The 2024 season of the FIA World Endurance Championship arrives at the most awaited event: the legendary 24h of Le Mans.
The Circuit de la Sarthe is in fact hosting what is the fourth event of a year full of emotions and twists at every outing on the track, with the protagonists of the World Championship who will be joined by guests of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
In the Hypercar Class this time there will be 23 cars on the track, with the 19 of the world series which will be joined by the 4 colleagues involved in IMSA, namely Lamborghini, Porsche and the pair of Cadillacs.
There is no denying that the spotlight is on the Ferraris, given that the 499P #51 is the reigning winner, but the BoP changes could also put the Toyotas and Peugeots back into play, making their debut in the 2024 version on a track that theoretically should be theirs congenial.
For the LMDh, Porsche will clearly have to confirm the good things seen in these first races of the season, but results are also expected from other brands such as BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Alpine, while Isotta Fraschini wants to express herself at her best by trying to take further steps forward and see the checkered flag.
LMP2 will return to play at Le Mans, represented by 15 Orecas fielded by important teams such as AF Corse, United Autosports, Cool Racing, Nielsen Racing, Panis Racing, DKR Engineering, Proton Competition, Duqueine, Algarve Pro Racing, Vector Sport, AO by TF, Idec Sport and above all Inter Europol Competition, winner in 2023.
Also in the LMGT3 Class the grid expands to 23 cars thanks to the inclusion of the Ferraris from JMW Motorsport, GR Racing and Spirit of Race, a third Ford Mustang entered by Proton Competition, plus the McLaren from Inception Racing.
Great curiosity for Valentino Rossi, who has long dreamed of racing at Le Mans and will now have a great opportunity to have his say with the certainly competitive BMW M4 #46 of Team WRT.
The Porsches are also favorites after the good performances shown in this first part of the season, but the large group of participants cannot allow the exclusion of any brand, such as Lamborghini and its Iron Dames.
#51 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi
Photo by: Marc Fleury
THE PROGRAM
In France the week is long because we start filming on Wednesday afternoon, continuing until late and repeating everything on Thursday too. Friday is a break day as far as track activities are concerned, in order to recharge the batteries in view of the big days on Saturday and Sunday.
Let’s see in detail all the official times published by the WEC for the fourth event of the 2024 season.
WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE
Free Practice 1: 2.00pm-5.00pm
Qualifying: 7pm-8pm
Free Practice 2: 10pm-12am
THURSDAY 13 JUNE
Free Practice 3: 3pm-6pm
Hyperpole: 8pm-9pm
Free Practice 4: 10pm-11pm
FRIDAY 14 JUNE
Day off for the WEC
SATURDAY 15 JUNE
Warm-Up: 12.00-12.15
Race: 4pm
#11 Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Tipo6-C of Carl Wattana Bennett, Jean-Karl Vernay, Antonio Serravalle, #77 Proton Competition Ford Mustang LMGT3 of Ryan Hardwick, Zacharie Robichon, Benjamin Barker
Photo credit: Rainier Ehrhardt
FIA WEC 2024: how can I watch the 24h of Le Mans
This year the entire World Endurance Championship is visible on Eurosport – Sky channel 211 – and the relevant application or website, plus Discovery+ and on the fiawec.tv website (also available via application) where Live Timing is available, which can be consulted also on the official website of the timekeeper AlKamel.
Unlike the usual FIA WEC sessions, this time live TV will cover the event in its entirety via Discovery and Eurosport, in addition obviously to the FIAWEC.tv, Discovery+ and Eurosport apps, and the official timing. Here is a summary of where and how we can follow the activities on the track.
WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE
Free Practice 1: 2.00pm-5.00pm (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 2, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
Qualifying: 7.00pm-8.00pm (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 1, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
Free Practice 2: 10pm-12am (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 1, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
THURSDAY 13 JUNE
Free Practice 3: 3.00pm-6.00pm (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 2, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
Hyperpole: 8.00pm-9.00pm (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 1, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
Free Practice 4: 10pm-11pm (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 1, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
SATURDAY 15 JUNE
Warm-Up: 12.00-12.15 (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 1, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app, and fiawec.tv)
Race: 4.00pm (Livetiming, live on Eurosport 1-2 alternating, Eurosport app, Discovery+ app and fiawec.tv)
#WEC #program #times #24h #Mans
