Le Mans News

McLaren executive director Zak Brown has said that he finds the provisional plans for the new premier class at Le Mans “compelling” as the Formula 1 team considers a works return to sports car racing.

Six-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Jacky Ickx has been appointed the Grand Marshal for this year’s edition of the iconic endurance race set to take place on the 16-17 June.

Fernando Alonso says he prefers the more restricted nature of the Formula 1 paddock compared to the greater freedom offered to fans in the World Endurance Championship, having found it “stressful” at times during his Spa race weekend.

Fernando Alonso says his early success with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship with have no bearing on his Formula 1 focus but has criticised the sport for being too predictable in recent seasons.

Jenson Button has completed his maiden test with World Endurance Championship squad SMP Racing at Magny-Cours as he steps up preparations to join the Russian squad for his Le Mans debut.

Oliver Rowland turned down an offer to race in Super Formula this year so he could focus on his World Endurance Campaign and Williams Formula 1 commitments in 2018. 

FIA president Jean Todt would like to see between five and seven manufacturers racing in the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, but hinted it may not run to the existing LMP1 regulations in order to attract new entries.

Neel Jani admitted he was surprised by the two-lap gap between Rebellion Racing and Toyota in Saturday’s FIA World Endurance Championship season-opener at Spa as the LMP1 privateer teams failed to put up a fight at the front of the field.

Pietro Fittipaldi has undergone successful leg surgery following his high-speed crash during qualifying for WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on Friday.

The FIA World Endurance Championship officials have confirmed the #7 Toyota has been excluded from qualifying for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, promoting Fernando Alonso onto pole position for his debut in the series.

The Manor Racing-run CEFC TRSM Racing has been forced to withdraw both its Ginetta LMP1 entries from the opening round of the World Endurance Championship at Spa due to funding issues.

Fernando Alonso was surprised to learn of former Formula 1 teammate Jenson Button's decision to enter this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, believing his move into Super GT has helped to open his eyes to sports car racing.

Fernando Alonso is impressed by the team spirit he has found at Toyota’s LMP1 operation since his arrival over the winter, believing that such a strong team atmosphere is difficult to find in Formula 1.

Manor LMP1 driver Oliver Rowland is confident the British squad will be “close on pace” to its privateer rivals at this weekend’s FIA World Endurance Championship season-opener at Spa. 

Fernando Alonso says he is currently in "energy-saving mode" as he juggles duties in both Formula 1 and the FIA World Endurance Championship over the next two months to further his bid to win the 'triple crown of motorsport'.

Jenson Button will make his World Endurance Championship debut at the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours after securing a deal with LMP1 challengers SMP Racing.

Oliver Turvey has been confirmed as the final driver to complete the CEFC TRSM Ginetta line-up ahead of the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship super season.

Toyota ended the 30-hour FIA World Endurance Championship pre-season Prologue test at Paul Ricard with a one-two finish, beating its privateer LMP1 rivals by more than four seconds.

Toyota Gazoo Racing is gearing up for the World Endurance Championship Prologue at Paul Ricard by accepting a tough challenge against its privateer LMP1 rivals due to the 2018-19 regulations but feels buoyed by the arrival of Fernando Alonso plus winter developments.

Ferrari Formula 1 youngster Antonio Giovinazzi will make his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 after being named as part of the AF Corse team's line-up in the GTE-Pro class.

The planned FIA World Endurance Championship round at Sebring in March 2019 has been brought forward by more than 24 hours in a bid to ease the schedule on its double-header weekend with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Alex Brundle has secured a full-time switch up to LMP1 with the Manor Racing-run CEFC TRSM Racing Ginetta squad for the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship super season.

Stephane Richelmi will return to the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2018-18 'super season' after being named as Jackie Chan DC Racing's final driver ahead of this week's pre-season Prologue test at Paul Ricard.

Toyota driver Anthony Davidson will return to the FIA World Endurance Championship after the Le Mans 24 Hours, driving for the DragonSpeed LMP2 squad.