24 Hours of Le Mans - Announcing the timetable for the 2022 race! 23.02.2022: After two years of restrictions, festivity is the leitmotiv for this June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the third leg of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The run-up to the big race will be a celebration of motoring as we all know and love it, with Test Day

After two years of restrictions, festivity is the leitmotiv for this June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the third leg of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The run-up to the big race will be a celebration of motoring as we all know and love it, with Test Day open to the public, the scrutineering sessions in the city centre and three support races.



The 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, back in its usual mid-June slot, has a packed schedule lined up, starting with the scrutineering sessions on Place de la République in Le Mans city centre on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June.



These technical and administrative checks cover Test Day (Sunday 5 June) and the race itself a week later.



Among the trackside events on Tuesday 7 June, the popular Pitwalk session returns, much to the delight of the many fans who enjoy gathering to chat with drivers and catch a glimpse of their cars.



The first practice session will be at 14:00 on Wednesday 8 June with the Hyperpole session on the Thursday evening between 20:00 and 20:30. Spectators can look forward to some spectacular track action as the fastest 24 cars set out to secure the best place on the grid, with plenty of room on the 13.626-kilometre circuit to deploy their full speed.   


Racing fans will also be treated to an outstanding programme of support races on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 June. As well as popular fixtures Road to Le Mans and the Porsche Sprint Challenge France, the full road circuit will host a round of the Ligier European Series for the first time.



The day before the race is always atmospheric. Spectators can enjoy this year’s support races and trackside entertainment as the tension mounts before the big day. Details of the actual events will be issued in a separate announcement.



The 24 Hours of Le Mans starts at 16:00 on Saturday 11 June.



Last year’s experiment having proved satisfactory, the full circuit will be open (and therefore the roads closed) from Wednesday 8 until after the race on Sunday 12. The new procedure has the backing of local authorities and communities who are conscious that the event contributes greatly to the local and regional economy.




Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: "Back to normal at last! After two years of health and safety restrictions, the 24 Hours of Le Mans returns to our preferred midsummer slot, with a packed schedule. I am delighted to say that we will be back in town for scrutineering and that fans will be welcome trackside. It’s going to be great to see everyone again. We are looking forward to spreading our passion for endurance racing far and wide."



Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President: “The last couple of years have been challenging for motor sport and events that offer a unique experience to the fans, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, suffered the most.

Therefore,  I’m pleased that this year’s edition will see the return of the traditional pre-event activities in the centre of the Le Mans old town. With this great race celebrating its 99th birthday, the timing couldn’t have been better. This coincides well with all of the positive developments we currently witness in the FIA World Endurance Championship.”




Dominique Le Mèner, chair of the Syndicat Mixte du Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans (the consortium of private and public bodies in charge of managing the track): "Thanks to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, La Sarthe is the centre of attention in June – giving us the chance to show the world what we have to offer.


The Sarthe department holds a 50% share in the Syndicat Mixte, which invests heavily in the upkeep of the circuit to ensure that our race continues to merit its reputation as the world’s best. I am pleased to see scrutineering and the drivers’ parade back in the streets of Le Mans.



 Local people take great pride in their race and these events bring joy to many – as the sea of happy faces always proves."

 



 

Jean-Baptiste Schmidt