24 Heures du Mans

About the Event

The 24 Hours of Le Mans

A true icon of motorsport, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the most legendary endurance race in the world. Created in 1923 and organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), this event takes place every year on the Circuit de la Sarthe, a unique 13.6 km track that combines closed public roads and a permanent race circuit.

For 24 hours, teams of three drivers take turns without interruption, battling against time, night, weather, and mechanical wear. Victory doesn’t always go to the fastest car, but to the one that best combines performance, reliability, strategy, and endurance. Le Mans is far more than a race: it’s a human and technological challenge, an open-air laboratory for manufacturers.

A Legacy Written by the Greatest Names in Automotive History

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been the stage for legendary duels and iconic cars. In the 1960s, the Ford GT40 and Ferrari 330 P4 clashed in a now-mythical rivalry, immortalized in the film Le Mans '66 (Ford v Ferrari). The 1980s and 1990s saw the triumph of the incredible Porsche 956 and 962, while Audi revolutionized the discipline in the 2000s with its diesel R10 and hybrid e-tron quattro prototypes.

Each decade brings its share of innovation, drama, and triumph, with models that have become automotive legends: the Mazda 787B with its unique rotary engine, the Bentley Speed 8, the Peugeot 905, and more recently, the Toyota GR010 Hybrid.

Even today, Le Mans attracts the world’s leading manufacturers Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, Peugeot, BMW, Cadillac in a quest for glory where exclusivity, performance, and history converge.

Iconic Models of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has given birth to some of the most iconic cars in automotive history. These exceptional machines are not just racecars they’ve become legends, celebrated for their performance, design, and rarity. Here is a selection of must-know models:

Ford GT40 (1966 1969)

Developed to beat Ferrari, the GT40 embodies the American comeback. A four-time Le Mans winner, it remains one of the most famous prototypes of all time.

Ferrari 330 P4 (1967)

One of the most beautiful racecars ever created. Although it never won Le Mans, the 330 P4 is a symbol of the legendary Ferrari vs. Ford rivalry.

Porsche 917 (1970 1971)

With its flat-12 engine and futuristic design, the 917 gave Porsche its first Le Mans victory. A technical and visual legend.

Mazda 787B (1991)

The first and only Le Mans victory by a rotary engine. Its distinctive roar and orange-green livery have gone down in history.

Audi R8 / R10 TDI / R18 e-tron (2000 2014)

A period of technological domination. Audi’s era brought major innovations: diesel engines, hybrid systems, and remarkable consistency.

Peugeot 905 / 908 HDi FAP (1992, 2009)

A symbol of French engineering. The 905 claimed victory in 1992, and the 908 marked a powerful comeback with a 2009 win against Audi.

Toyota TS050 / GR010 Hybrid (2018 2023)

The reward for a decade of effort. Toyota’s ultra-efficient hybrid prototypes reflect the shift toward greener endurance racing.

Ferrari 499P (2023 ...)

Ferrari’s triumphant return to the top category in 2023, securing a brilliant victory in its very first Hypercar entry.