The trucks have already rolled, and the teams are now on site preparing themselves for what will be an elongated stay at the Circuit de La Sarthe in time for this weekend’s official test day ahead of next week’s FIA World Endurance Championship round and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In this somewhat disjointed season after the postponement of the scripted opening round to the year in Qatar back in late March, next weekend’s event will be the third round to the 2026 season having opened at Imola in mid-April before moving onto to Spa Francorchamps last month for its second six-hour race of the year.
As has become something of a norm, all the attending teams and indeed crews (if new to the 24-hour event) must attend the official test day at the circuit during which all ‘novice’ drivers must complete a minimum number of laps (as well as a simulator session in Paris) before they will be allowed to race.
For the two Heart of Racing Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercars – that will not be an issue to them as all six drivers have raced that car at the circuit last year as have many of the three Aston Martin Racing Vantage LMGT3 crews from both the Heart of Racing and Racing Spirit of Leman crews.
The four Heart of Racing entries remain the only four full season entrants from the British brand with the #59 RSLM crew only their by invitation from their European Le Mans Series endeavours this season as it appears that the second reserve from the Ecurie Ecosse by Blackthorn AMR team has been unsuccessful in their quest this season.
A total of sixty two Hypercar, LMP2 and LMGT3 crews should be in attendance this weekend for the test day on Sunday where there will be two three-hour sessions available to then within which all teams must do whatever is necessary to prepare them and their crews for next week’s opening sessions for the 24hour.
Photo credits – Teams / social media