Hyperpole changes, Aston Martin return with Valkyrie, Roger Federer...

Hyperpole changes, Aston Martin return with Valkyrie, Roger Federer to be race starter: What's new at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025?

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Δημοσιευμένα 2025-06-11 21:13:25

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The 24 Hours of Le Mans is coming up on June 14, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. This year's race will see a new Hyperpole format, a new team on the grid, a famous new face in the race, and a sporting legend starting things off. Three-time Formula W champion Jamie Chadwick is also taking part for the first time at Le Mans in the LMGT2 category with IDEC Sport.

The #007 Aston Martin Valkyrie

The 93rd edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans will feature a Hyperpole format and a new team on the grid.

A sporting great will also have the "huge honour" of being the official race starter.

The endurance race starts at 3pm UK time on Saturday, June 14, with all the action live in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Cadillac top 24 Hours of Le Mans qualifying ahead of Ferrari and BMW

What’s new this year at Le Mans and what is there to look out for at the race?

New Hyperpole format

This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans will see changes to Hyperpole, which determines the positions for the three classes in the race.

At Le Mans, there are three different classes of cars - Hypercar, LMP2 and LMGT3 - with the Hypercars the fastest in endurance racing.

In previous years, the three classes all competed in a packed qualifying session on Wednesday.

But now qualifying will be split into two sessions, with the LMP2 and LMGT3 competitors on the track together in a 30-minute qualifying session before the hypercars go separately.

The 12 fastest in each class in the LMP2 and LMGT3 session will compete in Hyperpole, while the 15 fastest will progress from the hypercar qualifying.

There will be two Hyperpole sessions on Thursday: H1 and H2.

In H1, the slowest four cars from both LMP2 and LMGT3 will be eliminated, while five will be knocked out from the hypercar session. That will see eight from LMP2 and LMGT3 competing in H2 to get the best spot on the grid, and 10 from the hypercar class.

"Splitting Hyperpole into two consecutive sessions is designed to create a thrilling experience for the fans and test the teams' nerve and rapidity," said 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"With cars eliminated at every step, the slightest error can be costly. The shorter sessions (20 and 15 minutes) guarantee maximum intensity and force the drivers to adapt quickly to track conditions. Adaptability is a key skill for any endurance driver."

Aston Martin Valkyrie on the grid

Aston Martin are back at Le Mans with the Valkyrie Hypercar.

But can it secure a first Le Mans win for Aston Martin since 1959?

"Valkyrie’s debut in the 24 Hour of Le Mans is a key milestone both in the development of the car and the sporting history of the brand," said Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark.

"Le Mans is the pinnacle of endurance motorsport and, perhaps, the most famous standalone race on Earth.

"It is only right that the Hypercar class of the field contains an Aston Martin, and one that galvanises the legions of fans who come to watch this wonderful race, as well as the millions more who follow it from around the world."

The two Aston Martin Valkyrie cars will be driven by Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble and Ross Gunn, and Marco Sorensen, Alex Riberas and Roman De Angelis.

Federer to start Le Mans

The official race starter at 24 Hour of Le Mans will be tennis great Roger Federer.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion will lower the flag to get the endurance race under way on Saturday.

"It’s a huge honour to have been invited to start the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an iconic but extremely gruelling race," said Federer.

"I’ve always been fascinated by the commitment, precision and resilience it demands. Being at the heart of this emblematic event will be a remarkable experience."

Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, added: "It will be a tremendous privilege to welcome Roger Federer as the official starter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His influence extends far beyond tennis.

"He is a living legend, admired as much for his achievements as for his human qualities. His involvement will further boost the appeal of this year’s race, which is already gearing up to be outstanding."

Chadwick's Le Mans debut

Three-time Formula W champion Jamie Chadwick is taking part for the first time at Le Mans in the LMGT2 category with IDEC Sport.

Chadwick recently became the first woman to win a European Le Mans Series race outright, after which she was called the "real deal" on social media by former F1 world champion Damon Hill.

Jamie Chadwick-

On her Le Mans debut, Chadwick told GQ: "It’s just such a test of machine and body - not just the driver, everyone in the team. From the moment the car starts racing, it doesn't stop for 24 hours. That bit blows my mind."

Chadwick is one of five women who will be racing at Le Mans, with the Iron Dames fielding an all-female crew of Celia Martin, Rahel Frey and Sarah Bovy in the LMGT3 category.

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