This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans served up another magnificent weekend of racing as AF Corse claimed overall victory in front of some 332,000 fans. What was the experience of this 93^rd edition like for you? 

This 93^rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was exceptional for several reasons. From a sporting point of view, it was an intense, dramatic race where the outcome remained uncertain until the closing stages, with such an incredible level of performance and reliability. AF Corse were also rewarded for their absolute commitment in what was a very competitive environment. Winning by less than 15 seconds in normal conditions, without any major incidents is incredible: it was almost a sprint race, but one which lasted 24 hours! Aside from the result, the atmosphere throughout the week was extraordinary. 332,000 fans is a new record for the race, having sold out within 48 hours of tickets going on sale. That proves that Endurance remains very popular and shows just how much the public love this one-off race. It’s also a very rewarding experience for all the ACO and Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) teams, as well for our partners, including TotalEnergies, who have supported us for many years.

Endurance is going through something of a golden age since the inception of the Hypercar class, with eight manufacturers competing in the championship. How do you see its medium-term future?

We wanted to make Endurance a modern, attractive form of racing, focusing on innovation and performance. The Hypercar regulations are undoubtedly behind this spectacular turnaround, enabling us to breathe new life into the category in bringing together some of the world’s biggest manufacturers. The fact that there is regulatory stability, confirmed until 2032, means that brands can make a medium to long term commitment. Endurance is also appealing through its values: it promotes and rewards strategy, reliability, human effort and technological diversity. We have certainly made a big step forward, but it’s just the start. This season’s success shows that we have struck a balance between entertainment, technical expertise and sustainability.

You have just announced that the Hypercar prototypes will be authorised to compete in the Asian Le Mans Series, a series in which TotalEnergies was one of the founding partners. 

Yes, that’s right. “Private” Hypercars will be able to take part in the Asian Le Mans Series from the 2026/2027 season onwards. This means that Hypercars will then be able to compete in the Americas (IMSA), in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in Asia in a Pro-Am format. We want to develop the championship and meet demand from the manufacturers.

Looking further ahead, hydrogen power is set to be introduced in Endurance racing. TotalEnergies has been an ACO partner since the outset of the MissionH24 project.

Yes, hydrogen power is a central tenet of our long-term vision. TotalEnergies has been heavily involved since the start of the MissionH24 project, especially through the mobile refuelling unit developed for the demos held in real racing conditions. It is the first of its kind worldwide and proves that racing can support the development of practical solutions for the future. With the FIA, we have set up a working group tasked with coming up with the future safety regulations for this new category. The introduction of hydrogen-powered cars will be a major milestone in the history of racing and I'm convinced that our partnership with TotalEnergies will play a decisive role.

In the meantime, ACO and TotalEnergies have a shared commitment to decarbonising motorsport. What is your point of view on the Excellium Racing 100 fuel used at Le Mans and in the WEC? 

It is inconceivable for Endurance racing not to include environmental responsibility. Since 2022, all competitors in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WEC use a fully-sustainable biofuel: Excellium Racing 100, developed by TotalEnergies. This fuel helps to reduce CO_₂ emissions by at least 65% throughout its life cycle. This is a major advance and a powerful symbol of what responsible motorsport can look like. We’re proud to convey this message together, with practical solutions that can be deployed immediately. It shows that the energy transition can also involve motor racing.

TotalEnergies is also a multi-energy partner to ACO. There are projects in progress regarding the energy supply of equipment at the track. Can you tell us a bit more about this? 

Our partnership with TotalEnergies goes a long way beyond just supplying fuel. The 24 Hours of Le Mans track is now a genuine test ground for the energy transition. A network of EV charging stations is gradually being rolled out and TotalEnergies is supporting us in improving energy efficiency in all of our buildings. The target is clear: turn Le Mans into an efficient and sustainable site. It’s a major transformation, which calls for an ambitious approach, expertise and a long-term vision. TotalEnergies is a strategic partner in all of these areas and we are moving forward together, seamlessly and constructively.

In 2032, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will celebrate its 100^th edition. What might the starting grid look like? 

The 100^th edition will obviously be a powerful and symbolic event, not unlike the centenary edition in 2023. However, we will prepare the event with the same high standards as all the others. By then, we hope to have a wide range of technologies involved: hydrogen, synthetic fuels, biofuels, hybrid cars, etc. Our goal is to maintain the balance between performance, innovation and responsibility. The history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is littered with examples of major technological revolutions. The 2032 race will be no exception, and we obviously hope that TotalEnergies will be at our side, helping to write this new chapter.