24 hours of le mans 2023: Your Must Know Guide to the 2023 Event

24 hours of le mans 2023 is widely regarded as the world’s greatest sports-car race. In this article, we’ll explore the latest edition of the event, highlighting key elements to look out for and interesting facts to enhance your understanding of this awe-inspiring spectacle.

If you have an interest in racing, The World’s Greatest Sports-Car Race – Le Mans – is an event that you simply must witness at least once to appreciate the pinnacle of sports car endurance racing.

For the avid motorsports enthusiast, attending the race should be a priority on their bucket list, as it is an awe-inspiring spectacle that must be experienced firsthand. In this article, we will highlight some of the key elements to look out for during the 24 hours of le mans 2023 race, as well as provide some interesting facts to enhance your understanding of the event.

 

Top Cars to Keep an Eye on at 24 hours of le mans 2023

The 2023 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans promises to be an exciting event, with a range of impressive cars on display.

• One of the standout contenders to keep an eye on is the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, who are competing in the top Hypercar class with their GR010 Hybrid cars. Despite facing tough competition in this category, Toyota’s investment in their factory team and their world-class driver lineup make them strong contenders to win the race. So, be sure to watch out for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team as they take on the grueling endurance race at Le Mans.
• Cadillac is set to compete with two formidable factory teams at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, each with their V-Series R car. In total, three of these cars will race at Le Mans. The V-Series R has already demonstrated impressive performance this season, securing a third-place finish at the Daytona 24 Hour. The Cadillac team boasts a strong driver lineup, including notable names such as Sébastien Bourdais and Scott Dixon, who will be driving the No. 3 car. These factors make Cadillac a team to watch closely during the upcoming race.
• Ferrari is making a significant comeback to the top tier of Le Mans racing after a 50-year hiatus, with the introduction of their Ferrari 499P cars in the Hypercar class. The Italian automaker is fielding two factory entries, which are expected to perform strongly at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• Ferrari has a rich history at Le Mans, having won the race nine times in the past, and their return to the Hypercar class has generated a lot of excitement among fans and competitors alike. With the 499P, Ferrari is expected to showcase its technological expertise and racing prowess, making them another team to watch closely during the upcoming event.
• The No. 33 Corvette will be competing in the LMGTE AM class this year, with only one factory entry and one Corvette in the entire field. The last time a Corvette won its class at Le Mans was back in 2015, and it would be a huge accomplishment for the mid-engine C8.R to take home the win this year. Fans of the Corvette will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the No. 33 car and rooting for its success at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• In the Innovative Car (Garage 56) class, Hendrick Motorsports is fielding a unique one-off Chevy Camaro ZL1. This special entry features a star-studded driver lineup, with legendary NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and former Formula One star Jenson Button set to take the wheel. This innovative car is sure to draw attention from fans and competitors alike, and it will be interesting to see how it performs during the race.

 

Which American Drivers are Racing at the 24 hours of le mans 2023?

 

The 24 hours of le mans 2023 of le mans 2023 of Le Mans will feature a strong contingent of American drivers, with over 180 drivers set to compete across the 62 entered cars.

Hypercar class, notable American drivers include Dane Cameron, who will be driving for Penske Porsche, Gustavo Menezes for Peugeot, and Ryan Brisco for Glickenhaus.

LMP2 class, Ricky Taylor will be racing for Tower Motorsports, while Ben Keating will be driving for Corvette Racing C8.R in the LMGTE AM class.

In addition, NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson will be driving the innovative Chevy Camaro ZL1 in the special Innovative Car class. These American drivers will be looking to make their mark at Le Mans and showcase their racing skills on the global stage.

 

24 hours of le mans 2023 Car Classes

The top class at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans is the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class, which features prototypes that can be equipped with a front-axle hybrid drivetrain.

There is also a new second Hypercar group, called Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) or GTP, which includes teams and Le Mans prototype-style cars from the U.S.-based WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

LMDh cars are less sophisticated hybrids with chassis supplied by Dallara, Multimatic, Ligier, or Oreca, while LMH cars may be built by the car manufacturers themselves.

The 2023 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will feature a highly anticipated Hypercar showdown between formidable factory entries from top car manufacturers such as Toyota, Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Glickenhaus, Vanwall, Cadillac, and Peugeot.

The LMH and LMDh cars are expected to deliver thrilling performances, showcasing the latest automotive technologies and pushing the limits of endurance racing. Fans can look forward to an exciting and competitive race as these top-tier teams battle it out for the coveted title of 24 Hours of Le Mans champion.

Beneath the Hypercar classes are the LMP2 cars, which are a more cost-conscious prototype class designed for private teams. Four constructors participate in this class, namely Dallara, Oreca, Riley-Multimatic, and Onroak.

These cars are built to strict regulations that ensure parity and close racing, making them a popular choice among private teams looking to compete at the highest level of endurance racing.

The LMP2 class has a strong history at Le Mans, with past winners including notable teams such as Signatech Alpine, United Autosports, and Jackie Chan DC Racing.

The final class at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans is the LM GTE Am, which is the lone GT class after the LM GTE Pro class ran its final race at Le Mans last year.

LM GTE Am machines resemble road cars and share similarities with their production counterparts. Competing in this class are top car manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Ford, Chevrolet, and BMW.

The beauty of this class is that it allows both professional and amateur drivers to participate, making it a highly competitive and exciting class to watch.

The LM GTE Am class features balance of performance (BoP) adjustments, which are used to level the playing field by impacting cars’ performance through various means such as engine power and weight.

This ensures that every car has an equal opportunity to win the race, regardless of the manufacturer or team. Fans can expect to see some close racing in this class, with teams pushing their cars to the limit in their quest for victory.

 

What Makes The 24 Hours Of Le Mans The Greatest Sports-Car Race in the World?

 

While the Major League Baseball’s World Series is undoubtedly a major sporting event, some may question whether it truly deserves the title of “world series.”

On the other hand, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a truly global event, featuring some of the best drivers and teams from all over the world, competing on one of the finest, smoothest, scariest, and most exciting tracks in the world.

Le Mans is a race that commands immense respect and attention from the global motorsports community.

Many other racing series pause their own seasons when Le Mans is scheduled to run, in order to allow their drivers and teams to compete at this prestigious event.

This has been the case since the first race was held in 1923, and there is no end in sight.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans truly lives up to its title as a world-class event, showcasing the pinnacle of endurance racing and drawing fans from all corners of the globe.

 

What is the 24 hours of le mans Race and why is it so famous?

 

Discover Circuit de la Sarthe, the 8.467-mile long racetrack just outside Le Mans, France that hosts the iconic Le Mans race. It consists of a combination of designated racetrack and public roads that are closed for the race each year.

In comparison, the longest track used in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which includes renowned races like the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, is Road America in Wisconsin, measuring just over 4 miles in length.

In 2010, the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans set a remarkable record by covering a staggering 3,360 miles. The track is so immense that weather conditions can vary significantly from one end of the circuit to the other, with one section being sunny and dry while another is experiencing heavy rain.

At night, the challenge becomes even more daunting as some turns that are already difficult during the day become a true test of courage, skill, and luck to navigate without incident. Drivers must rely on their instincts and experience to make their way through the darkness and come out on top.

This year, the green flag will wave on Saturday June 10th, marking the start of another thrilling 24 Hours of Le Mans race. After two full days of intense competition, the checkered flag will wave, signaling the end of the race and adding another chapter to the storied history of this legendary endurance event.

 

Understanding the Driver-Rating System in Endurance Racing, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is sanctioned by both the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA). To ensure fair competition, every driver who competes at Le Mans is assigned one of four driver ratings, as determined by these organizations.

The driver ratings include Bronze, which is reserved for amateur racers, Silver for more experienced drivers who may not yet be racing professionally, Gold for professional drivers who have achieved a certain level of success, and Platinum, which is reserved for the most elite and accomplished drivers in the world.

These driver ratings help to ensure that teams are fielding competitive and evenly matched lineups, and that the race is providing a level playing field for all competitors. Drivers of all ratings have the opportunity to compete at Le Mans, making it a truly inclusive and exciting event for both drivers and spectators alike.

Some racing classes require teams to have a mix of differently rated drivers per car, which encourages Bronze and Silver-rated racers to participate in races.

These so-called “gentleman drivers” often contribute significant amounts of money out of their own pockets to help cover the cost of fielding the car. In return, they share the car with more experienced drivers who don’t have to pay to race.

However, there are also racing classes where anything goes. For instance, the two top-ranked Toyota Gazoo GR010-Hybrid cars in the Hypercar class will be piloted by multiple Platinum drivers, while many other teams have at least two Bronze drivers. Most driver combinations fall somewhere in between.

This can lead to some exciting moments during the race, such as when a Toyota traveling at nearly 200 mph at night in the rain comes upon a car driven by a Bronze-rated driver that is going much slower.

 

Can Anyone Participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Race?

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most famous and challenging races in the world of motorsports. However, not everyone can participate in the race. Drivers must meet specific criteria, including holding a valid racing license and meeting the driver-rating system requirements. Additionally, teams must have the financial resources to cover the significant cost of fielding a competitive car.

Nevertheless, Le Mans does offer opportunities for drivers of various skill levels to participate in the race, often as part of a team with more experienced drivers. The driver-rating system ensures that all drivers are competing at a similar level and that less experienced drivers are not put in dangerous situations.

Overall, the Le Mans race provides opportunities for both professional and amateur drivers to compete in one of the most challenging and prestigious races in the world, but only if they meet the necessary criteria and have the financial resources to compete.

 

24 Hours of Le Mans 2023: Live Streaming, Start Time, and Full Schedule

The 24 Hours of Le Mans can be live-streamed for viewers in the US on MotorTrend TV (US) and Velocity TV (Canada). Live streaming is also available on MotorTrend+ and Fubo.

The event starts on Saturday, June 10 with a warm-up session at 5:45 am (ET), followed by pre-race coverage at 9 am (ET). The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 race begins at 10 am (ET).

On Sunday, June 11, the race is scheduled to end at 10 am (ET).

Viewers in the US can watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans live on MotorTrend TV, MotorTrend+, and Fubo. The start time of the race is 5:45 am (ET).

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this prestigious and challenging race live and in its entirety. Tune in to one of the available live streaming platforms to catch every moment of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023.

24 Hours of Le Mans 2023: Qualifying results
The 2023 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has four classes, but only three are in contention for the win. The majority of the field comprises the hypercar, LMP2, and GTE Am categories. While NASCAR’s Garage 56 car will participate in the race, it won’t be eligible for the victory.

Following the Hyperpole results on Thursday, the starting grid for Saturday’s race has been set. Let’s take a closer look at how the 62 cars will line up.

Position	Car No.	Team	Class
1	50	Ferrari – AF Corse	Hypercar
2	51	Ferrari – AF Corse	Hypercar
3	8	Toyota Gazoo Racing	Hypercar
4	75	Porsche Penske Motorsport	Hypercar
5	7	Toyota Gazoo Racing	Hypercar
6	2	Cadillac Racing	Hypercar
7	5	Porsche Penske Motorsport	Hypercar
8	3	Cadillac Racing	Hypercar
9	6	Porsche Penske Motorsport	Hypercar
10	93	Peugeot TotalEnergies	Hypercar
11	94	Peugeot TotalEnergies	Hypercar
12	311	Action Racing Express	Hypercar
13	708	Glickenhaus Racing	Hypercar
14	709	Glickenhaus Racing	Hypercar
15	4	Floyd Vanwall Racing Team	Hypercar
16	48	IDEC Sport	LMP2
17	28	Jota	LMP2
18	41	Team WRT	LMP2
19	47	Cool Racing	LMP2
20	63	Prema Racing	LMP2
21	14	Nielsen Racing	LMP2
22	9	Prema Racing	LMP2
23	10</	Vector Sport	LMP2
24	45	Algarve Pro Racing	LMP2
25	22	United Autosports	LMP2
26	923	Racing Team Turkey	LMP2
27	65	Panis Racing	LMP2
28	34	Inter Europol Competition	LMP2
29	23	United Autosports	LMP2
30	31	Team WRT	LMP2
31	37	Cool Racing	LMP2
32	80	AF Corse	LMP2
33	43	DKR Engineering	LMP2
34	35	Alpine Elf Team	LMP2
35	30	Duqueine Team	LMP 2
36	32	Inter Europol Competition	LMP 2
37	24	Hendrick Motorsports	Garage 56
38	39	Graff Racing	LMP 2
39	33	Corvette Racing	LMGTE Am
40	25	ORT by TF	LMGTE Am
41	54	AF Corse	LMGTE Am
42	21	AF Corse	LMGTE Am
43	83	Richard Mille AF Corse	LMGTE Am
44	57	Kessel Racing	LMGTE Am
45	55	GMB Motorsport	LMGTE Am
46	74	Kessel Racing	LMGTE Am
47	77	Dempsey-Proton Racing	LMGTE Am
48	86	GR Racing	LMGTE Am
49	100	Walkenhorst Motorsport	LMGTE Am
50	85	Iron Dames	LMGTE Am
51	60	Iron Lynx	LMGTE Am
52	72	TF Sport	LMGTE Am
53	56	Project 1 – AO	LMGTE Am
54	911	Proton Competition	LMGTE Am
55	16	Proton Competition	LMGTE Am
56	98	NorthWest AMR	LMGTE Am
57	66	JMW Motorsport	LMGTE Am
58	88	Proton Competition	LMGTE Am
59	99	Alpine Elf Team	LMP2
60	93	Tower Motorsports	LMP2
61	80	Hertz Team Jota	Hypercar
62	71	D’Station Racing	LMGTE Am