The warm-up came to an end in the same order as qualifying between the two TOYOTA GAZOO Racing cars, the #7 ahead of the #8 leading the overall classification. Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López (#7) have yet to win Le Mans. Fernando Alonso, Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima (#8) are seeking a second win in a row, which would make Alonso the first Formula 1 world champion to win the 24 Hours more than once.
No matter the driver line-up, if Toyota wins, the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans will include a historic achievement for the marque. Whether Nakajjima or Kobayashi, a Japanese driver would win the title of FIA world champion for the first time in history.
SMP Racing has gotten stronger across this 2018-2019 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season. The Russian team's latest results indicate a fantastic duel with Rebellion Racing for the podium.
G-Drive Racing, TDS Racing and Signatech Alpine Matmut led the warm-up lap in the LMP2 class. Signatech Alpine Matmut is pitted against Jackie DC Chan Racing for the FIA Endurance LMP2 Teams Trophy. G-Drive Racing is still seeking its first win in the class at Le Mans after three consecutive victories in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). But an upset could come from Duqueine Engineering who has two-time 24 Hours winner Romain Dumas in its corner.
The LMGTE Pro is perhaps the most undecided class, despite Porsche's domination during qualifying and the warm-up. The German marque is looking to stay on top after its win in 2018, Ford is hoping to finish its GT programme in the FIA WEC on a high note, Corvette wants to say goodbye to its C7.R in triumph, Ferrari wants to end its difficult Super Season with a victory, Aston Martin is going after a first win for its new Vantage AMR, and BMW (also ending its FIA WEC programme) would like to go out on the first step of the podium.
In LMGTE Am, the situation is just as uncertain. The oldest car in the field, the Aston Martin Vantage GTE has remained remarkably competitive, but Ferrari's consistency gives it a chance to win. Porsche, warm-up lap leader, is hoping to double down on its 2018 victory. The Ford GT of Keating Motorsports is one to watch, and its the car's first appearance in this class.
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, OFFICIAL CARS PHOTO, SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2019. The 61 competitors are about to kick off the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans.