24 Hours of Le Mans 2021 – The Program

Although a return to normal is not yet planned for this year, we hope to get closer. This morning, the ACO gave more details on the week's program.

« This 89 edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans looks incredible, underlines the president of the ACO Pierre Fillon. The 62 cars entered for the event will benefit from a program adapted to the situation, facilitating the teams' working conditions, while allowing the public to experience five intense days. I would like to thank the authorities, local residents and businesses who allow us to use the circuit this year over an extended beach. The public will thus be able to experience an exceptional, incredibly dense event. »

There will be a Test Day this year, on Sunday August 15. The previous two days will be devoted to administrative and technical checks. Organized, like last year, on the circuit and not in the city center as tradition dictates, they will be used for the Test Day and for the race.

The first free practice session is scheduled for Wednesday August 18 at 14 p.m., the Hyperpole on Thursday between 21 p.m. and 21:30 p.m. and the start will be given at 16 p.m., for a return to the traditional starting time.

Four support races are also on the program. Added to the two rounds of Road to Le Mans (flagship round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup) will be a race of Porsche Sprint Challenge France, two of theEndurance Racing Legends (cars that participated in Le Mans in the 90s and 2000s) and a Fun Cup lasting 5 hours on Friday August 20.

Finally, in order to offer this exceptional program to the public, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit will be active from Wednesday, August 18 at 8 a.m., until Sunday evening, without interruption. This decision was taken in agreement with the Prefecture, local authorities, local residents' associations and public authorities, in order to allow the holding of an event contributing to the tourist activity of the city, of the department of the region. This innovative system, which allows, among other things, access to the ZAC du Cormier on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the week of the event, is the result of discussions opened in January with all stakeholders.

« The 24 Hours of Le Mans are the economic lifeblood of the city, concludes Christophe Nail, president of the Hunaudières Business Club. As the ACO is strongly impacted by the current crisis, it was logical to do everything in our power to offer a unique format for this international event. We are pleased that these constructive discussions led to this agreement. »