Circuit de la Sarthe
| Circuit de la Sarthe | |
|---|---|
Circuit de la Sarthe (2018–present) | |
| Location | Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 47°56′N 0°14′E / 47.933°N 0.233°E |
| FIA Grade | 2 (Endurance) |
| Owner | Automobile Club de l'Ouest Ville du Mans |
| Operator | Automobile Club de l'Ouest |
| Opened | 26 May 1923 |
| Major events | Current: FIA WEC 24 Hours of Le Mans (1923–1935, 1937–1939, 1949–present) Le Mans Classic (intermittently 2002–2018, 2021–2023, 2025) Former: World Sportscar Championship (1953–1955, 1957–1974, 1980–1989, 1991–1992) |
| Website | http://www.lemans.org/en/ |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (2018–present) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.626 km (8.467 miles) |
| Turns | 38 |
| Race lap record | 3:17.297 ( Mike Conway, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, 2019, LMP1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (2007–2017) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.629 km (8.470 miles) |
| Turns | 38 |
| Race lap record | 3:17.475 ( André Lotterer, Audi R18, 2015, LMP1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (2002–2006) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.650 km (8.482 miles) |
| Turns | 38 |
| Race lap record | 3:31.211 ( Tom Kristensen, Audi R10 TDI, 2006, LMP1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1997–2001) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.605 km (8.453 miles) |
| Turns | 36 |
| Race lap record | 3:35.032 ( Ukyo Katayama, Toyota GT-One, 1999, LMGTP) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1990–1996) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.600 km (8.451 miles) |
| Turns | 36 |
| Race lap record | 3:27.470 ( Eddie Irvine, Toyota TS010, 1993, Group C1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1987–1989) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.535 km (8.410 miles) |
| Turns | 30 |
| Race lap record | 3:21.270 ( Alain Ferté, Jaguar XJR-9, 1989, Group C1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1986) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.528 km (8.406 miles) |
| Turns | 28 |
| Race lap record | 3:23.300 ( Klaus Ludwig, Porsche 956B, 1986, Group C1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1979–1985) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.626 km (8.467 miles) |
| Turns | 27 |
| Race lap record | 3:25.100 ( Jochen Mass, Porsche 962C, 1985, Group C1) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1972–1978) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.640 km (8.476 miles) |
| Turns | 26 |
| Race lap record | 3:34.200 ( Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Renault Alpine A443, 1978, Group 6) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1968–1971) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.469 km (8.369 miles) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 3:18.400 ( Jackie Oliver, Porsche 917L, 1971, Group 5) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1956–1967) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.461 km (8.365 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 3:23.600 ( Mario Andretti/ Denny Hulme, Ford GT40 Mk IV, 1967, Group 4) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1932–1955) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 13.492 km (8.378 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 4:06.600 ( Mike Hawthorn, Jaguar D-Type, 1955, Sports prototype) |
| Circuit de la Sarthe (1929–1931) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 16.340 km (10.153 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 6:48.000 ( Henry Birkin, Bentley Blower, 1930, Sports prototype) |
The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe (after the 1906 French Grand Prix triangle circuit) located in Le Mans, Sarthe, France, is a semi-permanent motorsport race course, chiefly known as the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. Comprising private, race-specific sections of track in addition to public roads which remain accessible most of the year, its present configuration is 13.626 km (8.467 mi) long, making it one of the longest circuits in the world. The capacity of the race stadium, where the short Bugatti Circuit is situated, is 100,000. The Musée des 24 Heures du Mans is a motorsport museum located at the main entrance of the venue.
Up to 85% of the lap time is spent on full throttle, putting immense stress on engine and drivetrain components. Additionally, the times spent reaching maximum speed also mean tremendous wear on the brakes and suspension as cars must slow from over 322 km/h (200 mph) to around 100 km/h (62 mph) for the sharp corner at the village of Mulsanne.