Are Le Mans Cars Faster Than F1? All You Need To Know

Are Le Mans Hypercars faster than Formula 1? Read on for all you need to know about the power, speed, engineering and more of the two.

Updated on Jun 05, 2024  |  04:27 PM IST |  321.1K
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The question of whether Formula 1 or Le Mans cars are faster has always excited the curiosity of racing fans. They are vehicles built for performance and speed, but they are also incredible achievements in terms of engineering.

Lemans vs F1: How are they different?

Long-distance races are unique to Le Mans cars. This is very important for those who participate in the Le Mans 24-hour race. In 2021, the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) took the place of the LMP1 category. This resulted in lower expenses as well as an increase in fan base. 

Qualifying for the World Endurance Championship is pretty simple. The process involves two 10-minute sessions to determine a grid. Starting positions are decided by each qualifying driver's quickest lap, while pole position is determined by the top performers in a Hyperpole session.


WEC races are significantly longer, with most lasting six hours. The Le Mans 24 Hours race is the highlight, lasting a full day. Multiple drivers share each car, with regulations mandating minimum driving times for each. Driver categorization ensures a balanced competition.

Formula 1 cars are made specifically for circuit racing at high speeds where they need to be very agile in addition to having a lot of downforce for quick acceleration. These machines with single seats and open cockpits are built to move around tight twisty tracks with as much precision as possible. It predominantly focuses on their agility and rapid acceleration in addition to downforce for high-speed circuit racing.

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Q1, Q2, and Q3 are the three parts into which F1 qualifying is divided. This format decides the starting grid with the slowest drivers being eliminated in each session until there are only ten left to compete for pole position in the final one. 

ALSO READ: 8 Interesting Facts About Canadian Grand Prix You Didn’t Know

Pirelli provides three different tyre compounds for every race weekend. A team should use at least two of them during the race.


F1 races last up to two hours, covering a minimum distance of 305 km. Pitstops are used for tyre changes and repairs, with no refuelling allowed since 2010. Each car must use at least two of the three nominated tyre compounds provided by Pirelli.

Top speed

Le Mans cars have a higher maximum velocity than F1 cars do, especially on those long straights found at circuits like Circuit de la Sarthe; however, they are still very fast vehicles themselves Technology & Innovation.

Endurance vs. sprint performance: Design model

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Le Mans cars are designed for endurance, focusing on maintaining high speeds over extended periods. In contrast, F1 cars prioritise sprint performance, excelling in quick acceleration and rapid speed changes, crucial for circuit racing.

Technology and innovation

Le Mans cars and F1 vehicles are leaders in the car production sector which means they use the latest technologies for best results. Lighter materials, stronger engines, and better aerodynamics are what mainly define them.

Points systems

F1 awards points to the top 10 finishers, with a maximum of 25 points for the winner and one additional point for the fastest lap if achieved by a top 10 finisher.

WEC uses a similar points system for six-hour races, but awards are based on class positions. Longer races, like the Le Mans 24 Hours, offer double points, reflecting the increased challenge and prestige.

Ultimately, their design philosophy is what separates Le Mans and F1, with Le Mans placing more emphasis on endurance and F1 on sheer speed and agility. 

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Which is "better" or "faster" depends on what kind of pace you like best.

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About The Author

Ananya Kesh is a journalism student with a burning passion for the world of sports. Writing allows her

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