BMW vs. Mercedes
Ferrari triumphs again at the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans was an automobile endurance race for teams of three drivers each racing Le Mans Prototypes (LMP) and Le Mans Grand Touring Car (LMGT3) cars held from 15 to 16 June 2024 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, France.
- Era of Peak Conflict
- Late 1980s Group C
- Key BMW Model
- M1 Procar / E30 M3 (Touring) & V12 LMR (1999)
- Key Mercedes Model
- C9, C11, CLK-LM
- Shared Origin
- Germany
Lore & Background
The race was the fourth round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. A new LMGT3 category replaced the ageing LMGTE Am class. The LMP2 category was retained for Le Mans but entries did not earn championship points. The system for race restarts was modified to remove the 'drop-back' feature. The ACO prohibited the heating of tyres through the use of tyre warmers. The road between Mulsanne and Arnage corners was resurfaced for the first time since 2005.
In Their Own Story
The rain hammered the Mulsanne Straight as the BMW V12 LMR roared past the pit wall, its engine note a deep, guttural growl that echoed off the grandstands. Just seconds behind, the sleek silver silhouette of the Mercedes CLK-LM sliced through the wet spray, its aerodynamic profile hugging the track with surgical precision. In the cockpit, the drivers knew this wasn't just about lap times; it was a continuation of a century-old German duel played out on French tarmac. As they braked for Indianapolis, the headlights cut through the darkness, two beacons of engineering excellence locked in an eternal struggle for glory.
Reader's Guide
It only describes the 2024 race, which featured Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGT3 classes.
Did You Know?
- Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen's Ferrari 499P took the overall victory after 311 laps, Ferrari's second consecutive win and 11th overall.
- A record number of cars, nine, finished on the lead lap.
- United Autosports won the LMP2 class, giving the team its second category victory after 2020.
- The Manthey EMA team won the first LMGT3 race at Le Mans in a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992).
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the BMW vs. Mercedes rivalry peak at Le Mans?
The conflict reached its height during the late 1980s Group C era, where both German giants battled for supremacy with turbocharged prototypes.
What were the key technical differences between their cars?
BMW relied on raw power from turbocharged engines, while Mercedes focused on high-revving performance and advanced aerodynamics in models like the Sauber C9.
Which manufacturer dominated this specific rivalry period?
Mercedes-Benz secured dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s with their C9 and C11 prototypes, often outpacing BMW's efforts during that golden age of endurance racing.
Did these two teams ever race directly against each other?
Yes, they competed head-to-head in the late 1980s, creating one of the most intense manufacturer clashes in Le Mans history before Mercedes pulled ahead.
Why is this German-on-German feud significant to fans?
This rivalry represents a classic battle of distinct engineering philosophies, showcasing how two national titans pushed the limits of speed and technology on the Sarthe circuit.
More in Famous Rivalries & Feuds
Elsewhere in the 24 Hours of Le Mans universe
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