Only Endurance has learned that the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be run on the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit from 2026 onwards.
This marks a major shift from running on the Circuit de la Sarthe, the 8.5 mile, 13.626km track, mostly made up of public roads. The race has been run on the longer circuit since 1923, but this will cease from 2026 onwards.
The reason for this, we have learned, is due to some local opposition to the race. While many locals in the Le Mans region and the larger French department of Sarthe are happy to have roads closed for a week in June, there are some who are not.
But, running on the Bugatti Circuit alleviates these concerns. It's a purpose-built race track that uses the main straight, pits, and Dunlop Chicane from the regular track, before diverting off at drivers' right during the Forest Esses. The circuit then rejoins the regular track at the Ford Chicanes.
The ACO has had unfortunately had to bow to the pressure from the disgruntled locals. But, the good news is, the race will still run, with a full 24 hours of action.
More details, Only Endurance believes, will be released at the annual ACO press conference in June, in the week preceding this year's race — the last, at least for the foreseeable future, on the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Feature image: DPPI / WEC
