p>

<p>Many newcomers would have been discouraged. Not Genesis Magma Racing. On the contrary, the team demonstrated the resilience required to excel in endurance racing. The team <strong>focused all their efforts on getting the #19 to the chequered flag</strong>.</p>

<p>After 372 laps, <strong>Paul-Loup Chatin</strong>, <strong>Mathieu Jaminet </strong>and <strong>Dani Juncadella</strong> achieved <strong>13th place in the overall classification</strong>. The result is the culmination of hours of development, testing and teamwork.</p>

<p><em><strong>&ldquo;It&#39;s definitely been a roller coaster for us, but that&#39;s what you expect in your first 24 Hours, as a new team, a new car. Obviously, I think we showed better pace than maybe we expected. For sure we had a couple of issues, but we fought back. [...] No one ever gave up. We just made history. The first ever Korean brand to make it to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first one for Genesis,&rdquo;</strong></em> said Mathieu Jaminet after the race.</p>

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<h2>The first step on the way to the top</h2>

<p>Finishing a 24-hour race is a victory in itself. Genesis Magma Racing&rsquo;s foundational Le Mans garnered the data and experience the team needs to continue developing the GMR-001-Hypercar.</p>

<p>Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul&rsquo;s appraisal reveals the spirit of the project: <em><strong>&ldquo;Our first 24 Hours of Le Mans with Genesis Magma Racing ends on a positive note. Getting one car to the finish was our main objective. [...] The #17 unfortunately retired with suspension failure. We faced a number of reliability challenges which will be our priority moving forward. Despite this, the car showed strong potential throughout the week, especially during the first half of the race, where we were consistently fighting inside the top 10. While we faced challenges, the team showed great resilience, composure and teamwork.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>

<p>In an exacting class, where every detail is important, and faced with experienced world-class oponents, Genesis Magma Racing have proved they are quick to learn. Andr&eacute; Lotterer, three-time winner of the French 24-hour marathon and one of the project&rsquo;s lynchpins:<strong>&nbsp;<em>&ldquo;We definitely showed the world who Genesis is. I think we surprised a few people and achieved more than we could hope for with our new team, new car, new brand, everything. But our engine lasted, everything around it lasted until that point and we didn&#39;t have any big problems during the race which was quite remarkable. We need to study and come back stronger, but I think for our first Le Mans appearance it was very positive, especially with the sister car reaching the finish to complete the weekend.&rdquo;</em></strong></p>

<p>The 24 Hours of Le Mans has a habit of revealing a team&rsquo;s character. Over ten days, Genesis Magma Racing have seen just how all-encompassing this event is, and sampled its joys, frustrations and demands. Above all, the fledgling team have demonstrated the ability to turn setbacks into savvy.</p>

<p>Chapter one in the history of Genesis at Le Mans is complete. The rest of the story already looks promising.</p>

2026 24 Hours of Le Mans: a promising début for Genesis Magma Racing

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#7 TOYOTA RACING WEC JPN M Toyota TR010 Hybrid HY Mike CONWAY (GBR) P Kamui KOBAYASHI (JPN) P Nyck DE VRIES (NED) P#winner, podium

#7 Toyota Racing (JPN) Toyota TR010 Hybrid (HYPERCAR) Mike Conway (GBR) / Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) / Nyck De Vries (NED)

#33 Tf Sport (GBR) Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R (LMGT3) Ben Keating (USA) / Jonny Edgar (GBR) / Nicky Catsburg (NED)

#43 Inter Europol Competition (POL) Oreca 07 - Gibson (LMP2) Jakub Smiechowski (POL) / Tom Dillmann (FRA) / Nicholas Yelloly (GBR)

#12 Cadillac Hertz Team Jota (USA) Cadillac V-Series.R (HYPERCAR) Louis Delétraz (SUI) / Will Stevens (GBR) / Norman Nato (FRA)

#19 Genesis Magma Racing (KOR) Genesis GMR-001-Hypercar (HYPERCAR) Mathieu Jaminet (FRA) / Paul-Loup Chatin (FRA) / Daniel Juncadella (ESP)

#20 Bmw M Team Wrt (GER) BMW M Hybrid V8 (HYPERCAR) Robin Frijns (NED) / René Rast (GER) / Sheldon Van Der Linde (RSA)

#9 Proton Competition (GER) Oreca 07 - Gibson (LMP2) Jonas Ried (GER) / Kakunoshin Ohta (JPN) / Harry King (GBR)

#69 Team Wrt (BEL) BMW M4 LMGT3 Evo (LMGT3) Anthony Mcintosh (USA) / Parker Thompson (CAN) / Daniel Harper (GBR)

Genesis Magma Racing made its 24 Hours of Le Mans debut at the 94th edition of the world’s biggest endurance race, taking on round three of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship with two GMR-001 Hypercars.

First Le Mans, First Finish

AO by TF Sunrise Stint at Le Mans | 24 Hours of Le Mans 2026 | ELMS

History, energy, and 8.4 miles to go head-to-head with the world's best drivers: that is what the 24 Hours of Le Mans is all about. Proton Competition’s #77 and #88 Ford Mustang LMGT3s waged a fierce battle, day and night, in the LMGT3 class.

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