After Romain Dumas earlier this week, his team mate for many years, Timo Bernhard, talks about the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but also on the difference between today's cars and their predecessors of the 70's and 80's.

The 2025 season of the Michelin Le Mans Cup promises to be historic with a record 44 entries. This benchmark championship for GT3 and LMP3 endurance racing, due to kick off in Barcelona on 5 April, will come to La Sarthe in June with two races organised as part of the support programme to the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans (11-15 June 2025).

The 2025 Michelin Le Mans Cup grid will feature 88 drivers representing&nbsp;29 teams and 14 different nations. They will be split into three classes &ndash; LMP3, LMP3 Pro/Am and GT3. Six rounds will be on the agenda: Barcelona, Le Castellet, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone, Portim&atilde;o and Le Mans. New this year is the introduction of 100% professional line-ups in LMP3, whereas the LMP3 Pro/Am class requires at least one Bronze driver.

The four new homologated LMP3 chassis will make their track d&eacute;but this season. They will include 12 Ligier JS P325s, five Duqueine D09s, two Adess AD25s and a Ginetta G61-LT-J325-EVO. All these cars will be powered by a Toyota V35A twin-turbo V6 engine. 
Among the teams hoping to be in the running for the championship title are reigning champions CLX Motorsport (ex-Cool Racing), 2023 champions Team Virage, four-time former title winners DKR Engineering and&nbsp;Nielsen Racing.

With 14 Ligier JS P325s and two Duqueine D09s, the LMP3 Pro/Am class promises some nail-biting track action. Racing Spirit of L&eacute;man, Inter Europol Competition, Rinaldi Racing, R-ace GP and CD Sport will all hope to be among the frontrunners.

<h2>Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes and Porsche in the GT3 field</h2>

In GT3, we shall see four Ferrari 296 GT3s take on two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs (992), a Mercedes-AMG GT3 and an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO. AF Corse will be back to defend their title. The Italian outfit will face a two-pronged attack from Kessel Racing, as well as Ebimotors who are returning to the Michelin Le Mans Cup fold with a Porsche, the Iron Dames, Biogas Motorsport, Code Racing Development and Motopark.

All these teams will be determined to shine at Road To Le Mans. Two races will be held on Thursday 12 and Saturday 14 June in the run-up to the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans.&nbsp;

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest:&nbsp;With a record number of cars on the grid, all the signs are suggesting that this 10th season of the championship will be fiercely contested! The six rounds will give the drivers invaluable endurance experience on prestigious circuits. We look forward to the curtain-raiser in Barcelona in April and, of course, to the two Road To Le Mans races in June on the 24 Hours of Le Mans bill.

Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM):&nbsp;2025 is a historic year for the Michelin Le Mans Cup, as it will mark 10 years since the series was unveiled. With a bumper 44-car field and some superb line-ups, this is an ideal opportunity for teams and drivers looking to launch a career in endurance. 
It&rsquo;s fantastic to see all four chassis constructors &ndash; Ligier, Duqueine, Adess and Ginetta &ndash; represented on the 2025 grid with the new generation of LMP3s. Meanwhile, the GT3 class is shaping up to provide lots of thrills once again. 
We are grateful to our title partner Michelin for their longstanding support and thank all the teams who are joining us for a fascinating endurance season in 2025.

Check out the 2025 Michelin Le Mans Cup&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/doc-prod/OTFK-DQIZciWatOb8Hd3e_yW.pdf" target="_blank">entry list</a>.

Michelin Le Mans Cup attracts record 44-car field for 10th season

With the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship on the horizon, TF Sport has unveiled the liveries of the two LMGT3-class Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs that perpetuate the legacy of an iconic lineage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. To herald this announcement, we look in the rear-view mirror at some of the head-turning Chevrolet Corvettes to have appeared at the French endurance classic since 2000.

For the 2025 season, Sean Bull Design has come up with a bright yellow livery for the two Corvettes, with notable differences in the centre of the body. The #33 Z06 GT3.R, to be shared by Jonny Edgar, Ben Keating and Dani Juncadella, will have a full yellow roof and a grey stars-and-stripes on the hood. The roof of the #81 sister car, driven by Tom Van Rompuy, Rui Andrade and Charlie Eastwood, will however be black and yellow, mirroring the US flag on the hood. The two cars will also be differentiated by the colour of the door mirrors and windscreen banner: yellow on car #33 and black on car #81.

After two days of testing at the Dubai Autodrome, the two cars will head to Qatar for the WEC official prologue due to be held at the Lusail International Circuit on 21-22 February. 
To herald the announcement of the new liveries of the TF Sport Corvettes, let&rsquo;s look back at some of the most eye-catching models to have left their mark on the French endurance classic since the turn of the century.

<h2>2000: a legend in the making</h2>

For its first official appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette Racing fielded two C5.Rs in the LMGTS class. The team compensated for its inexperience by hiring seasoned drivers such as Justin Bell and Franck Fr&eacute;on. Result: P3 in class for car #64 and P4 for car #63. A promising first step.

<h2>2003: an iconic anniversary livery</h2>

Corvette Racing had become part of the 24 Hours scenery as the American outfit entered the race for the fourth consecutive year. To celebrate the Corvette&rsquo;s 50th anniversary, Corvette Racing opted for a memorable blue livery for its C5.Rs. The #53 that won the 12 Hours of Sebring finished third in the LMGTS class, one place behind car #50. A successful tribute to the make&rsquo;s history.

<h2>2006: a former skiing champion at the wheel</h2>

Alongside the two C6.Rs entered by Corvette Racing, the team of former skiing champion Luc Alphand (three-time World Cup downhill winner) bought the car that won the GT1 class in 2004. Alphand shared the wheel of the striking blue and yellow C5-R with fellow Frenchmen Patrice Goueslard and J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Policand. While the US team&rsquo;s #64 car finished 4th overall, winning the LMGT1 class, the #72 put in a solid performance to clinch P7 and take the third spot on the class podium.

<h2>2010: a C6 ZR1 with an electrifying design</h2>

With their yellow livery trimmed in black with dynamic grey motifs, the LM GT2-class Corvette C6 ZR1s certainly turned a few heads. The two cars&rsquo; entry coincided with the 50th anniversary of Corvette&rsquo;s d&eacute;but in La Sarthe. Unfortunately, the race proved to be a disappointment as the engine failed on both machines.

<h2>2013: celebrating 60 years of Corvette</h2>

Pending the introduction of the new C7.R, Corvette Racing returned to Le Mans with two C6 ZR1s. The cars sported a livery that hailed the 60th anniversary of Corvette. Car #73 finished the race in P4 in the LMGTE Pro class and car #74 P7.

<h2>2017: a Corvette C7.R Art Car</h2>

In 2017, the #50 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R entered by Larbre Comp&eacute;tition in the LMGTE Am class became the latest in the line of Art Cars to grace the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The creator, Ramzi Adek, brought a different vision of these works of art in motion that had long been designed by leading figures in contemporary art. &ldquo;I wanted to design a popular Art Car &ndash; one that reached out to people who don&rsquo;t necessarily visit art galleries. My inspiration comes as much from Matisse as from comic book culture,&rdquo; he explained when presenting the project. 
The Corvette featured a fluorescent paint scheme that came into its own at nightfall, transmitting renewed energy to the car&rsquo;s drivers Fernando Rees, Romain Brandela and Christian Philippon. After 24 hours of racing, the car crossed the finish line in 48th place overall and 15th in the LMGTE Am class.

<h2>2019: a patriotic celebration</h2>

To celebrate 20 years of racing at Le Mans, Corvette Racing draped its C7.Rs with the emblematic American flag. While car #63 finished P8 in the LMGTE Pro class, the #64 sister car was forced to retire after a collision. A race that confirmed the public&rsquo;s passion for Corvette.

<h2>2021: the revolutionary C8.R</h2>

The Chevrolet Corvette C8.R that superseded the glorious C7.R represented a true change of era and design as the C8.R was powered by a rear mid-engine unlike the previous models that had a front engine. The #64 C8.R sported a new silver livery inspired by famous Corvettes of bygone days such as the 1973 Chevrolet Aerovette and the 1959 Corvette Stingray Racer. Meanwhile, the yellow hues of the #63 sister car were more in keeping with Corvette tradition, the hints of silver a nod to the glittering success of the GTLMs over the past two decades. Car #63 ranked 2 in the LMGTE Pro class and car #64 P6.

<h2>2024: the first Corvette Z06 GT3.R</h2>

As LMGTE gave way to LMGT3 regulations, Corvette joined forces with British outfit TF Sport to enter two new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The new Corvette Z06 GT3.R represents Chevrolet Corvette&rsquo;s endurance future. A car built on the foundations of the 125 wins earned by Corvette Racing in the discipline over the last quarter of a century. The two cars were decorated in distinct liveries with variations of black, grey and yellow. Car #81 boasted a yellow front end with black sides, while the same colours were reversed on car #82. Both chassis featured the American flag on the hood. Car #82 finished in 11th place in the LMGT3 rankings with car #81 in 15th.

In 2025, TF Sport will continue the tradition by running two Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs against a high-quality LMGT3 field. The British team will take on&nbsp;Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren and&nbsp;Porsche.

Eye-catching Chevrolet Corvettes appearing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2000

Le Mans Classic, returns from July 3 to 6, 2025 with an exceptional musical program! In addition to the legendary races and unique retro atmosphere, spectators will have the pleasure of enjoying open-air concerts on the circuit's main stage. Eight artists will set the Friday and Saturday evenings alight. With rock, pop and electro sounds, the program promises an unforgettable experience.

<h2>FRIDAY JULY 4</h2>

As soon as night falls, the Mans Classic stage will welcome four renowned artists for a memorable evening. Headlining, KAVINSKY, a true icon of the electro scene, promises a spectacular show. He will be preceded by ISAAC DELUSION, MARINA TRENCH and NATHALIE DUCHENE, who will deliver captivating and energetic performances to kick off the weekend in style.

<h2>SATURDAY, JULY 5</h2>

The show continues on Saturday evening, with four new concerts featuring some of the hottest names on the electro-pop scene. The highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be a performance by CERRONE, whose iconic hits have marked generations. He will share the stage with SYNAPSON, MONA BONE and HERVE for a festive evening.

<h3>PRACTICAL INFORMATION</h3>

Dates: July 3 to 6, 2025 
Location: 24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit 
Tickets and detailed program on <a href="https://www.lemansclassic.com/en/ticketing/" target="_blank">www.lemansclassic.com</a>

Le Mans Classic 2025 : an electrifying music scene July 4-5

Ford attempted a return to former glory in the 1980s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by fielding the C100. Though its foray into competition was troubled and brief, the car demonstrated the level of the American marque's ambitions against Porsche, Lancia and Rondeau.

After the GT40&#39;s success in the&nbsp;1960s, Ford hoped to become a top endurance racing contender once again, this time under the Group C regulations implemented in 1982. These new rules encouraged fuel and&nbsp;aerodynamic efficiency&nbsp;without sacrificing&nbsp;performance. The&nbsp;Ford C100 was the American carmarker&#39;s resonse to the challenge.

The car&nbsp;was technologically advanced&nbsp;for its time with&nbsp;a lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis to optimise rigidity while reducing weight, a 3.9-litre&nbsp;Ford Cosworth V8 engine for power and reliability, and a body that incorporated innovative solutions to maximise aerodynamic efficiency and guarantee respectable&nbsp;top speed in the Mulsanne Straight. However, due to its rushed development, the car&#39;s overall potential was noticeably hindered by&nbsp;reliability problems.

<h2>At the Start of the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans</h2>

Two&nbsp;Ford C100s took their rookie start in the&nbsp;24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans in&nbsp;1982, supported by German team&nbsp;Zakspeed. It was a crucial test for the car and for&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;seeking to recreate the exploits of the&nbsp;GT40. But, results were disappointing: the cars didn&#39;t even make it to the chequered flag after suffering mechanical failures. The frustrating&nbsp;performance highlighted the need for further development, which Ford was not prepared to pursue long-term.

Faced with mixed results and high costs, Ford quickly abandoned the C100 programme. The marque&nbsp;chose instead to refocus on other disciplines such as rally&nbsp;where it had enjoyed greater success with models such as the Ford Escort RS.

<h2>A Collector Favourite</h2>

Despite its less than stellar track record in&nbsp;competition, the&nbsp;Ford C100 remains&nbsp;emblematic to&nbsp;endurance racing enthusiasts and those nostalgic for Group C. It represents Ford&#39;s bold attempt&nbsp;to take on such titans as&nbsp;Porsche and its&nbsp;956. Today, available C100s are prized by collectors and fans of motorsport history.

Ultimately, the Ford C100 is a symbol of an era when&nbsp;innovation and ambition were the driving forces behind endurance racing, even if the results fell short of expectations..

The American carmarker is gearing up to write a new chapter in its racing history by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ford-in-the-top-class-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-in-2027-59293" target="_blank">competing in the&nbsp;Hypercar class</a>&nbsp;starting in 2027.

When Ford sought to reconquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the C100

Victorious at Le Mans in 2010 with Audi, Timo Bernhard was selected to take part in Porsche&#39;s return to Le Mans in 2014. The German driver had the honour of completing the first laps in the new Porsche car on the track at its Weissach base. Since then, in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014, the practice sessions have evolved at the rate of two sessions per... Find out by watching the video below!

	<img class="imgVideo" id="1958" src="/wpphpFichiers/video/1958-meet-the-people-of-le-mans-timo-bernhard-|-automototv.jpg" />

24H LE MANS

Timo Bernhard and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, "a magical place" (video)

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Michelin Le Mans Cup attracts record 44-car field for 10th season

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Le Mans Classic 2025 : an electrifying music scene July 4-5

When Ford sought to reconquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the C100

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