43 teams (fielding 61 cars) competed in the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Super Finale of the FIA WEC 2018-19 World Endurance Championship. There were winners, of course, but also mechanical glitches, track incidents and early retirements. Joy for some, disappointment for others... Here’s a summary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the TDS Racing team, which ran in the LMP2 class.

24H Le Mans

Le Mans Series

24 Heures du Mans

FIA WEC

Le Mans, Ignite your Senses | Tailored to the spectator experience, the 24 Hours of Le Mans consistently provokes intense emotions-turned-memories throughout race week and the main event. The sounds of the race are part of its unique make-up. The roar of an engine is music to the ears of many a motorsport fan, and one of the many reasons spectators attend races.

Long after you return home after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/the-roar-of-legends-how-sound-echoes-our-emotions-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-59206">your ears ring with its special sounds</a>. The unmistakeable voice of track commentator Bruno Vandestick is part of the landscape, but it is regularly drowned out by a concerto of engines. Listen out for the Hypercars. Top class machines produce virtuoso performances. Lend an ear when the Cadillac V-Series.R sets off. The first notes are pianissimo electric, but before the American prototype has even exited the pit lane, the distinctive growl of the 5.5-litre V8 fills the air. That sound makes the car a favourite with the crowd. In comparison, the Ferrari&rsquo;s twin turbo V6 is brutal yet muted. You can hear the turbo blowing but the hybrid system is discrete. Peugeot&rsquo;s 9X8 has a similar set-up, with a hybrid system, but the two cars sound completely different. And the vibrant BMW 4-litre twin turbo V8 is different again. The German make&rsquo;s prototype has a distinctly modern sound: smaller capacity coupled with bleeding edge turbo technology.

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<h2>tuning up</h2>

Listen carefully when these engines are just ticking over, and watch out for the sound that hails an acceleration. Thanks to their turbo power, all these cars have plenty of torque. The sort that gets a prototype to 300 kph in a few seconds. A roar goes by and rapidly fades away into the distance. To return again barely more than three minutes later. You&rsquo;ll pick it up, hear it approach, get louder, and louder. Suddenly, it comes thundering through the trees or along the pit straight. In a flurry of gear changes and braking before the Mulsanne Corner, almost inaudible at the apex, and then a crescendo of raging power obeying its driver&rsquo;s commands.

Sometimes cars get pushed to breaking point. Hoarse. Voiceless. The engine worn out. The same one that was singing at the top of its voice not so long ago, beating out a rhythm, lap after lap. In an instant it hiccups, then spouts garbled nonsense when the electronics get confused and it skips a few beats.

<h2>LMGT3s: a symphony of power</h2>

Here comes a pack of GT3s. The orchestra to the Hypercar soloists. They can certainly strike a chord! These engines develop 550 hp. Ample power to approach the 300 kph mark on the Mulsanne Straight. Which is easier to pick out, the metallic Porsche flat-6 or the V8 of the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette? No matter. As long as they do their job and play their tune! The Ferrari 296 GT3 stands apart due to its smaller cylinder capacity. In any case, when the prancing horses and their friends are on the run, you certainly hear them coming. When they ramp it up, the quick, clear-cut gear changes set them apart. A road car is no match.

24 Hours of Le Mans: the soundtrack

For some dyed-in-the-wool fans,  attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans has become something of an annual pilgrimage whereas, for others, it's a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list experience. But for everyone, choosing the best place from which to enjoy the race can turn the weekend into an unforgettable memory. Here’s a rundown of the best vantage points that offer far more than a simple grandstand seat.

At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an admission ticket for the Wednesday and Thursday free practice and qualifying sessions, for the race weekend or for the full week grants the holder access to the general enclosure, the Mulsanne and Arnage Corners, the race village, the spectator mounds and the on-site events and entertainment (pitwalk, fan zones, concerts and funfair). But have you considered an official hospitality facility for a totally unique way of enjoying the race? VIP packages offer racegoers a selection of magnificent views of various points of the track for a fully immersive experience.

&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-new-spectator-vantage-points-59091" target="_blank">New vantage points for spectators</a>&nbsp;&lt;&lt;&lt;

<h2>An outstanding view over the&nbsp;Corvette Turn</h2>

Located at the heart of the Karting des 24 Heures, Starter24 is the place to be for spectators eager to feel the full energy of the race in a fan-friendly atmosphere. 
The spacious terrace offers an unrivalled view of the Corvette Turn, where drivers rely on downforce to keep the car firmly on the tarmac. With a slight gradient forcing the cars towards the outside of the turn, the drivers must be wary of overstepping the track limits to avoid the wrath of Race Control! This is also an ideal spot to enjoy watching the most exciting track tussles in a relaxed setting.

.

<h2>All the magic of the starting ceremony</h2>

If you want to explore all the aspects of the event, Pavillon24 is just what you&rsquo;re looking for. This VIP package includes access to several exclusive vantage points:

<ul>
	<li>The Karting des 24 Heures terrace to watch the cars negotiate Corvette Turn</li>
	<li>A strategically placed grandstand to feel the magic of the starting ceremony&nbsp;</li>
	<li>A box with a lofty view of the pit lane where the team&rsquo;s strategies are played out</li>
</ul>

This facility takes you straight to the heart of the action and offers an insight into the different facets of the race.

<h2>The Motul Raccordement Turn you&rsquo;ve never seen it before</h2>

Just a stone&rsquo;s throw from the paddocks and the pit building, Le Mans Spirit Club transports you straight to the heart of the event. The remarkable terrace offers an outstanding view of Motul Raccordement Turn where the cars return from public road to purpose-built racetrack. The kerbs of both chicanes come into play as the drivers seek to maintain the highest possible speed though this technical section. Every fraction of a second counts here before crossing the timing line! A chance to spot the most skilful drivers and the best adjusted cars. 
This top-quality facility is the perfect place to discover the &ldquo;spirit of Le Mans&rdquo; in ultimate comfort.

<h2>A bird&rsquo;s eye view</h2>

Panoramic24 does exactly what it says on the tin! Located facing the garages, this premium lounge offers a breathtaking view encompassing the starting ceremony on the pit straight and the pit lane, and extends as far as the legendary Dunlop Curve. Follow the action night and day from an outdoor walkway or in sumptuous surroundings. 
Bespoke services and a quality programme of activities turn this experience into long-cherished memories.

<h2>The most exclusive points of the&nbsp;circuit</h2>

Our Gold Experience is our ultimate package for a totally immersive adventure. This package opens the door to the most select parts of the Circuit des 24 Heures, such as Indianapolis, Mulsanne Corner and the Daytona Chicane, and to a range of exclusive activities. From dawn to dusk, let yourself be guided through a specially tailored programme and tingle with the excitement of the race like never before. 
With these various VIP options, every spectator can find their own ideal location from which to enjoy the 24 Hours of Le Mans. So, why not transform your passion for the race into an unforgettable experience? Contact our hospitality team today and find the VIP package best suited to you.

&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/hospitality/vip" target="_blank">Find out more about&nbsp;24 Hours of Le Mans VIP packages</a> &lt;&lt;&lt;

The best vantage points from which to enjoy the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025

Ford has confirmed its Hypercar entry for the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2027 onwards. The US carmaker is bent on a remake of its glorious past at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Under the Ford Performance banner, the top class entry comes with a will to win the race outright. 
Ford reigned supreme at Le Mans between 1966 and 1969. Since that streak, the Dearborn brand has contented itself with class wins. First, in 2016 with the Ford GT in LMGTE PRO and more recently with the Ford Mustang in LMGT3.

Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Executive Chair makes his company&rsquo;s ambitions clear: &ldquo;We are entering a new era for performance and racing at Ford.&nbsp; You can see it from what we&rsquo;re doing on-road and off-road. When we race, we race to win. And there is no track or race that means more to our history than Le Mans. &nbsp;It is where we took on Ferrari and won in the 1960s. &nbsp;It is where we returned 50 years later and shocked the world and beat Ferrari again. I am thrilled that we&rsquo;re going back to Le Mans and competing at the highest level of endurance racing. We are ready to once again challenge the world, and &lsquo;go like hell!&rsquo;&rdquo;

<h2>TEN Hypercar MAKES In 2027!</h2>

Ford&rsquo;s return adds even more spice to the already delectable FIA WEC field. Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota are already on the Hypercar grid, to be joined by Genesis in 2027. &ldquo;Ford has been synonymous with success both on and off-track for decades,&rdquo; says FIA WEC head Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Lequien. &ldquo;We are delighted that the company has chosen the FIA World Endurance Championship for its latest challenge. To have at least ten major automotive brands committed to the series&rsquo; top-tier in 2027 is testament to the championship&rsquo;s stellar momentum and growth.&quot;

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest, stresses the historic element behind the announcement: &ldquo;It is wonderful news to welcome Ford back to the top level of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in almost 60 years. It is a brand that has always had a close affinity with this very special race, and history shows that Ford does not compete to finish second. The renewal of its famous rivalry with Ferrari is truly an exciting prospect.&rdquo;

More details on the Ford entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA WEC coming soon.

Ford in the top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027

Alpine Endurance Team has lifted the lid on the livery that will adorn the A424 for the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans (11-15 June 2025). The French outfit has released the first official picture of its 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship hypercar entry.

Alpine has drawn precious lessons from the A424&rsquo;s d&eacute;but season in the premier league of endurance racing. After a learning curve that produced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/alpine-endurance-team-firmly-focused-on-2025-59122">a series of very promising showings</a>, culminating in a podium at the 6 Hours of Fuji, the team wrapped up the season in fourth place.

The 2025 version of the A424 will feature a new livery that illustrates Alpine&rsquo;s racing heritage and its commitment to returning to the pinnacle of the sport. Meanwhile, the team is stepping up its preparations for the forthcoming season in which it hopes to build on the experience acquired last term to rival with the best outfits on the Hypercar grid.

On 5 February, Alpine is due to reveal the line-ups that will defend the team&rsquo;s colours in 2025. We already know that Charles Milesi, Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg, Mick Schumacher, Jules Gounon and Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Makowiecki will be involved. This announcement will firm up the team&rsquo;s ambitions before the WEC season gets underway with the Qatar 1812 km.

Alpine unveils A424 Hypercar livery for 2025

24 Heures du Mans 2019

<h3>Team: TDS Racing</h3>

Class: LMP2

Car: ORECA&nbsp;07-Gibson

Drivers:

<ul>
	<li>Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo (7th participation)</li>
	<li>Matthieu Vaxiviere (3rd&nbsp;participation)</li>
	<li>Lo&iuml;c Duval (9th&nbsp;participation)</li>
</ul>

2013 24 Hours of Le Mans winner with Audi Lo&iuml;c Duval qualified the #28 ORECA&nbsp;07-Gibson in&nbsp;pole position in the&nbsp;LMP2 class and ninth overall with a time of&nbsp;3:25.345. In the race, the team managed by&nbsp;Xavier Combet used&nbsp;sound strategy and a good pace to finish eighth overall and third in LMP2. &quot;To be honest, helping a true amateur driver like Fran&ccedil;ois reach the&nbsp;podium was my personal goal. We had a great race and knew by managing the fuel and tyres properly we could aim high, like we did last year and several times across the season,&quot;&nbsp;explained&nbsp;Duval. TDS Racing has ended the 2018-2019 FIA WEC season in seventh place in the FIA Endurance LMP2 Team Trophy.

MJA_1924JT_MJ3_0670.jpg

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PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, THURSDAY&nbsp;13 JUNE 2019, QUALIFYING. The #28 ORECA&nbsp;07-Gibson of French team&nbsp;TDS Racing driven by&nbsp;Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo, Matthieu Vaxivi&egrave;re and&nbsp;Lo&iuml;c Duval.

24H LE MANS

The 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans for TDS Racing (LMP2)

Team: TDS Racing

Related News

24 Hours of Le Mans: the soundtrack

The best vantage points from which to enjoy the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025

Ford in the top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027

Alpine unveils A424 Hypercar livery for 2025

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