Several young drivers such as Dominik Kraihamer are choosing to juggle studies with their motorsport activities in preparation for their future. The Austrian driver, with eight participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to his credit, has to navigate exams, travel and races throughout the year. Here he gives us a glimpse into his day-to-day.

24H Le Mans

24 Heures du Mans

After unveiling the headline acts for the midweek concerts, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest can now announce the full programme of live music for the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans (11–15 June 2025).

As already revealed, leading French recording artists Eddy de Pretto and Pascal Obispo will be on stage to thrill the crowds on Wednesday and Thursday. We&rsquo;ll then head into the weekend&rsquo;s programme with a unique mix of ageless icons and contemporary talent guaranteeing unforgettable performances!

<h2> 
Friday 13 June 2025</h2>

<ul>
	<li>20:00 &ndash; 23:00 KUNGS</li>
</ul>

Kungs is a French DJ, record producer and musician. His track&nbsp;This Girl&nbsp;was an international hit in 2016. His successful debut album&nbsp;Layers&nbsp;was followed by&nbsp;Club Azur, a declaration of his love of clubbing and the perfect soundtrack for a night out. In 2024, he worked with the likes of David Guetta and DJ Seinfeld, while building an audience for his melodious electronic and house music label. Kungs spins a web of music, attracting a variety of musicians and proving that rhythm and night will always be the ingredients for a great party.

<h2> 
Saturday 14 June 2025</h2>

<ul>
	<li>20:00 &ndash; 23:00 Kool &amp; The Gang</li>
</ul>

Kool &amp; the Gang, officially launched in 1969. Thanks to iconic songs like Celebration, Cherish, Jungle Boogie, Summer Madness, and Open Sesame, they&rsquo;ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&amp;B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. Kool &amp; the Gang has performed continuously longer than any R&amp;B group in history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 1964, Ronald Bell and his brother, Robert &ldquo;Kool&rdquo; Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends Robert &ldquo;Spike&rdquo; Mickens, Dennis &ldquo;Dee Tee&rdquo; Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk.&nbsp;&nbsp;

1973&rsquo;s gold disc Wild &amp; Peaceful took Kool &amp; the Gang to another level, spurred by the immortal party anthems Funky Stuff, Hollywood Swinging and the platinum smash Jungle Boogie.&nbsp; 
The 80&rsquo;s would see them dominate the mainstream, starting with the double&nbsp;platinum- selling album Celebrate (driven by the international monster hit Celebration).&nbsp; 
Kool &amp; the Gang&#39;s years of hard work and talent earned them an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2019, Kool &amp; the Gang celebrated their 50th Anniversary. The group continues to delight fans around the globe with their timeless hits and amazing live performances.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>23:00 &ndash; 00:00 The Avener</li>
</ul>

Tristan Casara, AKA The Avener, is no ordinary DJ. A piano player since the age of five, he is an accomplished musician and composer.&nbsp; 
His first album&nbsp;The Wanderings of the Avener,&nbsp;and the track&nbsp;Fade Out Lines,&nbsp;were hits in over ten countries. In 2020 he released&nbsp;Heaven, in collaboration with Rick Nowels and other cult musicians.&nbsp; 
The single&nbsp;Quando Quando&nbsp;was the sound of summer 2022, followed by clubbing track&nbsp;Alpaca&nbsp;in 2023.&nbsp;The Morning Sun&nbsp;accompanied the dawn of 2024 &ndash; announcing a project inspired by a variety of sounds and consolidating The Avener&rsquo;s reputation for innovation.&nbsp; 
 
The Avener performed an exclusive &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo; set during the night of the Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020. This time, it&rsquo;s for real on the Le Mans stage!

<ul>
	<li>00:00 &ndash; 00:20 The 24 Hours of Le Mans Show</li>
</ul>

The 24 Hours of Le Mans Show&nbsp;promises yet another unforgettable display. This year&rsquo;s theme&nbsp;24h&nbsp;On Board&nbsp;will transport the spectators into the heart of the race for a 20-minute immersive experience. Meanwhile, fireworks and a thrilling drone and laser show will light up the night sky, providing a stunning backdrop for the action and endeavour on the racetrack.

Don&rsquo;t miss Practice and Qualifying! 
&nbsp; 
Tickets for the Free Practice and Qualifying sessions, including the all-new Hyperpole format, are still available. You&rsquo;ll also have the added bonus of seeing Eddy de Pretto and Pascal Obispo live!&nbsp;

<a href="https://ticket.24h-lemans.com/selection/event/date?productId=10229239928157&amp;gtmStepTracking=true">&gt;&gt;&gt; TICKETS &lt;&lt;&lt;</a>

Enjoy a VIP experience at the 24 Hours of Le Mans! 
&nbsp; 
The 24 Hours of Le Mans has a range of VIP packages available for an immersive experience you will never forget! Special vantage points, exclusive venues and bespoke services to bring you all the thrills of the race &ndash; and lots more beside &ndash; from a totally unique angle. 
&nbsp; 
Among the many VIP packages proposed,&nbsp;Le Mans Spirit Club&nbsp;takes you right into the heart of the Le Mans legend. In a prime location right next to the paddocks and the pit building&nbsp;you can relax in comfort, enjoy a bite to eat and a refreshing drink, be entertained by musicians and chefs, and visit the paddocks.&nbsp;Le Mans Spirit Club gives you the opportunity to sit out on a stunning terrace with outstanding views of the Motul Raccordement Corner.

<a href="https://hospitality.24h-lemans.com/content">&gt;&gt;&gt;&nbsp;Find out more about our packages &lt;&lt;&lt;</a>

24 Hours of Le Mans shows : Kungs, Kool and the Gang, The Avener and more!

The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship is preparing for a flying start with the Qatar 1812km. From 26–28 February, 36 cars built by the world’s top manufacturers and driven by some of the best racers on the planet will be at the Lusail International Circuit for what is shaping up to be a highly intense battle.

The 2025 season promises to be one of the most spectacular in FIA WEC history with a remarkable 13 marques represented in the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes. The Hypercar class sees Aston Martin join Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and&nbsp;Toyota. The British make will introduce the eagerly awaited Valkyrie to the FIA WEC field. Meanwhile, Mercedes-AMG will line up on the LMGT3 grid alongside Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren and Porsche.

The teams competing in the Qatar 1812km will firstly have a chance to tweak their settings during the Official Prologue on 21&ndash;22 February. These two days of testing will be crucial for measuring the performance level of the new cars and giving drivers an opportunity to acclimatise to the special conditions of the Qatari circuit. 
The 5.38-km Lusail International Circuit is renowned for its long straight (1,068 metres) and quick sequence of turns that will offer a stern challenge to the Hypercars and LMGT3s. The ambient conditions will also be a key factor with high afternoon temperatures and an emblematic night-time conclusion offering a stunning spectacle.

Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/fiawec-prod/assets/ressources/2025/Qatar%202025/2025_FIA_WEC_Qatar_1812Km_Provisional%20Entry%20List_v1%201.pdf" target="_blank">the Qatar 1812km entry list</a>.

Last year&rsquo;s race was <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/fia-wec-porsche-penske-motorsports-6-porsche-963-wins-qatar-1812-km-58384" target="_blank">won by the #6 Porsche 963 entered by Porsche Penske Motorsport</a>. The German manufacturer achieved a clean sweep of the podium with Hertz Team JOTA&rsquo;s #12 Porsche finishing second, and the winner&rsquo;s sister car (#5) third. Yet another Porsche, the #92 911 GT3 R fielded by Manthey PureRxcing, took the LMGT3 honours ahead of a pair of Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3s (#27 of Heart of Racing Team and #777 of D&rsquo;Station Racing).

After the curtain-raiser in Qatar, the FIA WEC season will take in five continents. The 24 Hours of Le Mans (11&ndash;15 June 2025) will once again be the focal point of the championship. 
The scene is set and all the ingredients required for an outstanding season are ready. From the opening exchanges, the Qatar 1812km promises to set the tone for a thrilling season that will keep endurance fans on the edge of their seats.

FIA WEC 2025 – Qatar 1812km set to ignite explosive season

In 1995, McLaren surprised everyone by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the iconic F1 GTR. Thirty years later, the British manufacturer’s hopes lie with United Autosports and the McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo. After a steep learning curve throughout the 2024 campaign, can McLaren challenge for victory in LMGT3 in 2025?

McLaren&rsquo;s LMGT3 entry in the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans could mark a watershed in the 2025 season. To pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of the make&rsquo;s overall victory in the French endurance classic, United Autosports will run two McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evos. &ldquo;It is a very special year to be racing with McLaren in the WEC,&rdquo; says United Autosports CEO&nbsp;Richard Dean. &ldquo;This season is about building on strong foundations, winning races and going for the championship title, and we are doing that in a car that is proudly, unmistakeably McLaren.&rdquo;

<h2>A mammoth challenge following a difficult 2024 campaign</h2>

Despite McLaren&rsquo;s lofty ambitions, the manufacturer&rsquo;s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year proved to be somewhat tricky. Both United Autosports 720S LMGT3 Evos were forced to retire, reflecting the challenging nature of a d&eacute;but WEC season. The Anglo-American outfit wrapped up a disappointing campaign in 9th and 14th positions in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams standings. 
United Autosports has revised its approach for 2025 and hired new drivers. The #59 McLaren will be driven by James Cottingham and Gr&eacute;goire Saucy. The pair were already onboard in 2024 but will this time be partnered by S&eacute;bastien Baud, who clinched the LMGT3 pole at the 8 Hours of Bahrain with TF Sport.&nbsp; Car #95 will be shared by Darren Leung, Sean Gelael and Marino Sato.

The McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo has already shown its potential in several GT championships. Its aerodynamics and twin-turbo V8 engine make it a fearsome competitor over long distances. &ldquo;Now that we have proven the McLaren GT3 EVO&rsquo;s speed and endurance at the highest level of competition,&rdquo; says McLaren Automotive CEO Michael Leiters, &ldquo;we enter the new season confident of competing for the WEC title with our racing partner United Autosports. Racing is in the DNA of all our supercars and the WEC, with the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans at its heart, is the ideal competitive environment for them, so we are excited for what we can together deliver on the track this year.&rdquo;

The competition in LMGT3 will be tough with Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche all looking to play a leading role. However, McLaren will expect the lessons of the 2024 season to pay dividends and, with a reinforced squad, will hope to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Le Mans triumph in style next June.

<h2>McLaren celebrated at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum</h2>

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of McLaren&rsquo;s Le Mans triumph, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lemans-musee24h.com/en" target="_blank">24 Hours of Le Mans Museum</a>&nbsp;is currently hosting an exhibition entitled &ldquo;A Name for Eternity&rdquo;. Among the models and artefacts on display, visitors can admire the McLaren F1 GTR that won the 1995 race. A unique opportunity to relive this legendary feat.

Can McLaren renew with Le Mans success 30 years after a famous win?

The 2024-2025 Asian Le Mans Series has rendered its verdict, earning two new invitations to the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans on 11-15 June. Algarve Pro Racing and Manthey have secured their entry tickets for the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

<h2>Algarve Pro Racing</h2>

Portuguese team&nbsp;Algarve Pro Racing has earned a spot on the starting grid at the 93rd&nbsp;24 Hours&nbsp;by winning the LMP2 class in the 2024-2025&nbsp;Asian Le Mans Series. With the #25 ORECA&nbsp;07-Gibson entrusted to&nbsp;Malthe Jakobsen/Michael Jensen/Valerio Rinicella, the team executed a remarkable campaign, winning three of the six rounds on the championship calender. The car also clinched two fourth place finishes and one fifth. Algarve Pro Racing has scored an automatic invitation to compete once again in&nbsp;the LMP2 class. With eight participations at Le Mans to its credit, the outfit will be aiming squarely for the top step on the podium at the legendary race.

<h2>Manthey</h2>

The&nbsp;Manthey team is heading to this year&#39;s&nbsp;24 Hours after winning the&nbsp;GT class in the 2024-2025&nbsp;Asian Le Mans Series. Fielding a&nbsp;Porsche 911 GT3 R, the German outfit saw its efforts rewarded at the final race of the season when&nbsp;Antares Au/Klaus Bachler/Joel Sturm secured a decisive win and an automatic invitation to Le Mans. The team&nbsp;showed&nbsp;stunning consistency throughout the championship season, reaching the second step on the podium twice and a fourth and fifth place finishes.&nbsp;This blend&nbsp;of reliability&nbsp;and panache will allow Manthey&nbsp;to compete in LMGT3&nbsp;representing&nbsp;Porsche with the goal of holding its own against&nbsp;Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren and Mercedes-AMG.

Teams and drivers already invited to the 2025&nbsp;24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans:

<ul>
	<li>AO by TF, 2024&nbsp;ELMS champion&nbsp;(LMP2 invitation)</li>
	<li>Inter Europol Competition, 2024 ELMS runner-up&nbsp;(LMP2 invitation)</li>
	<li>AF Corse, 2024 ELMS LMP2 Pro/Am&nbsp;champion (LMP2 invitation)</li>
	<li>RLR M Sport, 2024 ELMS LMP3 class champion&nbsp;(LMP2 invitation)</li>
	<li>Iron Lynx, 2024 ELMS LMGT3 class&nbsp;champion&nbsp;(LMGT3 invitation)</li>
	<li>Porsche Penske Motorsport, champion&nbsp;(Hypercar invitation)</li>
	<li>Nick Boulle, LMP2&nbsp;champion and winner of the Jim Trueman trophy (LMP2 invitation)</li>
	<li>Orey Fidani, best&nbsp;Bronze driver in the&nbsp;IMSA last season and winner of the&nbsp;Bob Akin trophy</li>
</ul>

Two new invitations granted to the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans

24 Heures du Mans 2018

How do you manage your studies and a career in motorsport? Dominik Kraihamer has opted to do just that to prepare&nbsp;his future. A student at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, the young Austrian is in his final year of studies to earn&nbsp;a bachelor&#39;s degree in international economics. The 28-year-old hopes to specialize in&nbsp;marketing or consulting in tandem with his motorsport activities.&nbsp;&quot;The week ahead of the 24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans, I had five different exams,&quot;&nbsp;admits&nbsp;Dominik Kraihamer, representing ByKOLLES Racing at the wheel of the Enso CLM P1/01-Nismo this year. It&#39;s a delicate juggling act he explains in the video below!&nbsp;

24H LE MANS

Dominik Kraihamer - Student and 24 Hours of Le Mans driver (video)

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FIA WEC 2025 – Qatar 1812km set to ignite explosive season

Can McLaren renew with Le Mans success 30 years after a famous win?

Two new invitations granted to the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans

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