24h Le Mans
The highly-anticipated entry list for the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans has been announced!
...the number of marques battling for victory in Hypercar. Since the introduction of the category in 2021, never before have so many competitors taken the start. Cadillac, BMW, Isotta Fraschini, Toyota, Peugeot, Porsche, Alpine, Lamborghini and Ferrari will all hit the track. Get ready for an epic show!
…the proof is in the pudding! The above carmakers have secured 42.4% of the top category victories at Le Mans since the race's inception in 1923! A staggering feat, clearly represented by the greatness of their respective achievements: Porsche boasts 19 wins, Ferrari 10 (the last of which was secured just last year), Toyota 5 and Peugeot 3. Lastly, BMW and Alpine – under the banner of Renault-Alpine – have 1.
...the number of previous 24 Hours winners to take the start among 186 drivers in 62 teams. Note: the entry list is provisional as not all crews have been finalised.
The Hypercar category will include 11 winners:
2021 winner José María López will represent Akkodis ASP Team in the LMGT3 category, bringing the total to 12.
...the number of cars fitted with Goodyear tyres across the LMP2 and LMGT3 categories. The American company announced last year it would serve as the exclusive tyre supplier for the new GT category at Le Mans and in the FIA Word Endurance Championship. The new category is well underway with models from nine constructors set to hit the track this year: BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Lexus, McLaren, Aston Martin, Ford, Corvette and Lamborghini.
...the number of consecutive starts the Iron Dames have taken in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The all-female crew will compete in the new LMGT3 category this year. After starting out in 2019 with Ferrari, the trio switched to Porsche for the 2023 running of the race and will represent Lamborghini this season. The Iron Dames made history last year by reaching the top step on the LMGTE Am podium at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the first women's driver line-up to win at the top level of endurance racing.
At the 2024 24 Hours, Doriane Pin will join Michelle Gatting and Sarah Bovy.
Le Mans has always fortified the link between motorsport disciplines. The same is true this year with two world champions in top-tier disciplines other than endurance taking the start: 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button (Herz Team Jota) and seven-time MotoGP world champion (2001-2009) Valentino Rossi (Team WRT).
...the number of Hypercars fighting for overall victory, the most in the top category since 1997 (24 LMGT1s took the start, though an LMP won the race).
