The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most prestigious endurance race in the world, is gearing up for major changes in its 2025 edition. With a new qualifying format, Mercedes returning to GT, and Aston Martin entering Hypercar, the upcoming race promises to be explosive.
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is also planning upgrades to improve the experience for the growing number of spectators. Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store for Le Mans in 2025.
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A new qualifying system dedicated to Hypercars
The qualifying format for the 24 Hours of Le Mans will undergo a complete overhaul for 2025. Gone are the mixed sessions with all classes competing at the same time—Hypercars will now have their own dedicated slot, separate from the lower LMP2 and LMGT3 classes. This separation will prevent the fastest cars from being slowed down by traffic from lower categories, ensuring clean laps on the 8.4-mile (13.6 km) circuit. The new qualifications will be split into two stages. On Wednesday, two distinct 30-minute sessions will determine which cars advance to the Hyperpole. Then on Thursday, the Hyperpole session itself will also be divided: a first round (H1) will eliminate the slower cars, while a second round (H2) will crown the pole-sitters in each category. This format, first introduced in 2020, promises more clarity and tighter competition by allowing Hypercars to focus solely on setting their fastest laps.
Mercedes and Aston Martin: Highly anticipated returns
When it comes to new manufacturers joining the grid, the good news keeps coming. Mercedes is set to make its grand return to Le Mans for the first time since 1999. The team will partner with Iron Lynx, renowned for its success in GT racing, to field two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the World Endurance Championship. With a strong track record, this collaboration is likely to shake up the predictions. Meanwhile, Aston Martin will return to the Hypercar class with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH. The project is being entrusted to The Heart of Racing, an experienced racing outfit. This will mark their first appearance in the top category since 2011. The return of these two iconic manufacturers, both with a presence in Formula 1 and a history of success in endurance racing, is set to make 2025 an unforgettable season.
An enhanced spectator experience
The organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), have also focused on improving the experience for fans attending the event. With the growing popularity of endurance racing, the number of spectators has skyrocketed in recent years. For the 2025 edition, new viewing areas, upgraded grandstands, dedicated fan zones, and giant screens will be installed around the circuit. Reportedly, more than $100,000 has been invested in improved restroom facilities. The goal is clear: to make the 24 Hours of Le Mans a celebration of endurance racing that is accessible to everyone, whether they are newcomers or longtime enthusiasts. Scheduled for June 14–15, 2025, there’s still time to plan your weekend and experience this historic event.
This article explores how the new qualifying format, the return of Mercedes and Aston Martin, and spectator-focused upgrades are transforming the 24 Hours of Le Mans into an unmissable event. Get ready for a 2025 edition that will go down in WEC history and thrill all motorsport fans.
