Le Mans battle commences as per WEC declaration
Le Mans, the world's most grueling circuit-based race, has been a fearsome test since 1923. With 70% of the lap at full throttle and top speeds reaching 340km/h, this 13.626km beast is more than capable of breaking spirits aside from cars.
This brutal challenge demands an array of qualities to conquer it, encompassing mental and physical fortitude, quick thinking, and adaptability to sudden changes in conditions, be it during daylight or after dark.
Are Ferrari set to make it three in a row at this year's edition? The finals of the European season will see 36 regular WEC contenders joined by 26 more crews across Hypercar, LMGT3, and LMP2. The latter is competing at Le Mans on a one-off basis, with double points up for grabs for full-time championship contenders due to the race's increased difficulty.
Ferrari has been leading the charge, dominant in all three rounds to-date with their 499P. They're not only chasing a fourth consecutive victory in 2025, but also their third straight triumph at Le Sarthe, having won with the #51 entry, the current world championship leader, in 2023. They repeated this success with their sister #50 scarlet machine last year. The odds are in their favor, as history shows that every overall winner at Le Mans has triumphed at least three times in a row since the WEC began in 2012 [1][2][3].
However, Ferrari's rivals are far from defeated. Porsche, with 19 outright victories and the same number of pole positions, will be eager to take down the reigning champions. The memorable lap produced by home hero Kévin Estre last year secured the #6 Hypercar pole position, providing a tantalizing challenge for Ferrari. Yet, Porsche's most recent win at La Sarthe dates back to 2017, and their 963 Hypercar has yet to hit the podium in France [4].
Toyota, the series' most successful manufacturer, has similarly experienced a slump this season but boasts a stellar record at Le Mans, having taken the chequered flag either first or second every year since 2018 [5]. Notably, Sébastien Buemi now counts the most starts, wins, podiums, and joint-most titles in our platform WEC history.
Dark horses pursuing an upset include Cadillac, Peugeot, Alpine, BMW, Aston Martin, and a revamped LMGT3 field featuring iconic liveries, as Mercedes returns after a 25-year absence. McLaren and Iron Dames' all-female crew are other notable entrants, the latter racing in recognition of their new initiative 'Powering Your Dreams' [6].
The racing action kicks off with free practice on Wednesday, 11 June, followed by qualifying for all categories later that day. Hyperpole sessions defining the grid take place on Thursday, 12 June, with the race commencing at 16:00 CET on Saturday, 14 June [7].
The rivals of Ferrari, such as Porsche and Toyota, are determined to dethrone the champions in the grueling world of sports racing at this year's Le Mans. With Ferrari having a dominating lead in all three rounds so far, the high-stakes race promises a thrilling showdown between sports cars, including Hypercars, LMGT3, and LMP2, as they race to conquer the fearsome Le Sarthe circuit.
