Samwise Sportscar & Endurance Newsletter
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Le Mans Race Week Opens as 39 Cars Clear First Day of Scrutineering
Race week for the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans officially began Friday 5 June as 39 of the 62 entered cars passed through administrative and technical inspection at the Place de la République in downtown Le Mans. Spectators watched for free as Hypercar newcomers Genesis Magma Racing made their first public appearance alongside BMW M Team WRT, Cadillac, Alpine and Peugeot. The remaining 23 cars, including the Ferrari AF-Corse and Toyota Racing Hypercars, are scheduled for Saturday morning. One notable absence: Ben Keating, set for his racing comeback after a broken elbow, missed his appointment following two cancelled flights en route to Le Mans.
Sources: 24 Hours of Le Mans
Hypercar Preview: Eight Manufacturers and 18 Cars Enter Battle for 94th Le Mans
The Hypercar field for the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13–14 June numbers 18 cars from eight manufacturers: Aston Martin, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot and Toyota. Three fewer than the 21 entries in 2025, following Porsche’s factory withdrawal and Action Express Racing’s departure. BMW M Team WRT arrives as FIA WEC Hypercar Manufacturers’ championship leader after winning the 6 Hours of Spa, while Ferrari — winner of the last three consecutive Le Mans — returns with a largely unchanged 499P. Toyota’s revised TR010 HYBRID targets a sixth victory; Heart of Racing fields the only non-hybrid cars: two Aston Martin Valkyries.
Sources: 24 Hours of Le Mans
Genesis Magma Racing Prepares for Korea’s Historic First Le Mans Attempt
Genesis Magma Racing has arrived in Le Mans ahead of the Korean manufacturer’s debut at the 94th 24 Hours, fielding two GMR-001 LMDh Hypercars. The Hyundai Group luxury brand entered the full FIA World Endurance Championship this season before targeting Le Mans as its headline event. The No. 17 is driven by Pipo Derani, Mathys Jaubert and André Lotterer; the No. 19 by Paul-Loup Chatin, Daniel Juncadella and Mathieu Jaminet. Official reserve Jamie Chadwick has been added to both car entries for Sunday’s test day, the sole opportunity for track time on the Circuit de la Sarthe before race week.
Sources: Genesis Newsroom
Peugeot Marks 100 Years at Le Mans with Centenary Badge on 9X8 Hypercars
Peugeot TotalEnergies appeared at Friday scrutineering carrying a special centenary badge on both 9X8 Hypercars, marking 100 years since the French manufacturer first competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two Peugeot 174S entered the 1926 race — then called the Grand Prix of Endurance of 24 Hours — launching a history spanning 44 Le Mans starts and three victories: 1992, a 1-2-3 finish in 1993, and 2009. Peugeot aims to convert recent development progress into race results at the 94th edition. The No. 93 is for Paul di Resta, Stoffel Vandoorne and Nick Cassidy; the No. 94 for Loïc Duval, Malthe Jakobsen and Théo Pourchaire.
Sources: 24 Hours of Le Mans
Alpine Arrives at Le Mans Energised for Final WEC Hypercar Season
Alpine’s Hypercar campaign ends after 2026, but the French squad arrives at Le Mans in a positive frame of mind. Team principal Philippe Sinault told media: “We have never been better prepared. We really understand the car.” Driver Ferdinand Habsburg noted a shift in atmosphere: “I was more motivated this year, simply because of the energy the team gave me.” Co-driver Frédéric Makowiecki added: “We are here to give our best. We can count on a whole team supporting us.” Alpine enters two A424 Hypercars, seeking a strong performance at Le Mans after a frustrated result at the 6 Hours of Spa.
Sources: Sportscar365
Sargeant Calls Le Mans Debut “Super Important” in Build-Up to Ford Hypercar Role
Logan Sargeant is making his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Proton Competition’s No. 88 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO alongside Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato — and the former Formula 1 driver has one eye on 2027. Ford’s Hypercar programme will debut that year with a car built by Oreca and powered by a naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8. Sargeant, named alongside Seb Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller as one of Ford’s first confirmed Hypercar drivers, described Le Mans as “super important” preparation for the step up. Sargeant and his co-drivers are competing in LMGT3 as part of the full 2026 FIA WEC season.
Sources: Sportscar365
LMGT3 Preview: 25 Cars Across Nine Manufacturers Line Up for Le Mans
The LMGT3 class at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans features 25 cars from nine manufacturers: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren and Porsche. Among the entries is Logan Sargeant, making his Le Mans debut in Proton Competition’s No. 88 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO alongside Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato, treating the race as preparation for Ford’s Hypercar programme in 2027. Doriane Pin, 22, is one of two female drivers at the start of the 2026 24 Hours, competing in the LMP2 class. Team WRT’s No. 69 BMW M4 LMGT3 Evo was the final car through Saturday scrutineering at 12:40 local time.
Sources: 24 Hours of Le Mans
Michelin’s New Eco-Friendly Hypercar Tyre Faces Crucial Le Mans Test
Michelin’s new 2026 Hypercar tyre, incorporating 50 percent renewable and recycled materials, arrives at Le Mans for its most significant test yet ahead of the June 13 race start. The French manufacturer, exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA WEC Hypercar class, is beginning a new era this season with the Pilot Sport Endurance slick. Key ingredients include recycled carbon black, silica derived from rice husks, sunflower oil and natural rubber. All three compounds will be available at Sunday’s Le Mans test day. Michelin managed up to three stints per set at Imola and is targeting at least the same consistency at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Sources: Daily Sportscar
WEC Hypercar — Drivers
1. René Rast / Robin Frijns — 35 pts
2. Hartley / Hirakawa / Buemi — 26 pts
3. Sheldon van der Linde — 25 pts
4. Kobayashi / Conway / de Vries — 25 pts
5. Magnussen / Marciello — 24 pts
6. Fuoco / Molina / Nielsen — 23 pts
WEC Hypercar — Manufacturers
1. BMW — 59 pts
2. Toyota — 52 pts
3. Ferrari — 42 pts
4. Aston Martin / Alpine (level)
After Round 2 (6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps)
IMSA GTP — Drivers
1. Jack Aitken — 1,760 pts
2. Laurin Heinrich — 1,616 pts
3. Julien Andlauer — 1,606 pts
4. Felipe Nasr — 1,606 pts
IMSA GTP — Manufacturers
1. Cadillac — 1,797 pts
2. Porsche — 1,772 pts
3. Acura — 1,676 pts
4. BMW — 1,628 pts
After Round 6 (Detroit Street Course, May 30)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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