The technical and administrative verifications are complete and the 62 cars entered in the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans (10–14 June 2026) have the all-clear to take the track.
Ferrari acknowledges that the competition is stiffer than ever, Toyota declares new intentions and each class counts several candidates for victory. One thing is for sure, the race is wide open.
Ferrari is aiming for a fourth win in a row. Toyota wants its top step back. Cadillac, BMW, Alpine and others believe it’s their turn.
Since the manufacturer’s return to the highest level of endurance in 2023, Ferrari has made its mark on Le Mans. Three consecutive victories make the 499P one of the race’s star models. Yet the Italian make’s drivers believe the context has changed this year. James Calado says there is more competition than in the past three years: “The car has also been altered and has slightly different tyres, so the team needs to adjust. The goal remains to win again, bearing in mind it won’t be easy.”
2024 winner Antonio Fuoco agrees. “Given the first two rounds of the season and the level of competition, it will be difficult to take four in a row. We are not as dominant as before. Having said that, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a different story. The car has always performed well here.”
Robert Kubica, driver of the winning #83 Ferrari AF Corse last year, the equation is simple: “The other teams have done a better job than us. But, things are different here. There won’t be much between us.”
A five-time winner of Le Mans, Toyota has not tasted victory at Le Mans since 2022. A strange feeling for a team that reigned supreme over the Circuit des 24 Heures not so long ago.
Toyota comes to the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans with a very different Hypercar to last year’s. The TR010 that won the 6 Hours of Imola could hold the Ferrari 499P at bay. Technical Director David Floury suggests a change: “Our aim is to get back into winning mode. But Cadillac, BMW and Ferrari are very strong. We’ve worked hard on our set-up and our approach to the race, to improve our position.”
Kamui Kobayashi, driver of the #7 Toyota TR010 adds: “We’ll be more aggressive.”
If that isn’t a challenge for Ferrari-AF Corse…
Romain Dumas back at Le Mans
Think Le Mans LMP2 class and you think Romain Dumas. The two-time winner is taking part with his own team RD Limited this year, his 24th start. Last weekend he was busy preparing for the Pikes Peak hill climb, so he called in from his hotel room, despite the time difference. “We fought hard to be here this year. It’s a particularly good feeling to be taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with my own team. We’re here to enjoy the ride and make it to the finish line.”
No doubt about it, some drivers have an extra-special relationship with this race.
In LMGT3, Mercedes, Lexus and McLaren are all dreaming big
Iron Lynx are back this year and much surer of the Mercedes-AMG. “The car is better prepared and more competitive”, explains Maxime Martin. “We know what to expect this time. Experience makes us stronger.”
As for Akkodis ASP Team, their car evolved this winter. The Lexus RC F LMGT3 shed 25 kilogrammes to keep pace with the more recent models. José María López, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in 2021, believes in his team’s potential. “We’ve come a long way. Today, we have the means to compete with the leaders.”
McLaren has some solid arguments too. Fielded by the Garage 59 customer team, the 720S LMGT3 Evo took its first win, in the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, earlier this season. “It’s a fast car,” says Thomas Fleming. “Its top speed is one of its greatest strengths.” Given the long straights of the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, that strength could prove decisive.
The two BMW M4 LMGT3 of Team WRT were the last to undergo the scrutineering procedures this year. The many alterations made to the car over the winter months proved judicious, as they won the Imola round. “The turbo, the brakes… the car’s been improved in many ways,” says Augusto Farfus. “We hope the changes will enable us to be among the leaders.”
Most of the LMGT3 field feel the same!
On the first day, 39 of 62 cars completed the mandatory administrative and technical checks and drivers had the opportunity to give an insight their Le Mans 2026.
Driver of the #43 ORECA 07-Gibson Kuba Śmiechowski said: “We are coming off three consecutive podium finishes. This year, we want to win again.”
Teammate Tom Dillmann said: “There is no race greater than the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I think we are still the favourites. Honestly, our car is performing very well here. In the LMP2 class, it comes down to merit. We all have the same package. So, it is up to the teams and drivers to make the difference. You have to be fast throughout the entire race.”
Leading the standings in the FIA Endurance Hypercar Manufacturers Championship after a win at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, BMW M Team WRT is heading into the season’s main event with confidence.
Kevin Magnussen said: “We are well-prepared for the most important race of the year, one we need to win. Even so, it is impossible to single out a favourite for an event like this. Everyone has a chance. That said, we are definitely full of energy and hope after the race at Spa.”
One of the big draws of the 2026 24 Hours is the arrival of the Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercars clad in a spectacular, shimmering orange livery that evokes the magma of Korean volcanoes. Hyundai’s luxury model is making its rookie debut at Le Mans with humility. Three-time winner André Lotterer knows better than anyone what awaits the newcomer.
André Lotterer said: “We know how challenging it is to make a breakthrough in the very
first year of competition, especially against teams with so much experience. Our approach is quite simple: to focus on our performance while getting the most out of the car. Our goal is to reach the finish line and, in doing so, build a solid foundation for the future.”
Peugeot took its first start in the Le Mans classic 100 years ago. Now the French carmaker returns seeking to turn progress made since the beginning of the season into tangible results. Driver of the #94 Peugeot 9X8 Loïc Duval: We want to optimise our package and achieve the best possible result. Test Day will be crucial. Our cars are designed to perform at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but outside of testing and the race itself, we never get to drive on the circuit.
Teammate Malthe Jakobsen said: “This progress is a huge source of motivation for the entire team. I believe we have demonstrated real potential. That is possible when the group is united. At the same time, the start of the season has shown that the FIA WEC is a highly competitive championship where nothing comes easily. We need to get all the details right to turn our capabilities into results.”
Thanks to the inimitable sound of its naturally aspirated V12, the Aston Martin Valkyrie continues to electrify fans. Following a successful debut in 2025, the British constructor is back with even loftier ambitions. The #007 Aston Martin finished fourth at this year’s TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps trailed by two BMWs and a Ferrari.
Driver of the #007, Tom Gamble said: “Last year, the goal was to finish the race, gather as much data as possible and learn. The car is becoming increasingly competitive. We are working tirelessly to improve it. The result at Spa is highly motivating ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are hoping for a podium finish.”
Cadillac is one of the most highly anticipated marques this year. Since joining the Hypercar class in 2023, the V-Series.R has carved out a special place in the hearts of fans thanks to its workhorse naturally aspirated V8.
Sébastien Bourdais, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA said: “I think this will be one of the closest races in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
After extensive development efforts completed over the winter months, the American carmaker likes its chances.
Driver of the #12 Cadillac Will Stevens said: “We had a good preparation period. It allowed us to understand the car’s evolution. We delivered strong performances in the first two rounds of the season. That gives us confidence. Driver of the #38, Sébastien Bourdais: We hope to be able to fight for something bigger than Hyperpole. Our package should be competitive. I think this will be one of the closest races in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Lastly, Alpine Endurance Team wrapped up the proceedings in the Hypercar class on day 1 of Scrutineering with its two A424s. Although the manufacturer has announced the shuttering of its endurance racing programme at the end of the year, it remains no less ambitious.
Team Principal Philippe Sinault said: “We have never been better prepared. We really understand the car. The team is mature. Since the start of the season, we have taken a step forward in both sporting and technical terms. As a result, we are capable of achieving
great things in this 94th running. When you are Alpine and you take part in this race, you have to be determined.”
Will Doriane Pin become the first woman driver on the 24 hours of Le Mans podium?
One of two female drivers set to take the start in the 2026 24 Hours, Doriane Pin (age 22) will represent Duqueine Team in LMP2.
The French outfit is currently leading the LMP2 Pro/Am class in the European Le Mans Series after two rounds. Along with Julien Andlauer and Richard Verschoor, the 2025 F1 Academy winner is excited to take her second start in the race.
Doriane Pin said: “I am delighted to be back. I’m here with more endurance racing experience under my belt. The team is putting in a tremendous amount of work to get ready for the race. We have a real shot at a podium finish or even the win in LMP2. We have every reason to believe it’s possible.
GT enthusiasts were in no way disappointed on day 1 of Scrutineering as Ferrari, Corvette, Aston Martin, Ford, and Porsche put on a spectacular parade at the place de la République.
Driver of Vista AF Corse’s #21 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 EVO François Hériau: “We finished second on the podium last year. Now, we want more. We are going to do everything we can to take the top spot. We are extremely well-prepared. I have been teaming up with Simon Mann and Alessio Rovera for three seasons now and we have developed a natural rapport and really enjoy our time together. Our team spirit will certainly be an asset.”
In the LMGT3 class, history is in the making as Ferrari gets ready to face off once again against Ford. The German team Proton Competition has entered two Mustang LMGT3s. At the wheel of the #88 is a former Formula 1 driver (36 starts) gearing up for his rookie 24 Hours.
Logan Sargeant said: “This will be my second 24-hour race, following the Rolex 24 at Daytona I competed in earlier this year. I hope our race goes well. It’s so exciting.
Aren’t we all dreaming of another showdown between Ford and Ferrari — similar to the one brilliantly depicted in James Mangold’s film “Le Mans ’66” (“Ford v Ferrari”) — in the Hypercar class in 2027? We’ve done a lot of groundwork, particularly in the simulator. The car’s first run is coming up soon.”
Driver of the #77 Ford, Ben Tuck said: “The car has evolved significantly over the past three years. It is very difficult to say whether we are favourites or challengers this week. Even after the Test Day, it is hard to establish a pecking order. We won’t truly know the competitive landscape until the first two or three laps of the race. We hope to be in the mix.”
With every car checked, every driver introduced and every photo taken at the place de la République, Le Mans is brought a little closer to its moment of truth. In a few days, when the engines roar on the pit straight for 24 hours of battle, everyone will be able to say: I was there from the very beginning. By Melissa Warren
