24 Hours of Le Mans - Betting Odds, Event Details, History and Records

Date: 2024.06.15 - 2024.06.16
Contest: RACING
Location: Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.


Automobile racing has been greatly dominated by fast-paced vehicles clocking thrilling figures on the speedometer. That's how the whole concept of formula racing evolved and thrived. However, a very different format of automobile racing has been endurance racing. Endurance racing primarily tests the cars' durability while also giving the drivers a tough time. Thus, testing the endurance of both the drivers and the cars.


24 Hours of Le Mans:

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the biggest endurance racing event held on an annual basis. The competition has received a great response over the years and is among the year's most prestigious, glorious, and anticipated motor-racing events. The race does not involve any fixed distance or number of laps, like the iconic Grand Prix events. Instead, it is a time-bound race that runs for 24 hours. At the end of those 24 hours, the car covering the longest distance is declared the winner of the competition.

Thus, the race is a test of a car's reliability and speed. The manufacturers and constructors have to keep this in mind while making the vehicles as they try to create a fine balance between the two qualities.


History:

The 24 Hours of Le Mans was initially started to emphasize the importance of reliability in cars, as the Grand Prix racing was dominant back then. The Inaugural edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was held in 1923. Following initial events, the race started attracting greater interest from all segments as people liked how cars continued racing for 24 hours.

In 1953, the race was included in the World Sportscar Championship. Moreover, it was also a part of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in 2011.

The inaugural edition of the FIA World Endurance Championship was held in 2012, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been a part of the championship since then.


Triple Crown of Motorsport:

Hailed as the greatest endurance racing event, the 24 hours of Le Mans is an important part of the triple crown of Motorsport. The other two events in the triple crown are the iconic Indianapolis 500 and the majestic Monaco Grand Prix.


Venue:

Circuit de la Sarthe serves as the venue for the race. The circuit is located in the locality of Le Mans, France.


Scheduling and Time:

The race is held in the first half of June and starts around the afternoon (1500 hours local time) and goes on for the next 24 hours.


2023 Winner:

The winning car was the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P.

The winning drivers are Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado. This is the first time Ferrari's won the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1965.


Drivers:

Among drivers, Tom Kristensen remains the most successful driver in the competition. He holds the record for winning the 24 hours of Le Mans most times. He won the competition 9 times, with victories in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2013. The Belgian racing car driver Jacky Ickx has been the second most successful driver with 6 wins. Derek Bell, Frank Biella, and Emanuele Pirro have won the event 5 times.


Manufacturer:

Among manufacturers, Porsche leads the charts with 19 wins at Le Mans. The fellow German auto manufacturer Audi is second on the list with 13 wins. Ferrari has won the event 10 times, while Jaguar has won 7 races at Le Mans.


The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024:

The 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on the 15th and 16th of June 2024.

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