Since its inception back in 1923, Le Mans has established itself as one of the undisputed highlights of the international motor racing calendar. Alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500, the gruelling twice-round-the-clock contest in northern France constitutes one third of the sport’s glittering ‘Triple Crown’ – a race that every driver dreams of adding to their résumé.

Eighteen ultra-competitive crews will do battle for outright honours in the headlining Hypercar class, including a trio of Ferrari 499Ps, with the legendary Italian marque’s all-conquering prototype having gone unbeaten in the race since 2023.

This year, the Prancing Horse faces a sterner threat than ever, with seven similarly hungry major automotive marques eager to usurp its throne. Toyota – the most successful manufacturer in FIA WEC history – got its bid to reclaim former glories off to the best possible start with victory in the Imola season-opener, while Hyundai’s premium marque Genesis will be making its maiden appearance at La Sarthe following a positive series debut last month.

Home heroes Alpine and Peugeot will enjoy a wealth of support, as will Kévin Estre and Julien Andlauer in LMP2. The two Frenchmen set the pace in the early hours of last year’s race, with Estre spectacularly fighting his way through the pack from 21st on the grid. The 2024 world champion and Le Mans pole-sitter has not won at Le Mans since 2018 in LMGTE Pro; with TDS Racing, he will be eyeing a return to the highest step of the rostrum.

Andlauer lines up alongside Team Peugeot TotalEnergies Development Driver Doriane Pin and Richard Verschoor at Duqueine Team, while ex-Alpine F1 ace Jack Doohan – who has recently re-directed his career to endurance racing in the European Le Mans Series – will take to the track for Nielsen Racing and two-time DTM champion, Nico Müller joins defending LMP2 race-winner, Inter Europol Competition.

Nineteen entries will head into action in LMP2, while 25 will tussle it out in LMGT3, with the entire field comprising 186 drivers – all targeting the top step of the podium in the most punishing and prestigious endurance race in the world.