No fewer than 62 automobiles and crews will battle for one of the coveted trophies within the sport in just below 4 months’ time, following the publication of the official entry checklist for the 94th version of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (10–14 June).
HYPERCAR HEAVYWEIGHTSIn the headlining Hypercar class, one other conflict of the titans could be very a lot in prospect. Ferrari’s 499P prototype stays unbeaten at La Sarthe since becoming a member of the fray in 2023, and the Prancing Horse is focusing on a fourth straight success, the manufacturing unit #50 and #51 automobiles and independently run #83 AF Corse entry having prevailed as soon as apiece.
The Italian marque, nonetheless, is bound to face an excellent more durable problem in 2026. Final yr, Cadillac made historical past at Le Mans by securing its first pole place for the race, and the primary for an American producer in virtually six many years. The 2 full-season Cadillac Hertz Workforce JOTA V-Sequence.Rs will likely be bolstered by a single-car effort from Cadillac WTR, growing the variety of Hypercars to 18.
Elsewhere within the prime tier, each Peugeot and Alpine will likely be chasing an enormous end result on dwelling soil after a troublesome race in 2025. The previous’s final win at La Sarthe was in 2009 with the 908 HDi, whereas the latter’s drought stretches all the way in which again to 1978.
A number of world champion Toyota triumphed at Le Mans 5 occasions in succession from 2018 to 2022 and has upped the ante this yr, considerably updating its rebaptised TR010 Hybrid Hypercar over the winter in a bid to regain the higher hand.
BMW is equally aiming excessive in its third marketing campaign with the M Hybrid V8, whereas Aston Martin’s Valkyrie confirmed robust development final season, and Hyundai premium model Genesis joins the grid for the primary time following a complete improvement programme. Boasting an all-star driver line-up – spearheaded by two-time world champion and triple Le Mans winner André Lotterer – the formidable Korean marque clearly means enterprise!
If the likes of Lotterer carry expertise, then there are conversely an entire host of younger weapons within the Hypercar class desperate to shine and stake their declare as future front-runners. Ex-FIA System 2 champion Théo Pourchaire will take to the observe for Peugeot, whereas fellow Frenchman Victor Martins – one other race-winner within the F1 feeder collection – makes his endurance racing debut with Alpine in 2026. Each are certain to obtain loads of enthusiastic dwelling help.
BIG NAMES IN LMGT3A bumper 25-strong area will lock horns in LMGT3 – a division famend for its close-quarters racing and epic duels. Final yr, 5 of the 9 manufacturers within the class received a spherical of FIA WEC, with the remaining 4 reaching the podium and the main quartet at La Sarthe all taking the chequered flag on the lead lap. There’s, furthermore, an intriguing newcomer within the form of former Williams F1 racer Logan Sargeant – a rookie in Proton Competitors’s Ford Mustang.
The 18 championship regulars will likely be complemented by seven additions, together with third entries for TF Sport (Corvette) and Iron Lynx (Mercedes-AMG). There’s additionally a Canadian-run Corvette from 13 Autosport, in addition to Racing Spirit of Léman’s Aston Martin Vantage, two Kessel Racing Ferrari 296s – certainly one of which will likely be piloted by Lorenzo Patrese, son of former F1 World Championship runner-up Riccardo Patrese – and the same automotive campaigned by Richard Mille AF Corse, whose line-up contains official Ferrari driver Lilou Wadoux.
FAMILIAR FACES MAKING PROTOTYPE CAMEOSIn LMP2, historically becoming a member of the Hypercar and LMGT3 courses at Le Mans on a one-off foundation, 19 prototypes are assembled, that includes numerous faces already acquainted to FIA WEC followers. Grégoire Saucy and 2027 McLaren Hypercar driver Mikkel Jensen will likely be joined within the class by not too long ago appointed Peugeot check and improvement driver Alex Quinn, reigning F1 Academy champion and Mercedes-AMG F1 improvement driver Doriane Pin, two-time outright Le Mans winner Romain Dumas, returning to the race for the primary time in three years, and two opponents with well-known surnames within the type of Pietro Fittipaldi and Enzo Trulli.
