Following a spectacular start to its 2025 campaign across the opening three rounds, the FIA World Endurance Championship has installed itself in northern France this week for the biggest event on its calendar – the 93rd edition of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans (11-15 June).
Since its inauguration in 1923, Le Mans has established a fearsome reputation as the toughest circuit-based race in the world. With a staggering 70 per cent of the lap completed at full-throttle and top speeds reaching an eye-watering 340km/h come rain or shine, the demanding, 13.626km Circuit de la Sarthe is just as capable of breaking spirits as it is cars.
In a true test of survival of the fittest, myriad qualities are required to conquer its formidable challenge, from mental and physical stamina to the ability to rapidly react to ever-changing circumstances and conditions both during daylight hours and after dark.
Ferrari the favourite for a three-peat?
In the final European event of the season, the 36 regular FIA WEC contenders will go head-to-head with 26 further crews across the three categories – Hypercar, LMGT3 and LMP2, the latter joining on a one-off basis for Le Mans. The field includes 17 former outright winners of the twice-round-the-clock contest and 40 more drivers who have triumphed in-class, with double points on offer to full-time championship protagonists by dint of the race’s extra duration and difficulty.
That makes it a crucial stage in the title fight – a battle in which Ferrari has made a flying start, dominating all three rounds to-date with its 499P Hypercar. The Prancing Horse is not only chasing a fourth straight success in 2025, but also a third consecutive victory at La Sarthe, having prevailed with its #51 entry – the current world championship leader – in 2023 and the sister #50 scarlet machine last year.
Statistics are on Ferrari’s side, too. Since FIA WEC began in 2012, every overall winner at Le Mans has triumphed at least three times in a row…
Rivals redoubling efforts to rein in runaway Italian stallion
Of course, the Italian marque’s adversaries will have something to say about that – not least of whom Porsche. The Weissach-based brand has achieved an unparalleled 19 outright victories in the race and the same number of pole positions, with home hero Kévin Estre producing a mesmerising lap last year to put the #6 Hypercar at the front of the grid.
Porsche’s most recent win at La Sarthe, however, dates back to 2017, and the 963 Hypercar has yet to finish on the podium in France. The reigning world champions will be eager to change that this weekend, as they seek to invigorate their campaign following a disappointing start to their title defence.
Toyota – the series’ most successful manufacturer – has similarly failed to hit the high notes so far in 2025, with no rostrum appearances from the first three rounds, but the Japanese carmaker boasts a stellar record at Le Mans, having taken the chequered flag either first or second every year since 2018, including five back-to-back triumphs. Notably, #8 GR010 Hybrid driver Sébastien Buemi now counts the most starts, wins, podiums and joint-most titles to his credit in FIA WEC history.
Dark horses aiming to spring a surprise
On the 75th anniversary of its debut at the event with ‘Le Monstre’ – a heavily-modified version of its Series 61 coupé – Cadillac will be bidding to build upon its recent performances at La Sarthe, with its V-Series.R Hypercar tallying a top three finish in 2023 and a double top three start 12 months later.
Home hopes rest upon the shoulders of previous Le Mans winners Peugeot and Alpine. The former triumphed in 1992, 1993 and 2009 – with the 9X8 endeavouring to replicate the accomplishment of its 905 and 908 predecessors, both of which prevailed in their third outing in the race – while the latter arrives in a rich vein of form, spurred on by successive rostrums at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps with the ever-improving A424.
BMW has likewise been a front-runner already this season, and the Hypercar grid is completed by Aston Martin, rejoining the top class at Le Mans for the first time since 2011 with its head-turning Valkyrie. The renowned British brand won outright at La Sarthe in 1959, and the Bavarian marque 40 years later.
Bumper LMGT3 field featuring iconic liveries
Both BMW and Aston Martin also have a presence in LMGT3 – which at 24 entrants, represents the biggest GT gathering ever seen in an FIA WEC event. The main story is the return of Mercedes following an absence of more than a quarter-of-a-century, with its trio of Iron Lynx-run cars set to dazzle in their retro ‘Silver Arrows’ design.
United Autosports will similarly feature a special colour scheme on its #59 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo after teaming up with global healthcare company Sanofi to promote the fight against meningitis. British sportscar manufacturer McLaren – which will swell the Hypercar ranks in 2027 – is celebrating 30 years since memorably triumphing on its Le Mans bow with an F1 GTR entered under the same race number.
The LMGT3 line-up is completed by cars from Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus and Porsche, with the Iron Dames’ all-female crewed 911 GT3 R LMGT3 another to sport a fresh look for the week in recognition of the trailblazing trio’s new initiative with TotalEnergies, entitled ‘Powering Your Dreams’.
Key info
The on-track action will begin with free practice on Wednesday, 11 June, followed by qualifying for all categories later the same day. The Hyperpole sessions to set the final grid take place on the evening of Thursday, 12 June, with the race getting underway at 16:00 CET on Saturday, 14 June.
