24h Le Mans
As 2024 draws to a close, we look back at some of the outstanding images from the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans. With many exciting, unforgettable moments, the French endurance classic wrote yet another memorable chapter in the sport’s history. Enjoy our selection of the finest pictures captured by the official 24 Hours of Le Mans photographers.
The 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans began with the administrative and technical checks, known as scrutineering, held in Place de la République in Le Mans city centre. The two days of checks provided an excellent opportunity for the public to get a close-up view of the cars, collect autographs, snap a few selfies and catch up with some of the pre-race stories. Among the most eagerly awaited cars were Lamborghini Iron Lynx’s SC63 Hypercar, the Alpine Endurance Team’s A424 and the BMW M Hybrid V8 entered by BMW M Team WRT.
The scrutineering session also offered onlookers a chance to see the livery of the Iron Dames’ #85 Lamborghini Huracán LMGT3 Evo2. The design was based on the dreams of children from a priority education school in Le Mans.
This year, after scrutineering, 16 of the 62 cars entered in the three classes went for a drive through the city streets on Saturday afternoon. The 2.1-km route took in some of the city’s iconic thoroughfares such as Quai Louis Blanc, Rue Gambetta, Place de la République and Boulevard René Levasseur, giving the spectators another chance to see the cars close-up but this time in motion! The roar of the #2 Cadillac V-Series.R’s V8 engine echoed through the streets, reviving memories of an era when the cars joined the circuit by road. The ACO and Le Mans city council not only gave a nod to this historic tradition, but above all offered the public a day to remember!
Two three-hour track sessions were held on Test Day, offering teams the opportunity to adjust their set-up to the 13-km Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans and giving the rookie drivers a taster of the challenges they would face later in the week. This first day of track action also provided an insight into the runners and riders’ form. Porsche Penske Motorsport, in particular, showed their intentions with the #6 Porsche 963 topping the timesheets ahead of the #5 sister car.
On the Tuesday of race week, the 186 drivers and then, later in the day, the 62 cars set to compete in the 24 Hours lined up on the Pit Straight for the now traditional family portraits. For their official photograph, the drivers were joined by the coveted trophy, ACO president Pierre Fillon and Frédéric Lequien, director of LMEM.
In just two years, the Pit Stop Challenge has become a big hit with spectators. This year’s third edition was no exception. The event takes the men and women who are normally in the background – the mechanics of the competing teams – and thrusts them into the spotlight. They are faced with the task of changing all four wheels as quickly as possible.
The Ferrari AF Corse mechanics in the #51 Ferrari 499P crew won in an impressive time of 9.680 seconds. In LMP2 and LMGT3, the winning crews were AO by TF (#14 Oreca 07-Gibson) and Team WRT (#31 BMW M4 LMGT3) respectively, proving that speed is a key factor not only on the racetrack.
Hyperpole was a melting pot of suspense and emotions. Kévin Estre of Porsche Penske Motorsport pulled out a perfect lap at the death to snatch pole position for the #6 Porsche 963. As the minutes ticked down, Cadillac appeared to have the fastest time in the bag until the Frenchman maximised the potential of his Porsche to offer the German manufacturer its 19th pole position at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In LMGT3, Inception Racing’s Brendan Iribe was fastest in the #70 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo, securing the British constructor’s first Le Mans pole position and marking a historic first step into this new class.
In LMP2, Louis Delétraz dominated the session to take pole position to the AO by TF #14 Oreca 07-Gibson. He put in a remarkable performance to place his team in an ideal position before the start.
The emblematic Drivers’ Parade is one of the highlights of Le Mans race week and, once again, it enthralled the crowds. With the event restored to its usual Friday late-afternoon time slot this year, almost 200,000 people lined the streets along the 4.4-kilometre route. The unmissable parade is a tremendous opportunity for fans to greet the drivers and enjoy a moment of fun with them before they return to the serious business.
Former French international footballer Zinédine Zidane signalled the start of the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans at precisely 4 p.m. Although Laurens Vanthoor, at the wheel of the #6 Porsche 963, held off his rivals into the Dunlop Chivane, the #50 Ferrari 499P driven by Nicklas Nielsen completed the first lap in the lead.
The same car was also the first to the chequered flag 24 hours later, as Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina secured Ferrari’s 11th outright win and the second in a row. Strategies went out of the window as the rain-affected race was severely interrupted by safety car periods.
The LMP2 class was won by United Autosports’ #22 Oreca 07-Gibson driven by Oliver Jarvis, Bijoy Garg and Nolan Siegel, whereas Porsche came out on top in LMGT3 with the Manthey EMA trio of Yasser Shahin, Morris Schuring and Richard Lietz bringing home the #91 911 GT3 R LMGT3 in top spot. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words! We are therefore giving you the opportunity to relive the race through a selection of the finest taken by the ACO’s official photographers (scroll left to view).
After 24 hours of intense effort, stress and pent-up feelings, the various class podiums were scenes of unbridled joy as the winners proudly showed their trophy to the fans crowded below. The 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans role of honour:
The 24 Hours of Le Mans once again delivered an unforgettable spectacle for the 92nd staging of the event. Thanks to the skilled eye of our photographers, key moments and scenes of emotion were captured for eternity.
We now look forward to the 93rd edition (11-15 June 2025) when the camera lenses will once again be focused on the world’s greatest endurance race.
