24 Hours of Le Mans 2025: A guide to the world’s greatest endurance race

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is much more than just a race, it’s a test of everything that defines endurance racing: speed, stamina, strategy and survival.

First held in 1923, it’s the world’s oldest active endurance race, and arguably the most prestigious, as well as being the biggest event on the Iron Dames calendar.

Whether you’re watching for the first time or want to understand what makes Le Mans so iconic, here’s your guide to everything that goes into racing around the clock.

What is the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a once-a-year race that takes place in western France, on the Circuit de la Sarthe, a unique 13.6km (8.5-mile) venue that blends permanent racetrack with closed public roads.

Every June, traffic stops and the streets around Le Mans are transformed into one of the most famous race tracks in the world. Roads open up for regular traffic overnight throughout the event (just not on race day).

The challenge is straightforward, but by no means is it easy: race for 24 hours straight, with no breaks, and see who can cover the most distance.

Behind that simple idea is a complex event involving thousands of people, over 60 cars and a century of tradition.

What happens during Le Mans race week?

Le Mans is more than just a race weekend, it’s a week-long celebration of endurance racing.

• Test Day: Held the Sunday before race week, Test Day gives teams their first chance to run on the full Circuit de la Sarthe and gather vital data.

• Scrutineering and Parade: Before that, on the Friday and Saturday, all competing cars and drivers go through technical checks (scrutineering) in Le Mans town centre. On Saturday, the drivers take part in a city-centre parade which provides a great chance for fans to get close to the stars and machines of the race.

• Qualifying and Free Practice: Race week track action begins with sessions spread across Wednesday and Thursday. There are three Free Practice sessions – including one at night, which all drivers must complete in order to be eligible for the race – and multi-part qualifying that sets the grid.

• Road to Le Mans: Support races include the popular Road to Le Mans, featuring GT3 and LMP3 machinery. Stars like Valentino Rossi have raced in it, and for 2025, both Marta Garcia and Vanina Ickx are taking part.

Who’s racing at Le Mans 2025? Teams, classes & Iron Dames

For the 2025 edition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans features three classes of car on the same track at the same time:

• Hypercar: The fastest and most advanced prototypes.

• LMP2: A secondary prototype class, reappearing at Le Mans only.

• LMGT3: Based on road-going supercars, including the Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R.

This year, five women are competing in the main race: Iron Dames’ Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey and Celia Martin, plus Jamie Chadwick and Lilou Wadoux.

The Iron Dames remain the only full-season all-female crew in the World Endurance Championship.

Le Mans rules and intricacies explained

Endurance racing has its own unique rhythm and regulations:

• Stints and drive time: No driver can be behind the wheel for more than 4 hours in any 6-hour period, or more than 14 hours total. Bronze-rated drivers must drive for a minimum of 6 hours across the race.

• Night racing: Running at night is one of Le Mans’ defining features. Drivers need to prove their capability during night practice earlier in the week before they’re allowed to race after dark.

• Variable weather: Le Mans is known for unpredictable conditions. Rain, fog and dramatic temperature swings are common. In 2024, several hours of the race were run behind the safety car due to heavy rain.

Le Mans and the Triple Crown of motorsport

Le Mans is one of motorsport’s most coveted prizes, forming part of the unofficial Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Monaco Grand Prix (or the F1 Drivers’ Championship, depending on who you ask) and the Indianapolis 500. Only one driver – Graham Hill – has ever won all three.

In the world of endurance racing, there’s also the Triple Crown of Endurance: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Go further, and there’s what some call the Big Six, adding the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 Hours, and Petit Le Mans.

Only one driver – Nick Tandy – has won them all, earning him the unofficial nickname “The Tandy Slam.”
The Iron Dames have raced in every one of the Big Six except the Nürburgring 24.

Why the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race like no other

From sports legends like Sir Chris Hoy and Fabien Barthez to Hollywood names like Michael Fassbender and Patrick Dempsey, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has attracted competitors from all walks of life.

But for those who race it every year, including the Iron Dames, it’s more than a race. It’s a challenge like no other, a symbol of endurance and excellence.