The start of the "race of the century" is scheduled for 16 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023. This edition of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is notably marked by the return of many manufacturers in the premier Hypercar category, such as Cadillac and Porsche in particular. Where can I find tickets on sale? How to watch the race on TV? Who are the committed... Find out everything you need to know before the start of the 90th edition of the legendary motor race.
What is the program for the week?
Before the big departure, several events will mark the event. We will start to enter the competition proper from Wednesday 7 June with the start of free practice and qualifying. The practice session that will determine the starting grid will be held on the same day, from 19 p.m. to 20 p.m., before the hyperpole on Thursday from 20 p.m. to 20:30 p.m. Introduced in 2020 to enhance and give meaning to the speed search exercise, the top six in each category, at the end of qualifying practice, will qualify. This session will determine the first six places in each category on the starting grid.
In the festivities section, the great parade of drivers will start in the streets of Le Mans, from 14 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Other festive events: concerts organized as part of the centenary of the event will welcome Zazie on Wednesday evening, Razorlight for the concert on Thursday and Bob Sinclar on Friday.
Who are the participants?
62 cars, 186 drivers, 12 former winners and 5 female drivers are entered for the centenary edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans, according to the official list.
In the premier category, Hypercar, sixteen prototypes will compete, a record since 2011. On the starting grid, there will be two Cadillac Racing, a Floyd Vanwall Racing Team, three Porsche Penske Motorsport, two Toyota Gazoo Racing, a Hertz Team Jota (Porsche), two Ferrari AF Corse, two Peugeot TotalEnergies, an Action Express Racing (Cadillac) and two Glickenhaus Racing.
62 cars will capture the world's attention in June. Check them out now 👉 https://t.co/qLUvZQNNRn
🔴 💥16 Hypercar
🔵 24 LMP2
🟠 21 GTE Am
⚫️ 1 Innovative Car#LeMans24 #LeMansCentenary #WEC @FIAWEC #Hypercar pic.twitter.com/j8y2gIo9Nu
— 24 Hours of Le Mans (@24hoursoflemans) February 27, 2023
In the other categories, 24 LMP2, 21 LMGTE Am and an "Innovative car" will start the race on Saturday.
How to watch the race on TV?
The race will be broadcast in its entirety on Eurosport 1 and 2 but also on the L'Équipe channel on free DTT. On June 10 and 11, the weekend of the race, the editorial staff and the set of the L'Équipe channel are relocated to Le Mans, as close as possible to the event. Messaoud Benterki will be the conductor of the TV system, with more than 30 people, from a studio with breathtaking views of the famous Bugatti circuit.
From 7:40 am, go to follow the support races but also to return to the great moments of the 24 hours of Le Mans on the occasion of its centenary, while monitoring the warm-up. At 13:30 pm, it's time for the final preparations, the grid lift, the arrival of the flag and the anthems...
At 16 p.m., the race will start live for a finish scheduled for Sunday, June 11 at 16 p.m. The channel will then keep the air for more than 3 hours to live the joy of the winners, the emotion in the pits and to hear the heroes tell their race. Marc Minari and Adrien Paviot will follow one another, accompanied by four consultants Paul Petit, Thibaut Villemant, Thomas Laurent and Pierre Ragues.
How do I buy tickets?
Since last December, all the weekly and weekend tickets of the race have been sold. The race will therefore be sold out. There are a few places left for events outside the race a week before the event.
