Aksel Kryhlmand
Mercedes is back at Le Mans for the first time since the infamous flying CLR debacle of 1999.
Mercedes is back at Le Mans for the first time since the infamous flying CLR debacle of 1999.
The 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours
The legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans returns for its 93rd time, and the stage is set for another weekend of high stakes endurance racing.
With manufacturers and drivers from across the globe converging on Circuit de la Sarthe, this year’s edition promises drama, unpredictability, and iconic moments.
Here are five major storylines to follow before the race.
1. Ferrari Chases a Historic Le Mans Hattrick
Ferrari enters the 2025 Le Mans on a hot streak, having won the first three rounds of the WEC season (FIA World Endurance Championship).
Their two factory cars are formidable. The #51 crew James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Antonio Giovinazzi, leads the Drivers’ Championship, while the #50, featuring Miguel Molina, Antonio Fuoco, and Nicklas Nielsen, returns as the reigning Le Mans winner.
The #83 privateer AF Corse entry adds further depth with Phil Hanson, Yifei Ye, and Robert Kubica. Although it struggled at Spa, it still ranks third in the standings.
If all runs smoothly, Ferrari could pull off a three-peat, an achievement that would cement their current dominance in endurance racing.
2. Can Toyota Take Back the Crown?
Toyota, once the undisputed king of Le Mans, has lost out to Ferrari in the last two years. Their response? A renewed push, highlighted by a promising pre-race showing in testing.
The #8 car, driven by Brendon Hartley, Sébastien Buemi, and Ryo Hirakawa, topped the time sheets, suggesting the fight is very much alive.
Meanwhile, the #7 car, featuring Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, and Nyck de Vries, will sport a nostalgic GT-One tribute livery, a nod to Toyota’s near-misses in the late 1990s.
The pressure is on for the Japanese team to reclaim its glory.
3. Porsche, Cadillac and a Pack of Hypercar Contenders
Porsche has done everything but win at Le Mans since entering the Hypercar class. Despite success in IMSA and a championship-winning 2024 WEC season, a Le Mans win still eludes the 963.
Four entries, three with Penske, one with Proton, does show off strength, but reliability and fortune will be key.
Cadillac, meanwhile, brings muscle from IMSA (International Motor Sports Association), with Wayne Taylor Racing and Whelan Express Motorsport making strong debuts.
Jota Motorsport’s entry, featuring Jenson Button and Sébastien Bourdais, adds firepower to the mix.
Keep an eye on BMW’s Kevin Magnussen and the surging French Alpine team, featuring Mick Schumacher, as outside bets.
Aston Martin’s return with the Valkyrie adds spice, though it has yet to score points this season.
4. LMP2: A Wide-Open Battle Among Familiar Foes
Though no longer a WEC mainstay, LMP2 remains fiercely competitive at Le Mans.
Top billing goes to United Motorsport (Zak Brown’s team) and Inter Europol Competition the past two winners who’ve each scored big wins in IMSA this year.
IDEC Sport looks set to disrupt the status quo, leading the European Le Mans Series with wins at Barcelona and Paul Ricard Circuit.
Notably, Jamie Chadwick makes her 24-hour debut in the team’s #18 Oreca.
The field also includes strong entries from AF Corse, AO Racing (with its eye-catching ‘Spike’ livery), and Proton Competition.
5. GT3 Sees Mercedes Return After a 26-Year Absence
The GT3 field is perhaps the most unpredictable, with a wide range of teams and drivers chasing class honours.
AF Corse’s #21 Ferrari and TF Sport’s Corvette are strong bets, with drivers like Alessio Rovera and Jonny Edgar in the mix.
Racing legend Valentino Rossi headlines Team WRT’s BMW entry, gunning for his first Le Mans win. Despite finishing second at Imola, the #46 crew remains underdogs, but dangerous ones.
The Iron Dames return in their pink #85 Porsche, with Sarah Bovy stepping in for the injured Michelle Gatting.
In a nostalgic twist, Mercedes is back at Le Mans for the first time since the infamous flying CLR debacle of 1999. The Iron Lynx-run trio of AMG GT3s has struggled so far this season but brings undeniable intrigue.
When and Where to Watch
The 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours kicks off at 4 PM CET on Saturday the 14th of June, running through to 4 PM CET Sunday the 15th.
Depending on where you live, there are different channels to watch out for, if you wanna tune in to one of the most anticipated races of the year.
Qualifying takes place across Wednesday and Thursday, setting the grid for what promises to be a spectacular edition of motorsport’s greatest endurance race.