Le Mans expands 2019 grid to 62 cars

LeMans Start

The Le Mans 24 Hours will feature a 62-car grid this year, with temporary garages being erected to house the top two teams from the reserve list, High Class Racing and United Autosports.

Race organizer the Automobile Club de l'Ouest announced the move on Tuesday, granting the top two teams on the reserve list the chance to take part in the 87th running of the French endurance classic.

ACO President Pierre Fillon commented: “In February, the selection committee faced a harder task than it has in many years. There were 75 applications – all of a high standard -and it was particularly difficult to choose 60, only 60 of them should I say.

"We quickly came to the conclusion that we had to find a way of accepting additional competitors, and our crews confirmed the feasibility of adding two garages to pit lane.

"We knuckled down and are overjoyed to be able to accept 62 entrants for the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a record number and a sign that this race is as popular as ever."

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This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15-16 June is a landmark event as the grand finale of the FIA World Endurance Championship, bringing the 2018-19 Super Season to a close. The 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans Selection Committee received a record 75 applications from teams eager to take part in this year’s milestone race, where the world champions will be crowned.

To earn a coveted place on the list of 60 entrants plus 2 of 10 reserves, competitors were assessed on the following criteria:

Sporting and technical quality
Spectator and media appeal
Commitment and loyalty to ACO series (such as the Asian Le Mans Series and the European Le Mans Series)

A partial list was announced on 11 February, and the full grid for the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans has now been revealed.

>> Download the official list <<

The quality and diversity of this year’s line-up certainly promises to keep the Le Mans 24 Hours legend alive, while heralding a new era with the race as the climax of the World Endurance Championship. And there is a host of new features yet to be unveiled!