24h Le Mans
Hearts and cars begin racing long before the weekend at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This year, the show begins on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 June with the free practice and qualifying sessions. The Hypercars, LMP2s and LMGT3s get to grips with the track over the two days, offering excellent spectator entertainment as they vie for position ahead of the race. Experience Le Mans as if you were in the driving seat, with a commanding view of the track. Book a grandstand seat to be sure of your place.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the practice and qualifying sessions are more than a rehearsal for the big day. They are important in themselves. Pure speed plays a big role in the run-up to the race. You’ll be speedier on foot too! Fewer spectators means you can zip around the grounds much quicker than at the weekend. It’s the ideal time to try out different vantage points and enjoy all the circuit has to offer.
Watch as the teams fine-tune their settings and feel the tension mount before the first night session, when the cloak of darkness casts a spell over the track.
The Karting bank offers an exceptional view of the Porsche Curves exit and the Karting Curve, where the cars whiz through at incredible speed, pinned to the track thanks to their downforce.
This demanding section is a great place to admire the Hypercars’ excellence and the drivers’ mastership.
Tertre Rouge is an iconic spot. The Corner exit marks the start of the Mulsanne Straight. Prototypes and GT3s exceed 180 kph coming out of this turn as drivers brush the outside kerb to shave off a tenth of a second.
Here, you are so close to the track, you can feel the thunder of the pace in your stomach as you revel in the precision of the racing line. Pure Le Mans.
At this end of the circuit, speed gives way to precision. Arnage Corner, the slowest on the circuit, is taken at 60kph.
The banked spectator areas offer superb views of the cars as drivers brake. Note the difference between the Hypercars, LMP2s and LMGT3s.
2023 24 Hours of Le Mans winner with the Ferrari-AF Corse #51 Ferrari 499P Alessandro Pier Guidi knows the circuit like the back of his hand. “Le Mans is one of the most beautiful circuits and one I’m especially fond of, both because we’ve achieved extraordinary results in France and because I love high-speed tracks,” says the Italian, who also won the LMGTE PRO class in 2019 and 2021.
Indianapolis is his absolute favourite section: “You go in at very high speed, just brush the brakes in the first kink, then prepare for the second left-hand turn, where you brake much harder.”
At Arnage you have to keep your wits too: “[It] only seems simple – in reality, it’s very tricky, especially on entry, where it’s really easy to lock the rear wheels.”
The last section is “one of the most fun sequences – several corners in a row where managing tyre grip is vital,” before preparing for the Karting esses, “where you clip the left-hand kerb slightly and let the car flow to carry speed into Raccordement, keeping it balanced so you can rejoin the start/finish straight and complete the lap.” This is a superb vantage point during practice and qualifying.
On Thursday 11 June, the pace steps up with the Hyperpole session, which determines the starting grid, not to mention the support races, fan zones and trackside entertainment. The circuit is a hive of activity!
When darkness falls, the atmosphere changes. Glaring headlights, glowing brake discs and growling engines slice through the night.
The practice and qualifying sessions are ideal to get your bearings at the circuit and find the best spot to settle in and watch the action in comfort.
Don’t miss out! Reserve your place to witness the intensity of the FIA World Endurance Championship field as the 24 Hours of Le Mans field gears up for the big day. Head to the 24 Hours of Le Mans ticket office now.
