Full Thursday Programme for the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans
Final practice, Hyperpole and support series set the tone for a packed day at Circuit de la Sarthe
The build‑up to the 2026 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans reaches full intensity today, with a complete schedule of free practice, qualifying sessions, support races and the much‑anticipated Hyperpole showdown. Fans at the circuit can expect non‑stop track action from early morning until midnight, capped off by a live concert from The Libertines.
Free Practice: Final Preparations Before the Weekend
Teams have two crucial sessions today to fine‑tune their cars ahead of the world’s most demanding endurance race. These final runs are essential for fuel strategy, aero balance and night‑time rhythm, all decisive factors at Le Mans.
Hyperpole: The Fight for the Front
The spotlight event of the day is the new‑format Hyperpole, where the fastest cars from Wednesday’s qualifying battle for the ultimate one‑lap glory.
| Time | Session | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:45 | Qualifying | Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil |
| 09:00 – 17:00 | Arnage in the Race | Exhibition & Parades |
| 10:00 – 00:00 | Fan Zones Open | Fan Village, Kids Zone, Constructors |
| 10:15 – 11:15 | Qualifying | Road to Le Mans |
| 11:55 – 12:40 | Qualifying | Ferrari Challenge |
| 12:50 | Hydrogen Demo | H2 Prototype |
| 13:25 – 14:15 | Race 1 | Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil |
| 14:45 – 17:45 | Free Practice 3 | 24H Le Mans |
| 18:30 – 19:15 | Race 1 | Ferrari Challenge |
| 20:00 – 21:55 | Hyperpole | All Classes |
| 20:00 – 23:20 | Concert | The Libertines |
| 23:00 – 00:00 | Free Practice 4 | 24H Le Mans (Night) |
Schedule:
| Time | Session | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 20:00 – 20:20 | Hyperpole 1 | LMP2 & LMGT3 |
| 20:35 – 20:50 | Hyperpole 2 | LMP2 & LMGT3 |
| 21:05 – 21:25 | Hyperpole 1 | Hypercar |
| 21:40 – 21:55 | Hyperpole 2 | Hypercar |
| 22:05 – 22:25 | Hyperpole Ceremony | All Classes |
With no margin for error and only one perfect lap to deliver, this is where legends are made.
Support Series: Porsche, Ferrari and Road to Le Mans
A full slate of support categories keeps the track busy throughout the day:
- Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil
- Qualifying: 09:00 – 09:45
- Race 1: 13:25 – 14:15
- Road to Le Mans
- Qualifying: 10:15 – 11:15
- Ferrari Challenge
- Qualifying: 11:55 – 12:40
- Race 1: 18:30 – 19:15
These sessions offer fans a mix of GT battles, prototype action and manufacturer‑backed sprint racing.
Evening Entertainment: The Libertines Live
The day closes with a concert by The Libertines, performing from 20:00 to 23:20, bringing a rock‑driven energy to the circuit as night falls.
More WEC: the full 2026 calendar, every race result and all of our reporting from the World Endurance Championship are collected on our FIA WEC hub.
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