A Hyperpole from 2020 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

THEAutomobile Club de l'Ouest will make a modification in 2020 to a qualification format seen in 24 Hours of Le Mans for many years.

If three sessions were until now included in the Le Mans week program, the 88th edition (June 13-14) will only include two sessions. A premiere on Wednesday from 23:14 p.m. to midnight which will determine the six best cars in each category (LM P1, LM P2, GTE Pro, GTE Am).

These 24 crews will thus qualify for the Hyperpole, played the next day Thursday from 21 p.m. to 21:30 p.m. A very short period of time where the 24 competitors will not be allowed to enter the box. The choice of tires will be free, within the limit of the allocation for the Le Mans meeting.

The starting grid will therefore be made up by category and competitors not qualified in Hyperpole will be classified using the times achieved during the first session.

“With this new qualifying format, with this Hyperpole reserved for the 24 fastest competitors, respectively six in the 4 categories, we are giving back to the competitors and especially to the spectators, two strong and spectacular times devoted to pure speed, in search of the perfect ride, explains Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO.

Adrenaline, suspense and concentration will be at their maximum in all the teams. A great introduction before the twenty-four-hour fight on this legendary 13-kilometer route. Once again, we demonstrate that the 24 Hours are presented as a car festival that takes place over several days and not just over a weekend. »

Program for Wednesday and Thursday at the 24 2020 Hours of Le Mans:

Wednesday
15:30 p.m. – 20:00 p.m.: Free Practice
22:00 p.m. – 23:00 p.m.: Free Practice
23:15 p.m. – Midnight: Qualification

Thursday
17:00 p.m. – 19:00 p.m.: Free Practice
21:00 p.m. – 21:30 p.m.: Hyperpole
22:00 p.m. – Midnight: Free Practice.