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The record-breaking, history-making 100-year celebration in 2023 will be hard to top. but 2024 promises to be just as spectacular. Alongside the four new teams at Le Mans, a total of 23 hypercars will take to the track for the world’s greatest endurance challenge.
Last year’s winners Ferrari returned to the pinnacle of endurance racing after a 50-year absence. The Prancing Horse wrestled the title from recent perennial winners Toyota, whilst also fending off previous victors Porsche.
Ferrari, Porsche and Cadillac have all bolstered their entries in 2024, and not since 2008 has the top tier been anywhere near as well populated. But what does that mean for newbies BMW, Lamborghini, Isotta Franchini and local favourites Alpine?
Check out the full team and driver line-up here.
All will arrive at the Circuit de la Sarthe in June looking to follow in Ferrari’s footsteps; but realistically, what are their chances? We take a look at the new teams coming in, and what they have to offer. Could they really topple Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche at the first time of asking?
BMW
BMW has come to Le Mans before and won, taking victory in 1999 with its V12 LMR. The German constructor is back 25 years later with its Hybrid V8, and they mean business. The car has spent a year honing its capabilities in the 2023 IMSA series, and the team are laser focused on the pinnacle of endurance racing. Titling it a milestone for its M Powered project, the Hybrid V8 represents BMW’s shift towards electrification, demonstrating a long-term commitment to hybrid technology. It also underscores the brand’s ambition to leverage its racing program to showcase the potential of its growing electrified performance vehicle range on a global stage.
BMW has put its faith in Dries Vanthoor, Raffaele Marciello and Rene Rast who have tasted endurance victory at Bathurst 12hr, 24hr Hours of Nurburgring and 24hr Spa. Alongside them, Robin Frijns who piloted Team WRT to LMP2 victory at the 2021 Le Mans 24hr, DTM champion Sheldon van der Linde and GT racer Marco Wittmann have also been given the nod for 2024.
LAMBORGHINI
The Iron Lynx squad, in partnership with Ligier, will pilot Lamborghini’s first ever foray into the highest tier of sports car racing. The extended family of the Volkswagen Audi Group certainly has pedigree in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With 19 victories from a possible 24 since the turn of the millennium alone, Audi have reached the top step 13 times, Porsche three times and Bentley once, dominating the sport from 2000 to 2017.
Lamborghini’s LMDh has a lot to live up to. Described as a sophisticated laboratory to test future technologies, this push aligns with the brand’s strategy to offer hybrid options across its entire range.
Lamborghini brings two cars to the race and has chosen former F1 driver, current IndyCar racer and fan favourite Roman Grosjean to represent them at Le Mans in 2024. Alongside the Frenchman will be F1 racer Daniil Kvyat, as well as the breadth of GT and DTM racing talent offered by Andrea Caldarelli, Matteo Cairoli, Mirko Bortolotti and Edoardo Mortara.
ALPINE
Following in the footsteps of fellow French manufacturer Peugeot in 2023, Alpine will enter the ring in 2024 with an impressive driver line up. Their challenger was officially unveiled at last year’s event. The news was received with much fan fair and media attention, but with its Formula 1 team floundering, there are mixed opinions on whether it really provides a credible top spot contender come Sunday 16 June. A second French manufacture rocking up to do battle certainly broadens local interest and expands the diversity and technological prowess within the hyperclass. It also highlights the strength and draw of this iconic event in its 101st year.
Alpine brings two cars to the race. Their driver line up consists of Euro Le Mans Series LMP2 winner Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg (2021 Le Mans winner), Nicolas Lapierre (four-time LMP2 class winner at Le Mans) as well as, LMP2 racers Charles Milesi and Matthieu Vaxiviere and
ISOTTA FRANCHINI
The historic Italian brand renowned for its luxury vehicles, gained nontertiary for its innovative engineering, decadent design and powerful performance. Isotta Franchini have taken the momentous decision to take on the Hypercar class in 2024. Their debut entry is all about displaying its technical prowess and reviving a historical reputation of innovation and racing excellence.
A single car entry maybe highlights the extended challenge for this outfit, piloted by single seater and LMP3 racer Antonio Serravalle, World Touring Car racer Jean-Karl Vernay, and racing junior Carl Wattana Bennett.
As big-name car brands continue to enter the ring, and the Le Mans 24h grows in international acclaim and attendance numbers, 2024 promises to be a race to remember. Which of the four new teams at Le Mans do you think has the best chance of dethroning the Prancing Horse?