Streaks of success have been common in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, but changes to the regulations of the Hypercar class mean the blue riband of endurance racing looks a more open contest than it has for years in 2026.
Audi won five in a row from 2010 to 2014, then there were three Porsche wins and five Toyota victories before the Ferrari successes in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The Italian team are favourites to keep their run going this weekend, but they will have to do it the hard way after qualifying no higher than eighth in a close Hyperpole shootout on Friday night.
24 Hours of Le Mans Tips Summary
Best Bet - Cadillac Hertz Team Jota No.38 each-way @ 20/1
Alternative Bet - Ferrari AF Corse No.51 @ 7/2
Alternative Bet - Toyota Gazoo Racing No.7 @ 11/2
24 Hours of Le Mans Prediction
Best Bet: Cadillac Hertz Team Jota No.38 each-way @ 20/1
A fascinating race is in prospect around the iconic Le Mans track this weekend in what looks set to be one of the most competitive battles in the famous endurance race for years.
Changes to the competitive balance of the Hypercar category means bettors no longer have to choose from three cars fielded by one or two dominant teams as virtually the whole field in the elite section looks capable of challenging for the podium.
Ferrari are favourites for a fourth successive victory but the best value bet for the race could be taking new kids on the block Cadillac to shake up the established order and claim their first Le Mans victory.
The No.38 car of former F1 driver Sebastian Bourdais, Britain's Jack Aitken and Earl Bamber look well worth an interest at a big price.
They began the week well when Bamber went fastest in the first practice session and looked to have taken pole on Friday, only to have their best lap time deleted for a technical infringement after they entered the pit-lane slightly too early at the beginning of the session.
Their pace once they were on the track was genuine, though, and despite being relegated to 10th on the grid they can make their presence felt at the front.
Bamber and Bourdais finished seventh last season with Jenson Button as the third driver, while the top Cadillac was just off the podium in fourth, and they look to have taken a step forward this season.
Alternative Bet: Ferrari AF Corse No.51 @ 7/2
Ferrari had a tough time in final qualifying and their cars will line up only eighth, 12th and 17th on the grid, but it might be too soon to write them off entirely.
The No.51 car is just the biggest-priced of their entries at 7/2, but that could be worth taking as former F1 racer Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi are experienced performers who were on the podium in third place in each of the last two seasons after their famous victory in 2023.
They finished second in the season-opening Six Hours of Imola before being forced to retire in the latest round at Spa, but they should be able to play a prominent role from eighth on the grid.
Alternative Bet: Toyota Gazoo Racing No.7 @ 11/2
Toyota had looked in good shape to bounce back at Le Mans after missing out on the podium in 2025 and the No.7 team were fastest in the second practice session through Kamui Kobayashi.
Qualifying did not go their way and they will start in a disappointing 14th and 15th on the grid, but the market still respects their chances and that is understandable given their pedigree.
The No.7 team includes Kobayashi and Mike Conway, who won the race together for Toyota in 2021 and the current team with Nick De Vries as third driver finished fifth last year, while Kobayashi and De Vries were second together in 2024.
After two top-five finishes in the WEC events at Imola and Spa this year, they can get in the mix at the front.
Key Race Stats
- Ferrari have won the last three editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- The last five runnings have all been won by different drivers
- The BMW No.20 car leads the World Endurance Championship after two rounds
- The Cadillac No.38 car set the fastest time in qualifying but was demoted due to a penalty
- The BMW No.15 car will start the race from pole
- Toyota No.8 driver Sebastian Buemi is a four-time winner at Le Mans
Read more Motorsports betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
