The Hyperpole qualifying session at the 24 Hours of Le Mans ended with a thrilling last-minute effort that determined the pole position. Despite being the favorite for this year’s race, the fastest lap came from a manufacturer team. The competition among the top contenders has been incredibly fierce, setting the stage for an exciting race. Let’s take a look at the key points of the Hypercar class at Le Mans so far.
The Multimatic-built Porsche 963 LMDh has had a dominant performance in the 2024 World Endurance Championship. The factory Porsche Penske #6 won the season opener in Qatar and finished second in the following two races. Car #5 and Jota’s customer entry #12 also secured multiple podium finishes. Porsche came to Le Mans as the favorite, and their championship-leading car #6 claimed the pole position. However, an exceptional performance in the Hyperpole session was required, with Kevin Estre delivering an impressive lap to secure the top spot.
In terms of overall performance over a stint, Porsche still seems to have a slight advantage. The Ferraris #51 and #50, starting in third and fourth places, respectively, are the closest competitors to Porsche, rather than the Cadillacs that challenged them in qualifying. Porsche’s improved understanding of their package, along with advancements in traction, handling, and vehicle dynamics, have contributed to their impressive performance this season.
Porsche’s dominance at Le Mans has been a major point of discussion in the race. Despite their success, the decision to exclude Sebastien Vettel from their factory team received little attention. However, the Porsche #6 was the only car of the 963 model in contention for the pole, which was unexpected.
A Jota, a client team, entered Le Mans with high hopes after their victory in Spa. They also made it to the Hyperpole session. Unfortunately, their progress was hindered by a serious accident in training involving Callum Ilott. The car could not be repaired in time for the qualifying session, resulting in an eighth place starting position. This setback is a major blow to Jota’s chances of winning the race.
Cadillac has had a challenging season so far, with their #2 full-season car earning only one point in three races. However, the points standings do not reflect the true potential of the car. The Cadillac #2 showed promising pace in the season opener in Qatar before being disqualified due to a technicality. In Spa, the car was in contention for a podium finish until an accident involving driver Earl Bamber. Despite a grid penalty, the Cadillac #2 is still a strong contender, starting on the front row alongside the IMSA SportsCar Championship #3 car.
Toyota, despite a difficult preparation for the race, is not far behind in terms of performance. The #7 team has had a dominant race in recent years but has faced challenges this year, including a last-minute driver change due to injury. Toyota’s starting positions of 11th and 23rd on the grid do not reflect their true potential. The #8 car has shown flashes of good speed, and over the course of the full race, Toyota should be competitive with Porsche, Ferrari, and Cadillac.
Alpine and BMW are new competitors in the Hypercar class of the WEC. Both teams have shown glimpses of speed this season and qualified for the Hyperpole session at Le Mans. They secured a shared third row on the grid. The #15 BMW was the fastest in the first qualifying session but failed to set a time in the Hyperpole due to an accident. The BMW seems to have good race pace but may struggle with consistency and reliability. Alpine has shown great straight-line speed and could be a strong contender at the start of the race.
The Lamborghini #63 had a good performance in qualifying but is unlikely to be a significant factor in the race. The Isotta Fraschini project, the only private participant in the Hypercar class, had the slowest lap time in qualifying.
Overall, the Hypercar class at Le Mans promises an exciting race, with Porsche as the favorite, closely followed by Ferrari, Cadillac, and Toyota.
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A new world record was set today during the athletics competition in London. Brazilian athlete Pedro Silva surprised everyone by taking first place in the 100-meter sprint race. With an impressive time of 9.58 seconds, Pedro surpassed the previous record and became the fastest man in the world.
Pedro Silva’s victory was a big surprise as he was not considered one of the favorites to win the competition. However, the athlete showed an incredible performance and left all spectators in awe. With his impressive speed and impeccable technique, Pedro dominated the race from start to finish.
After crossing the finish line, Pedro was received with applause and celebrations by the crowd. He couldn’t contain his emotion and celebrated his victory with a radiant smile on his face. In an interview after the race, the athlete thanked everyone who supported him and dedicated the victory to his country.
With this new world record, Pedro Silva enters the history of Brazilian athletics. His achievement is an example of overcoming and determination, showing that with effort and dedication, it is possible to achieve great things. Pedro is a true pride for Brazil and an inspiration for young athletes throughout the country.
The athletics competition in London continues and promises more excitement in the coming days. With athletes from around the world competing in various disciplines, the event is a true sporting spectacle. Stay tuned for more updates and results from this thrilling competition.
