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christian garcia
June 07, 2023
This weekend the most important race in the world is celebrated: The 24 Hours of Le Mans. If you don’t want to lose any detail and stay up-to-date to be able to follow this exciting competition, pay attention to this simple guide in which we explain the keys to the race, its schedules and where to see it.
We are less than three days away from the beginning of the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most important race in the world, and you can imagine that no motor lover will want to miss it… In addition to the 100-year anniversary, this 91st edition brings with it the return of several mythical brands closely linked to competition. For this reason, below we are going to explain in great detail how to follow the most mythical endurance test on the calendar.
These are the 10 best cars of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Before, as we say, it should be noted that the reign of Toyota could be in danger. After unquestionably winning the last five editions, the Japanese will find much more competition this year with the incorporation of the new Hypercar category and with the participation of new rivals like Ferrari, Porsche, Peugeot and Cadillac… or, at least, that’s what we fans hope.
The race It will start at 4:00 p.m. this Saturday., June 10, and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, when we already have official winners in each of the categories. As always, we will be more than attentive to the hands of the Spaniards, which this year there are three: Miguel Molina, in one of the Ferrari Hypercars fighting for absolute victory; Albert Costa, fighting among the LMP2; and Álex Riberas, trying to win the GTE-Am crown.
What categories run in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
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Every year the regulations are usually modified to unify the conditions in which the different teams run. In 2023 they are:
- hypercars: It is the premier category with the fastest cars, true racing cars with hybrid mechanics that have been specifically designed for the endurance championship. This year it has the plus of the incorporation of new brands that will try to take the crown from Toyota.
- LMP2: are vehicles also specifically designed for this type of racing. Any resemblance to a road car is purely coincidental and they are the fastest after the Hypercars. The main difference is that the teams, instead of being official, are private; and that among its pilots there must be non-professionals, known in slang as gentleman drivers.
- LM GTE AM: These are cars derived from series GT such as the Porsche 911, Aston Martin Vantage, Ferrari 488 or Chevrolet Corvette, among others.
Another of the incentives of this race is that professional and amateur pilots can compete.
The schedules of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023
Before the race, a series of training sessions are carried out that serve, in addition to making the last adjustments and the adaptation of the pilots to the race, to determine starting order. As the race is held on a circuit that runs along stretches of road open to the public, its schedules are very specific:
- Wednesday, June 7: free practice at 2:00 p.m., first qualifying round at 7:00 p.m. and free night practice at 10:00 p.m.
- Thursday June 8: free practice at 3:00 p.m., Hyperpole at 8:00 p.m. and night free practice at 10:00 p.m.
- Friday June 9: parade of pilots at 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday June 10: Warm Up at 10:30 a.m. and departure at 4 p.m.
- Sunday June 11: end of the race at 4:00 p.m.
Unlike other races, in Le Mans the first to cross the finish line does not win. At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 24 hours after the start, the car that has covered the most distance in that time will win.
How to follow and watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans
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As is logical, the best way to see this race is live, not only because of the competition itself, but also because of the atmosphere that is breathed in it. Far from the elitist Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans are an event in which people of all kinds of social class and age mix. It is a party in style in which there is even a small amusement park within the circuit itself and the camps and camaraderie among all the attendees are normal.
Unfortunately, there is not room for all the fans who want to attend, so many are left out and others simply cannot travel to La Sarthe (France) and have no choice but to follow the test for television or internet. Fortunately, the Internet has opened a new window to be able to follow this mythical race live, which can be viewed through the championship’s own website (FIA WEC TV), for €12.99, or through Eurosport Player. This sports channel is also paid (€6.99/month), but is included in the contracting of other packages such as DAZN.
Of course, in parallel, the Youtube channels and social networks of the different participating teams will also keep their followers up to date. Now all we have left is to enjoy!
