Le Mans, France
June 10–14, 2026
A Huge Popular Success
The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans was a huge popular success, drawing more than 350,000 spectators. And they were not disappointed by the race, which kept them on the edge of their seats literally until the very last lap, with less than 11 seconds separating first and second place at the finish line after 24 hours of intense racing. But I’m not going to recount the race for you, it’s already been extensively covered and analyzed by the motorsports press. Less is said about what goes on behind the scenes, and that’s what I’ll try to shed light on in this article. Because while the 24 Hours of Le Mans race itself lasts 24 hours, the event spans about ten days, including scrutineering, entertainment, practice sessions, qualifying, and the races.
The races, because beyond the 24 Hours, which is the flagship event, several so-called “support” races liven up the circuit on a very tight schedule, with only a few minutes’ break between sessions. And to bring this event to life for the 350,000 spectators, a veritable city springs up within the circuit grounds and around them. What sets the 24 Hours circuit apart is that it runs partly on public roads or sections located in the public domain (unlike the permanent “Bugatti” circuit), which involves complex logistics since many spectators enter and exit the race area several times a day. Furthermore, at over 13 km, the course is exceptionally long, which means the need to increase the number of checkpoints (race officials, medical staff, etc.) tenfold.
For the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the race organizer) alone, no fewer than 250 employees and more than 2,000 volunteers are mobilized (including 1,963 track marshals!). And since this crowd needs to be fed and hydrated, transported, and provided with maintenance and cleaning services, as well as a selection of souvenirs, a wide variety of entertainment, and information… that means several thousand more people are hard at work. On the Wednesday and Thursday before the race, the circuit is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day, and open non-stop from 8 a.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Sunday!
I briefly mentioned earlier the so-called “support” races, held during the week, which this year included the Ferrari Challenge contested in Ferrari 296 Challenge cars (highly advanced 286 GTBs in terms of aerodynamics and mechanics, notably without the hybrid system found in the production model), the Brazilian edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup (Porsche 911 GT3 Cup), and the “Road To Le Mans” series, which pits LMP3 prototypes (less powerful and less complex than LMP2 cars) and GT3 cars. This series allows teams and drivers to get their foot in the door of the world of endurance racing, with the eventual goal of “moving up” to the World Championship.
With free practice, qualifying, and races, it offers a packed track schedule and the opportunity for participants to drive on the “big” Le Mans circuit, which is open only twice a year for the 24 Hours and Le Mans Classic.
The Paddocks
Several weeks before the race, the teams begin setting up the enormous temporary structures designed to accommodate their staff and guests during race week. Some are based on giant motorhomes that travel from circuit to circuit, telescoping both in height and width, while others are built from prefabricated modules. Other structures, attached to the main pit building, are used to store spare parts (bodywork, mechanical components, etc.) and serve as work areas for engineers and mechanics.
For participants in “support” races, the paddock is simpler: a large tent where mechanics can work on the cars, and a workshop truck for the better-off teams. While the paddocks for the 24-hour race teams are not open to the public, the area reserved for teams in other races is open, allowing visitors to see the inner workings of the cars and watch the mechanics at work. In any case, it’s a real hive of activity, with nonstop hustle and bustle.
The Manufacturers
For the cars manufacturers participating in Le Mans, the event offers an opportunity not only to invite their customers but also to showcase their flagship models, often alongside their race cars. I won’t mention here the all-electric sedans and SUVs that were popping up at certain booths. The manufacturers were located in two main areas: the “Manufacturers’ Village” at the heart of the circuit, and an area near the go-kart track where the hospitality tents were set up.
At its stand in the Manufacturers’ Village, Porsche displayed two extremes: a 356 SL and a 2026 911 GT3 RS. The 356 SL was the first Porsche designed for racing. Its aluminum body reduced the car’s weight by 120 kg (hence the suffix “Sport Leicht”, Lightweight Sport). The 356 SL competed at Le Mans in 1951, and the model on display won the Liège-Rome-Liège marathon rally in 1952. At the other extreme, the 911 GT3 RS is the sportiest road-going version in the current lineup. But since Porsche has a permanent facility in Le Mans (one of its 10 Porsche Experience Centers worldwide), that’s where the brand is celebrating 75 years of motorsports with several iconic models. It’s there that another 356 SL is on display, the one that actually raced in the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans and won its class. Also on display (among others) are a 935 Turbo, recognizable by its flattened front hood; a 961 derived from the 959 supercar; and finally a 919 Hybrid, the last Porsche to win at Le Mans with three titles in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Toyota chose to highlight its long history at Le Mans with the GT-One (or TS020), which raced in the late 1990s, as well as two engines: the one from the GT-One and the one from the TS050 Hybrid, which won in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Alongside its M Hybrid V8, which shone on the track, BMW showcased several models from the M lineup, including a spectacular M2 upgraded with an M Performance kit. Staying with the hypercars, Total Energies showcased the two French models, the Alpine 424 and the Peugeot 9X8, while Michelin displayed the Ferrari 499P, the reigning Le Mans champion after three consecutive victories between 2023 and 2025.
Alpine’s current A110, be sure to enjoy it before the switch to electric, and Ford’s GT 40. Ford also displayed a Ford GT MkIV modified by Ford Racing and a Mustang GT3 in front of its “hospitality” area. McLaren had two exhibits as well: one in the village featuring an M6A, the first McLaren race car to win the Can-Am championships in the 1960s, and a 750S, a 750-horsepower supercar.
In front of the large Aston Martin display area stood the DBX SUV, but most notably a DB12S and a Valkyrie LM, a very limited-edition model directly derived from the Valkyrie Hypercar, all in the same shade of green as the hypercar on the track. Ferrari had set up a sort of massive, fortified camp set apart from the other areas, and in the distance, you could catch a glimpse of the Luce. Not exactly in the spotlight!
The Hydrogen Village
For several years now, the ACO has been working to decarbonize racing, in keeping with the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: to innovate, explore new technical directions, and put them to the test in competition to help bring them to market. Since battery-powered cars do not appear to be a viable solution for an endurance race, the ACO has turned to hydrogen. Each year, visitors can see the progress made, both in a display area and on the track through several demonstrations.
The goal announced by the ACO at its official press conference is to have hydrogen-powered cars competing in the Hypercar class as early as 2030. One of the advantages of hydrogen is that it can power conventional internal combustion engines (after modification, of course), thereby preserving one of the essential elements of auto racing (the noise!). The public got a first look at two concepts that we could easily see on the starting grid: the Alpine Alpenglow HY6 and the Mission H24 (which, incidentally, has already competed in races).
Toyota, which is deeply involved in this technology, had a comprehensive exhibit showcasing various solutions, including a truck and a bus. And to take mobility even further, the Toulouse-based startup Blue Spirit Aero was exhibiting its prototype training aircraft powered by electric motors and hydrogen fuel.
Fan zones
The organizers had set up several fan zones throughout the circuit, offering food and beverage stands, tables, giant screens to watch the race, games, and partner booths. Of particular note was the “Family” zone, where the gendarmerie, the army, and the fire department showcased their activities with several vehicles: an armored personnel carrier, a Peugeot 404, and a fire truck, as well as an Alpine A310 from the National Gendarmerie (surrounded by different generations of speed cameras).
It was also in this zone that the public could check out the four French finalists in the Hot Wheels Legends competition, four spectacular vehicles, and vote for the one that would qualify for the grand finale.
Animations
In addition to track testing and races, there’s no shortage of activities, and it’s hard to get bored when you spend several days at the circuit. There’s, of course, the M24 Museum, which has just reopened and has attracted many visitors, especially since admission was included in the weekday and weekend tickets. One of the activities most appreciated by the public is the opening of the entire track on Friday afternoon. While walking the 13 km might take a while, some people run it, a good workout, especially since there are a few ups and downs, but many prefer bike or rollerblade.
It’s also an opportunity to walk through the pit lane, where most of the pits are open, and to see (or try to see) the mechanics at work on the cars in the various categories. You’ll notice that even though Friday is supposed to be a rest day for the teams, the work continues: the cars are disassembled, cleaned, and inspected to ensure they’re in top condition for the long race ahead.
The Virage de Mulsanne association is taking advantage of the open track to organize its gathering of classic and luxury cars. At the turn, upstream on the Hunaudières and downstream on the Mulsanne-Arnage section, several hundred cars are on display, brought by their owners: Porsches, Ferraris, Corvettes, Alpines, Lotuses… as well as rarer British models like TVRs and Reliant Scimitars, and more exotic cars such as Excaliburs.
Every evening, starting at 8 p.m., music takes center stage in the concert area with an eclectic lineup. And on Saturday at midnight, it’s time for the traditional fireworks display, which for the past few years has been paired with an impressive drone show. Several hundred drones light up and move to form figures related to Le Mans: cars, trophies, drivers…
The Village, Restaurants, and Shops
One thing is certain: in Le Mans, you won’t go hungry or thirsty. There are (plenty of) restaurants and bars scattered throughout the circuit area. There’s something for every taste and preference… Brasseries, burgers, crepes, pizzas, oysters, hot dogs, ice cream… and for every thirst, beer flows! But you might also prefer cocktails and champagne at the champagne bar, sand beach, comfortably settled into armchairs and lounge chairs. In some spots, the live band and DJ struggle to be heard over the roar of the cars on the track.
You don’t come to the 24 Hours of Le Mans without leaving with a souvenir (or two), and there are plenty of shops to choose from. The ACO sets up several retail outlets, including a very large shop in the heart of the village that’s always bustling with people. Several brands offer merchandise, and if you can’t afford the latest Ferrari, T-shirts, polo shirts, and caps are a good alternative. To broaden the selection, a few official artists of the 24 Hours of Le Mans offer race-themed artwork, alongside artisans and watch brands.
And if you find the noise too loud, several booths sell headphones and earplugs, while others sell rechargeable batteries and offer smartphone charging services. Among the many services available is a free shuttle service that takes you to every point along the circuit—very useful given the circuit’s length. Especially since many roads are closed to traffic, forcing you to take long detours to get from one point to another.
With giant screens scattered throughout the circuit, spectators don’t miss a thing, accompanied throughout the race by the official announcer. Meanwhile, the press center, one of the largest for a racetrack, provides all the services needed so that the many journalists, photographers, and media representatives can keep their readers informed in real time throughout the week. As a global event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans welcomes more than 1,100 media outlets from around the world to cover the race and its surrounding events up close.
The photos on this page belong to Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the owner.