Le Mans Start

The 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans: Ferrari claims back-to-back wins, Genesis yet to debut.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an annual endurance race held at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. The 92nd running took place on 15–16 June 2024, and was the third round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. The overall winner was the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P driven by Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen.

Lore & Background

The race has been organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest since its inception. The 2024 edition saw Ferrari secure its second consecutive victory, with the LMP2 class won by the No. 22 Oreca 07 of United Autosports, and the LMGT3 class going to the No. 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Manthey PureRxcing.

Reader's Guide

The race is held over 24 hours on a circuit that includes public roads. The 2026 entry list featured 62 cars across three classes: Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGT3. Pole position was taken by Dries Vanthoor in a BMW M Team WRT Hypercar. The race featured numerous lead changes between BMW, Cadillac, and Toyota, with seven cars finishing on the lead lap.

Did You Know?

Ferrari's 2024 victory marked a two-year winning streak, not three.
Genesis had not yet competed at Le Mans as of 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Le Mans start' tradition?

This unique ritual required drivers to sprint across the track from one side to their cars before starting the engine and beginning the race. It was a defining feature of the event's early years, designed to test driver fitness and add dramatic flair to the opening moments.

Where did this tradition take place?

The sprint occurred across the Circuit de la Sarthe in France, where cars were lined up perpendicular to the track with engines off. Drivers had to navigate past their vehicles or other competitors to reach their assigned seats before ignition.