Everything you need to know about Le Mans 2023. The programme, highlights, rule changes, starters, how to get to the race. And also the current results.
Le Mans in France is a legendary endurance race that attracts the attention of motoring fans from all over the world every year. This year it’s going 100th year of this prestigious race that offers uncompromising action and excitement at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Le Mans 2023 in highlights
- Date and venue: June 10-11, 2023 in Le Mans, France
- This year’s Le Mans is already the 91st year of the race and celebrates 100 years since its establishment
- The race is run on a circuit Circuit of the Sarthewhich is 13.6 km long and uses normal public roads
- They exist 3 categories of carsparticipating in the race: LMH (Le Mans Hypercar), LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) and LMGTE Am (Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance)
- It’s at the start 62 crews from different categories
- Ability to track the live broadcast of the race is on Eurosport
- He also participates familiar faces from Formula 1such as Jenson Button, Robert Kubica and Daniil Kvyat
Test results: Ferrari fastest
During the test day (June 4, 2023), Ferrari was once again the fastest in Le Mans and maintained first position in the second practice as well. Antonio Giovinazzi drove the Ferrari 499P Hypercar with the best time of the day, 3 minutes and 29.504 seconds.
Porsche finished in second place. Third place was secured by Toyota with a time of 3 minutes 29.827 seconds, driven by Kamui Kobayashi. Other notable performances include three Penske Motorsport Porsches in the top six and a Jota leading in LMP2. The JMW Ferrari team topped the times in GTE Am. Free practice starts on Wednesday, the test day is not an official part of the race weekend
| Schedule Le Mans 2023 | ||
| June 7, 2023 | 14:00 | free training sessions |
| 19:00 | qualifications | |
| 22:00 | free training sessions 2 | |
| June 8, 2023 | 20:00 | hyperpole* |
| 22:00 | free training sessions 3 | |
| June 10, 2023 (Saturday) | 16:00 | start of the 24h race |
| * Hyperpole decides the order at the start, it is the best time for one lap of one driver from each car. | ||
Road to Le Mans
Le Mans is located in the northwest of France, in the Sarthe department and in the Pays De La Loire region. It is located approximately 200 km southwest of Paris.
The Le Mans circuit can be reached from the city center by bus and tram, and the Center Des Expositions is just a short distance away.
For those flying to Le Mans, the nearest airport is Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris (CDG), which is approximately 150 km away. Another option is Paris Orly Airport (ORY), which is approximately 239 km from Le Mans. From Paris to Le Mans you can take the TGV train from Paris Montparnasse station to Le Mans station, the journey takes approximately 54 minutes.
Rules of the 24h Le Mans 2023
The Le Mans hypercars have had a significant adjustment to the BoP balance system settings. The dominant Toyotas received additional weight in the form of almost 40 kg. BoP changes relate to weight, powertrain power, amount of usable energy per stint, and speed to activate the hybrid system.
The defending WEC and Le Mans champion Toyotas were the most affected by the BoP changes. They gained an extra 37 kg and their total output is now 512 kW with 908 MJ for stint and activation of the hybrid system from 190 km/h. Toyota’s sudden BoP change ahead of Le Mans tests drew criticism.
Kategorie ve 24h Le Mans 2023
The starting field of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is divided into 4 categories that have clearly defined rules. The most prestigious and fastest class is LMH (Le Mans Hypercar), which is also the most expensive. This class practically excludes the possibility of winning cars from other categories.
The next class is LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2), which is mainly intended for private teams and is more affordable. This class is often the most numerous in the starting field. Other categories are LMGTE Pro a LMGTE Am (Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance), which include modified civilian GT-type sports cars.
Le Mans 2023 results
Here you will find the interim and final results of Le Mans 2023 as soon as they are officially available. Ferrari set the fastest times so far during both practice sessions, but other factors will play the biggest role, given the extreme length of the race. Ferrari returns to the race after 50 years!
Who won Le Mans 2022
Toyota secured a fifth straight win at the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours as Buemi, Hartley and Hirakawa crossed the checkered flag in dominant fashion. The #8 Toyota crossed the finish line two minutes ahead of the #7 Toyota driven by Kobayashi, Lopez and Conway.
Despite limited competition from Glickenhaus and Alpine, the Toyota briefly suffered a complication when Lopez stopped on track, but quickly resolved the problem and rejoined the race, losing a lap in the process.
Le Mans records
- Alexander Wurz was just 22 years old when he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1996 at his first attempt.
- The Guinness Book of Records holds a lap record of 3 minutes 17.297 seconds. Achieved by Mike Conway behind the wheel of a Toyota TS050 Hybrid in 2019.
- Driver Henri Pescarolo took part in the race 33 times between 1966-2009, winning in 1972, 73 and 74 for Matra and in 1984 for Porsche.
