Le Mans 2026: Thoughts and predictions

 

Here we go again! The Monaco Grand Prix of sportscars is about to start, and I've got a small wall of text to get off my chest as per usual.

Hypercar
In this apparent "Golden Age" of sportscar endurance racing, with Ferrari having won the last three editions (with three crews, who have all entered the last three editions together) it's got to be someone besides them to win this year. Otherwise we might look back on this era as an Italian washout (with a small Japanese prologue from Toyota), which it most assuredly is not; given just how many manufacturers we now have in the Hypercar class and how closely matched they are.

Cadillac demonstrated their one-lap pace in qualifying last year and this one, but lost the 2026 pole position following a track limits violation. This gifted the #15 BMW the top spot, which is very annoying since I've been feeling like it might be BMW's year ever since their #20 car won at Spa. Now it only looks like I'm picking them because they're on pole! But honestly, all of these manufacturers are looking fairly quick (except maybe for Peugeot, the poor guys...) including the new Genesis Magma which snuck its way up to 6th on the grid.

So what do I actually think? It's be cool if someone other than Ferrari ends up winning. I think either BMW seems most likely to do that. But I wouldn't be sad if Toyota manage to win at Le Mans in a stronger field than in their previous successful years. An Aston Martin winning would be awesome.

LMP2 and LMGT3
I have absolutely no insight or opinions for you here. Ever since the system of driver allowance based on how many platinum/gold/silver/bronze rated drivers can be in LMP2 or GT3, it's given me too much to keep up on. I've not got a clue who might be decent among most silver or any of the bronze drivers. I tell you what, though; there's still plenty of interesting names with famous older relatives attached to them, as well as ex-F1 drivers and seriously good endurance racers to look out for.

Twist my arm? I'll say #14 with Lütke/Beche/Estre or #24 with Jack Doohan in it for LMP2, and one of the Manthey Porsches in GT3 (#91 and #92)

Alléz, Le Mans!