24 hours through day and night, in all weathers. A good 18 hours of that at full throttle. A good two-thirds of that on closed country roads. Anyone who crosses the finish line here can feel like a winner. Anyone who wins here becomes a legend. No other single race in motorsport has written as much history or produced as many legends as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Get ready for the countdown to the 24 most important questions about the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In Le Mans, you have to be humble!
When was the first 24 Hours of Le Mans race held?
The first 24 Hours of Le Mans race took place on 26 and 27 May 1923 at the Circuit de la Sarthe in the French city of Le Mans. André Lagache and René Léonard secured the first victory in a Chenard & Walcker. The duo covered a distance of 2,209 kilometres in 24 hours.
How long is the circuit on which the drivers race for 24 hours?
How long is the circuit on which the drivers race for 24 hours?
The Circuit de la Sarthe is 13.626 kilometres long in its current form. Most of the track runs along public country roads, which are closed to traffic for the race. A smaller section (approx. 4.4 kilometres) runs along part of the permanent circuit around the paddock, the Circuit Bugatti.
What is the highest speed ever recorded on the Circuit de la Sarthe?
The highest officially recorded speed was achieved in 1988: 405 km/h. That was before the 6-kilometre-long Mulsanne Straight was interrupted by two chicanes for safety reasons. Today, top speeds of around 340 km/h are regularly recorded on Mulsanne Straight. The average speed depends on the car and the racing conditions – in 2025, it was 219.3 km/h for the winning car. Depending on conditions, over 85% of the circuit is driven at full throttle.
What is the most famous corner at Le Mans?
What is the most famous corner at Le Mans?
The long Le Mans circuit is characterised by iconic sections and corners. There is, for example, Tertre Rouge, from which the cars accelerate onto Mulsanne Straight. At the end of the long straight is Mulsanne Corner, from where the track leads directly to Indianapolis and Arnage, two famous, challenging corners that have remained largely unchanged since the race began in 1923.
When does the Le Mans 24 Hours take place and how should you plan a trip?
The race traditionally takes place in June; in 2026, it will be held from 10 to 14 June. The race starts at 4 pm local time on Saturday. As Le Mans attracts over 300,000 visitors annually, it is advisable to plan well in advance. Camping is the most popular accommodation option for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Motorhome pitches are also available.
Which driver has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans the most times?
Danish driver Tom Kristensen is the record winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. ‘Mr Le Mans’ triumphed a total of nine times – in 1997, six times in a row from 2000 to 2005, and again in 2008 and 2013. In second place is the Belgian Jacky Ickx with six victories.
How many kilometres do the cars cover on average during the race?
A top-tier car now covers over 5,000 kilometres at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – depending on weather conditions and periods behind the safety car or under full course yellow. The record for the longest distance covered in 24 hours dates back to 2010: Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish covered 5,410.713 kilometres in their Audi that year.
Which BMW M triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Which BMW M triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
The last overall victory for BMW M at Le Mans was secured by Yannick Dalmas, Joachim Winkelhock and Pierluigi Martini in the BMW V12 LMR in 1999. After a hiatus from the top class, BMW M has been competing with hypercars in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) since 2024, of which the Le Mans race forms part. In 2026, BMW M Team WRT arrives at Le Mans fresh from a one-two finish at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
What is the Le Mans start and is it still practised today?
In the Le Mans start, the drivers initially stand on the opposite side of the track and sprint to their cars at the starting signal. In the past, this often meant that drivers did not fasten their seatbelts straight away in order to save time. In 1969, the race began with Jacky Ickx demonstratively walking to his car and fastening his seatbelt fully in order to protest against this starting procedure. Tragically, the same race demonstrated just how justified the protest was, as John Woolfe suffered a fatal accident on the first lap – he was not yet buckled in at the time. As a result, the Le Mans start was abolished. Today, the cars at Le Mans start with a rolling start.
What was the worst accident at Le Mans?
The darkest hour in the history of Le Mans occurred on 11 June 1955. During the race, Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh collided with another car in his 300 SLR. The car rolled over several times and parts of it flew into the crowd – 83 people lost their lives.
How many drivers share a car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
How many drivers share a car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
As a rule, three drivers share a car during the 24 hours. No driver is allowed to spend more than 14 hours at the wheel, and a maximum of four hours at a time is permitted.
Which classes compete against each other at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Currently, three classes compete at Le Mans. Firstly, there is the top-tier Hypercar class. Alongside this are the GT3-based LMGT3 class and the LMP2 class featuring privately entered cars. In 2026, BMW M will compete in the Hypercar class with two BMW M Hybrid V8 cars and in the LMGT3 class with two BMW M4 GT3 EVO cars.
What is the Triple Crown of Motorsport and who has achieved it?
The Triple Crown of Motorsport is regarded as the highest honour in racing and consists of winning the Indianapolis 500, the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the past, winning the Formula 1 World Championship was counted instead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Regardless of the combination: to date, only one driver has achieved the Triple Crown, namely the exceptional British driver Graham Hill, who accomplished this feat in 1972.
How long does qualifying for Le Mans last and how is the starting grid determined?
Qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place during race week and spans several sessions. For the past few years, there has also been a Hyperpole session, in which the fastest cars in each class compete for the front grid positions.
What makes the night so special at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
What makes the night so special at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
As dusk falls, the drivers must adjust their eyes to the limited field of vision, while at the same time temperatures drop and the grip levels of the tyres change. For many drivers, it is the night-time hours that make the Le Mans race what it is: a true adventure.
How many spectators attend the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most well-attended motorsport events in the world. Over 300,000 spectators now regularly flock to the Le Mans region. Many more follow the race at home on their screens.
What significance does Le Mans hold for the development of production cars?
Le Mans has always been a testing ground for the automotive industry. Findings from the race have often been incorporated into production car development – from aerodynamics and braking systems to powertrain technologies.
Where is Le Mans broadcast on television?
Where is Le Mans broadcast on television?
In Germany, Le Mans is broadcast in full on Eurosport and via livestream on HBO Max and FIAWEC+ – a subscription is required for the latter streaming platforms. Availability may vary depending on your country. Teams can provide live onboard streams, as BMW M is doing this year for its four cars.
What notable Hollywood films are there about the Le Mans legend?
The most famous films about the 24 Hours of Le Mans are:
- “Le Mans” from 1971, starring legendary actor Steve McQueen, who was a professional racing driver himself alongside his Hollywood career. The film depicts a fictional race but uses original footage from the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- “Ford v Ferrari” by director James Mangold tells the true story of Carroll Shelby (played by Matt Damon) and Ken Miles (Oscar winner Christian Bale), who developed the Ford GT40 to break Ferrari’s dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1966 season. The film was a huge critical and commercial success and won two Oscars.
How many cars line up on the starting grid at Le Mans?
Nowadays, around 60 cars compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2026, 62 cars are entered – 18 in the Hypercar class, 19 in LMP2 and 25 in LMGT3.
Has a woman ever won the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
No woman has yet achieved an overall victory at Le Mans, but there have been various class wins. Of the 68 women who have competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to date, Odette Siko achieved the best overall finish in 1932: fourth place.
Which grandstands and spectator areas are considered the best for experiencing the race up close?
Which grandstands and spectator areas are considered the best for experiencing the race up close?
The grandstand opposite the pits is particularly popular, offering a view of the start-finish straight and all the action in the pits. Those who prefer corner action are best placed in the area around the Porsche curves or at the Dunlop chicane – or at the hard braking manoeuvres at Indianapolis and Arnage.
What can I expect from the supporting programme away from the actual race?
The supporting programme at Le Mans includes concerts, fireworks, car exhibitions and historic races from the Le Mans Classic series. In the Village Zone, visitors will find manufacturer pavilions from the major brands and can take part in autograph sessions with drivers as well as interactive experiences.
Has a driver ever completed the full 24 hours without a driver change?
Briton Eddie Hall is the only driver to have completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans single-handedly. Although a second driver was officially entered, he did not take part. In his 1950 race, Hall completed 236 laps and around 3,200 kilometres, finishing in a respectable eighth place with his daring solo effort. Nowadays, this practice is no longer permitted for safety reasons.
