Breaking news: BMW inherits pole after Aitken penalty
Cadillac loses Hyperpole victory as Aitken’s lap is deleted for track limits
What looked like a sensational Hyperpole triumph for Cadillac has turned into a dramatic reversal. Jack Aitken initially celebrated pole position for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but hours later race control deleted his fastest lap for exceeding track limits. The penalty means BMW’s Dries Vanthoor is now officially the Hyperpole winner, a stunning twist after the podium ceremony had already taken place.
A dramatic reversal sets the tone for Le Mans
There are early indications that the deleted lap may be related to track limits, but race control has not yet confirmed the exact reason. What is clear, however, is that something went wrong during the post‑session review, and Jack Aitken has been removed from the Hyperpole classification. Where he will be placed within the revised top ten is still unknown at this stage. More information is expected as the stewards continue their investigation.
The scenes in the Cadillac garage shifted from celebration to disbelief. The team had embraced what seemed like a historic pole, only to see it taken away long after the session ended. For BMW, the news comes as an unexpected but welcome boost: Vanthoor’s already impressive performance is now rewarded with the top starting spot for the 2026 edition of the world’s most iconic endurance race.
The late decision reshapes the competitive picture heading into the 24‑hour marathon. Cadillac had shown strong pace throughout qualifying, but losing pole in this manner is a psychological blow. BMW, meanwhile, gains momentum at exactly the right moment and suddenly enters the race as the team with the clearest statement of intent.
