Michelin out to equal Le Mans winning record
With just under 100 days to go until the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours, the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) has released the names of the 62 entries it has invited to contest the race's 93rd running (June 14-15). Michelin, which has been selected by the ACO and FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) to supply endurance racing's premier class until 2029, will equip all of the 21 Hypercars listed as it attempts to equal the record for the highest number of Le Mans victories by a single tire manufacturer.
Although Michelin can claim the highest number of consecutive wins by a tire firm at Le Mans (27), it is still one short of the absolute record of 34 victories that has been Dunlop's property since 1991.
In its bid to equal that score in June, it will be able to count on its eight manufacturer-partners in the Hypercar category who will be able to choose between three types of slick (soft, medium, hard) and a wet-weather tire.
This year, however, will be the final appearance of the current MICHELIN Pilot Sport range – which was developed using simulator technology – ahead of its replacement in 2026.
The 21-strong Hypercar field will make up a third of this year's Le Mans grid. The contingent includes a quartet of Cadillac V-Series.Rs run on the American firm's behalf by Jota, Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing.
Porsche will have four cars, too, with three of its 963 prototypes tended by Penske Motorsport and the other by Proton Competition as the German make targets a 20th Le Mans success.
Meanwhile, Ferrari is aiming to win the French classic for the third year on the trot with the trio of Ferrari 499Ps that recently monopolized the podium at the Qatar 1812 Km, first round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Six-time world champion Toyota's last victory at Le Mans was in 2022 when it took its unbeaten run to five. To defend its colors as it seeks to return to its winning ways, the Japanese firm will be represented by two GR010 Hybrids.
Looking to rekindle former glory
BMW, Peugeot, Alpine and Aston Martin are all past Le Mans winners and all four have entered two prototypes in their bid to get their names re-etched on the trophy.
Last year, BMW celebrated the 25th anniversary of its victory in 1999. Its M Hybrid V8 has made significant progress since its debut in 2025 and has emerged as a front-running player in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA WEC.
Peugeot's last win at Le Mans was with the 908 HDI FAP/Michelin in 2009, while two previous victories in La Sarthe in the 1990s make it the most the successful French brand there. This time around, it will be represented by a brace of 9X8s whose combination of performance with reliability promises to be a significant asset.
Alpine's one and only triumph at Le Mans dates back almost 50 years ago to 1978, with the Michelin-equipped Alpine A442b. The French team will be eager to reverse its poor fortunes of last year when its A424s suffered engine issues.
Last but by no means least, Aston Martin - which secured a memorable one-two finish at Le Mans with the iconic DBR1 in 1959 – returns to the fight for outright honors this year with a pair of Valkyrie prototypes derived from its road-going Hypercar. The song of their V12 engines are sure to delight the expected 300,000 spectators as they pound down the Mulsanne Straight.
Ahead of the weekend of June 14-15, Michelin Motorsport and its partners face a busy test program, plus two more rounds of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship as they fine-tune their preparations for the world's most famous and most exacting endurance race.