Thirty-nine of the 62 cars entered in the 93rd 24 Hours submitted to inspection by the technical marshals today. The crowd got a close-up view of the Hypercars, LMP2s, LMGT3s and driver line-ups set to take the track next weekend. This first day also marked the highly anticipated return of Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG at the Le Mans classic.

The first of the Hypercars to arrive at the place de la République in the Le Mans city centre this morning was BMW M Team WRT's BMW M Hybrid V8, hot on the heels of a second place finish at the 6 Hours of Imola. Vincent Vosse, BMW M Team WRT manager: We have made consistent progress since June 2024. We understand the car better and have performed at a higher level in-race last season and this year. But, we don't know quite what to expect here because the circuit is so different from all the others. Sunday, after Test Day, we'll have a better sense of our performance level. Dries Vanthoor, #15 BMW driver: We can win this race.

Peugeot Looks to Convert Promise Into Performance

Peugeot fans were out in full force for the French constructor and its 9X8 Hypercar, this year marking its third participation. Stellantis Senior VP Jean-Marc Finot: We will fight for the best result possible. This is the largest field ever in history. This 24 Hours will be breathtaking. Loïc Duval, #94 Peugeot driver: At the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, we battled at the forefront with the Ferraris,  BMWs and Toyotas. The outcome of the race was not what we hoped for, but we performed at a level capable of placing both cars in the top 5.

Cadillac is counting on the experience of British team JOTA to take it to victory. Four V-Series.Rs are entered this year and it can be said there is power in numbers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sébastien Bourdais, #38 Cadillac driver alongside Earl Bamber and Jenson Button: We have shown we're capable of good results since the beginning of the season. The team is only getting stronger. Cadillac installed a new wiring harness in the car, so there was a period of adjustment. At the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, we performed well, finishing fifth and sixth. The car has potential, so we're all aiming for an impressive outcome.

Though the Cadillac V-Series.R is an extremely popular Hypercar thanks to the imposing sound of its V8, another is right on its heels in the category: the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a rookie at this 93rd edition, and its V12. The two Valkyries entered thrilled the crowd today. Even without the roar, the Hypercar's lines and British colours did not disappoint! Harry Tincknell, #007 driver: It is so exciting to take part in this race with this car. It has all the makings to become a legend. That's what we're hoping for. These last six months, in testing and racing, we have worked hard to improve its performance and reliability. We can easily say it has improved in every way. 

Alpine Endurance Team 

Last year, Alpine was a Hypercar rookie. Just one year later, the A424 is a contender. The French Hypercar's improvement has translated into three podiums at the last five FIA WEC rounds this season. At the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the #36 Alpine faced off against the Ferrari 499Ps before finishing third. Alpine Motorsport Director Bruno Famin: The 24 Hours of Le Mans has its specificities and challenges. We must not get carried away. We will strive to continue to progress. The only objective we have set for ourselves is to not have any regrets on Sunday, 15 June.

Mercedes Back After 26 Years

Representing the LMGT3 category, the Ford Mustang LMGT3, Ferrari 296 LMGT3, Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R, Porsche 911 GT3.R LMGT3, Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 and McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo took to the stage at the place de la République and GT fans could not get enough.

This 93rd 24 Hours marks the 30th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR's victory. While waiting to see the British manufacturer return in 2027 to fight for overall victory, the LMGT3 category is its current playground. Two McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evos are entered by United Autosports. The Anglo-American team's start to the season was marked by a second place finish at the Qatar 1812 km. Grégoire Saucy, #59 McLaren driver: This anniversary makes us just want it more. We're confident because we know the car can perform.

The LMGT3 category is host of Mercedes-AMG's return. The German carmaker's last appearance dates back to 1999! Twenty-six years later, three Mercedes-AMG LMGT3s are entered by Iron Lynx. All three cars will sport a livery in tribute to the 1989 Sauber C9 Mercedes win. Maxime Martin, driver of the #61 Mercedes: To take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is always an exceptional experience, but to be a part of Mercedes' return is even more special. Now we need to do our best and deliver a proper race. It would be pretentious, however, to say that we can win in our first participation.

LMP2 prototypes were also inspected by the stewards today. In this category, which includes 17 cars, the fight for victory is anyone's game as always.

Representing Inter Europol Competition, Tom Dilmann, #43 ORECA 07-Gibson driver: The goal is to win. We have the team and the crew to achieve it. Despite that, there are a lot of parameters to master. You have to be very serious, very focused and ready to take on all conditions. This year, we won the 12 Hours of Sebring. If we could win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, that would be great.

PJ Hyett, AO by TF #99 ORECA driver: Everyone in the team is working to put the car at the head of the field. There's a dragon on our bodywork, and that's how we'll be on the track.  Defending champion United Autosports is on notice!

Scrutineering will resume tomorrow at 08:30 with 23 cars submitting to inspection, including the Hypercars fielded by Ferrari AF Corse, Porsche Penske Motorsport and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, and the LMGT3s of Ferrari and BMW. Follow live on the official 24 Hours of Le Mans YouTube channel. In the interim, take a look at this gallery from the first day of Scrutineering.