WEC - 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as the world's oldest active endurance racing event for sports cars. This legendary race takes place at Circuit de la Sarthe near Le Mans, France, combining permanent racing sections with public roads temporarily closed for competition. Drivers and machines face the ultimate test of reliability, speed, and endurance across a full day and night of continuous racing.

Circuit de la Sarthe spans 13.626 kilometers, featuring famous sections like the Mulsanne Straight, Porsche Curves, and Dunlop Bridge. Cars reach speeds over 330 km/h and operate at full throttle for approximately 85% of each lap, making this track one of racing's most demanding challenges.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans features three main classes competing simultaneously. The Hypercar class serves as the premier category with manufacturers like Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, and Peugeot showcasing their advanced prototypes. LMP2 offers teams access to cost-capped prototypes, while LMGT3 brings production-based sports cars to the grid.

Each team fields three drivers who rotate throughout the race, with strict limits on individual driving time. Pit stop strategy and mechanical reliability often determine success over raw speed alone. Cars cover distances exceeding 5,000 kilometers during the 24-hour period—equivalent to multiple Formula 1 Grand Prix races back-to-back.

The race began in 1923 and has run annually except during wartime. Many automotive innovations developed at Le Mans have transferred to road cars, including improved aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, and lighting systems. The event attracts over 250,000 spectators yearly and forms part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Porsche holds the record for most wins as a manufacturer with 19 victories, while Tom Kristensen leads all drivers with nine wins. The 24 Hours of Le Mans continues to represent the pinnacle of sports car racing, blending cutting-edge technology with the pure challenge of day-night endurance racing.

This historic WEC event continues to push the boundaries of automotive performance and human endurance, creating unforgettable moments as teams battle through sunshine, darkness, and often changing weather conditions in pursuit of victory at Le Mans.