The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans kicked off today, June 14, 2025, with a special guest of honor: none other than tennis legend Roger Federer. The 20-time Grand Slam champion waved the French flag to signal the start of the world-famous endurance race, marking a blend of sporting excellence and emotional resonance at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Sixty-two cars roared to life as Federer waved the tricolor, commencing a grueling 24-hour battle across three categories: Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGT3. This year's race features a star-studded lineup, including former Formula 1 drivers like Jenson Button, Robert Kubica, Kevin Magnussen, Mick Schumacher, and Romain Grosjean, adding even more global attention to the prestigious event.
Before the main event, fans were treated to a day of high-octane excitement, including the Ford Mustang Challenge and the Road to Le Mans series. Around midday, teams participated in a brief but crucial warm-up session, their final chance to dial in setups and adapt to the weather conditions. The pre-race ceremony ramped up the spectacle with a helicopter delivering the French flag and a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise, building anticipation to a fever pitch before Federer officially started the race at 4 p.m. local time.
The Hypercar class sees the return of Aston Martin to the top tier for the first time since 2011, fielding two modified Valkyries. Cadillac locked out the front row in qualifying, with the Jota-run Cadillacs leading the field at the start, aiming to be the first American manufacturer to win outright since Ford in 1969. Last year's winner, Ferrari, faced challenges in qualifying, starting further down the grid. Porsche, with its Penske Motorsport-run 963s, is also a strong contender, seeking its 20th Le Mans victory. Toyota, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first Le Mans visit, hopes to secure its sixth victory despite starting from the middle of the pack.
In LMP2, all 17 entries utilize the ORECA 07 chassis, promising fierce competition. The LMGT3 class makes its Le Mans debut this year with 24 entries from iconic brands like Ferrari, BMW, Corvette, Mercedes-AMG, Ford, and McLaren.
The race is being broadcast live on various platforms worldwide, including Discovery+, Eurosport, TNT Sports, and FIA WEC TV, allowing fans across the globe to witness every moment of the action. In France, L'Équipe is providing free-to-view live coverage of the race.
