2025 24 Hours of Le Mans - Hypercar Showdown
The 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans promises a landmark Hypercar battle as Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Toyota, and more fight for the greatest prize in endurance racing.
Introduction
The 24 Hours of Le Mans stands apart. For 2025, the world’s biggest car makers descend on the Circuit de la Sarthe from 11 to 15 June, aiming for glory in what is now the most challenging class of all: Hypercar. It is the 93rd edition, but nothing about this year feels routine. Porsche and BMW return with high hopes; Ferrari wants to keep its crown; Toyota and Cadillac want revenge. Even Aston Martin arrives at the top level. There is noise, tension, and no shortage of intrigue.
Porsche: Eyes on a 20th Win
No manufacturer has shaped Le Mans like Porsche. Nineteen outright victories mark them as the event’s most successful name. This year, Porsche Penske Motorsport fields three factory 963 Hypercars, plus a fourth from customer team Proton Competition.
- #4 Porsche 963: Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Pascal Wehrlein. Nasr and Tandy are in top form, having taken three wins from four in this season’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. All three are hungry to complete endurance racing’s Triple Crown, having already conquered Daytona and Sebring this year.
- #5 Porsche 963: Julien Andlauer, Michael Christensen, Mathieu Jaminet. This is a blend of youth and experience.
- #6 Porsche 963: Matt Campbell, Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor. This crew knows how to get the job done, Campbell and Estre are reigning world champions, and Vanthoor’s name is synonymous with Porsche’s modern Le Mans campaigns. The #6 car started from pole in 2024.
- #99 Proton Competition Porsche 963: Neel Jani, Nico Pino, Nicolás Varrone. This customer car, run by one of the most respected independent teams, adds depth to Porsche’s assault.
Porsche’s target is clear: win a 20th Le Mans and make history again.
BMW: Building on Past Glory
The BMW M Team WRT effort marks the Bavarian firm’s biggest Le Mans push since its victory in 1999. Two M Hybrid V8s carry their hopes:
- #15 BMW M Hybrid V8: Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello, Dries Vanthoor. A fascinating mix, Magnussen brings Formula 1 pedigree, Marciello is among the best in GT, and Vanthoor is a proven winner everywhere he goes.
- #20 BMW M Hybrid V8: Robin Frijns, René Rast, Sheldon van der Linde. Frijns and Rast have starred in prototypes and GT cars, while van der Linde is one of BMW’s fastest young works drivers.
BMW has been competitive in WEC all season. The question is whether this group can translate pace into a real shot at the podium, or more.
Ferrari, Toyota, and the Rest: No Easy Favourites
Ferrari AF Corse returns as the team to beat, aiming for a third straight win at La Sarthe with its two 499Ps (#50, #51). Their victory last year was no fluke: nine Hypercars finished on the lead lap, showing the class’s fierce competitiveness.
Toyota Gazoo Racing brings two GR010 Hybrids (#7, #8) and remains a constant threat, having won five Le Mans since 2018.
Aston Martin THOR Team makes its Hypercar debut with two Valkyrie entries (#007, #009). While new, the name alone brings attention.
Cadillac goes big, fielding four V-Series.Rs across Hertz Team Jota, Wayne Taylor Racing, and Whelen.
Alpine and Peugeot keep French pride alive with two cars each.
In short, the Hypercar field is enormous: eight manufacturers, with genuine depth across the board.
Mercedes-AMG: GT3 Only, but Worth a Mention
Mercedes-AMG is not part of the Hypercar class, but it returns to Le Mans after a 26-year absence via the new LMGT3 class. All three of its GT3s will race under the Iron Lynx banner, each featuring a livery inspired by the 1989 double-winning Sauber-Mercedes C9. Christoph Sagemüller, who leads Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, called it “a chance to continue our story at Le Mans”. Those interested in Mercedes should look for the separate LMGT3 preview on RSR.
Circuit, Strategy, and the Unforgiving Clock
The Circuit de la Sarthe stretches over 13km and is famed for long straights, high speed, and the relentless challenge of day-to-night racing. Drivers catch their breath, barely, on the straights. It remains the most challenging test on the FIA WEC calendar. The rulebook matters as much as bravery: Balance of Performance (BoP) but will be tightly managed, with a new, simpler system for bodywork changes. Hyperpole returns for qualifying, with 15 cars advancing to a final 15-minute shootout.
Endurance racing at Le Mans is won by pace and consistency, but also by making fewer mistakes than the rest. Strategy, efficiency, and the ability to adapt are what separate the legends from the also-rans.
Season So Far: What to Watch
- Porsche has won three of four IMSA rounds this year and leads WEC’s Hypercar title chase.
- BMW continues to show promise, chasing its first Le Mans podium since the Group 6 era.
- Ferrari is gunning for a hat-trick, with Toyota in hot pursuit after several near-misses.
- Newcomers like Aston Martin and Alpine add spice and unpredictability.
- The schedule is brutal: manufacturers face three consecutive 24-hour races: Nürburgring, Le Mans, Spa. Drivers call it “immense”, teams call it “a huge challenge”.
Quotes from the Paddock
Pierre Fillon, President, ACO:
“Once again, the 24 Hours of Le Mans presents a superb grid. For this 93rd edition, the greatest carmakers on earth will do battle for overall victory as well as LMGT3 honours. These marques, teams and our partners are united in their commitment to endurance racing, which is currently enjoying a truly golden age... All the ingredients are in place for another memorable race, particularly in Hypercar, where the level is higher than ever.”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA WEC:
“The publication of the entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is invariably a significant moment, and in many ways begins the countdown to the centrepiece of the FIA WEC campaign. To have once again attracted such a spectacular grid in every category is a testament to this legendary race’s enduring appeal.”
Key Battles and RSR Take
- Porsche’s campaign for a 20th Le Mans victory is headline news. If any brand can handle pressure, it is them.
- BMW’s best hope in decades rests on a line-up that mixes flair, aggression, and composure.
- Ferrari’s attempt to win three in a row faces stiffer opposition than ever, but their record at Le Mans, recent and historic, commands respect.
- Toyota, perennial front-runner, is hungry to return to the top.
- Cadillac, Aston Martin, Alpine, and Peugeot bring depth, not just numbers.
The 2025 Le Mans Hypercar field is the best in years. Every major name has a real shot at the podium. Some have everything to lose, others everything to gain.
