The 24 Hours of Le Mans is once again attracting some of motorsport’s biggest names, with 15 former Formula One drivers preparing to compete in this year’s endurance classic. Many of them will race in the premier Hypercar category as they look to add another major achievement to their careers beyond F1.
Key Drivers at Le Mans 2026
- Fifteen former Formula 1 drivers will challenge for victory across various classes.
- The majority of these ex-F1 talents are competing in the top-tier Hypercar category.
- Robert Kubica stands out as the sole F1 Grand Prix winner on the grid.
- Many drivers, like Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley, have found immense success in WEC, eclipsing their F1 stints.
Hypercar Heavyweights: F1 Alumni Chasing Glory
Kamui Kobayashi returns for his 12th Le Mans appearance with Toyota, driving the No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid. The Japanese driver, who also serves as team principal, won Le Mans outright in 2021 and has claimed multiple WEC Hypercar titles. During his F1 career with BMW Sauber and Caterham, Kobayashi secured a memorable podium finish at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.
Sharing the No. 7 car is Nyck de Vries, who has rebuilt his career in endurance racing after a brief Formula 1 stint with AlphaTauri. The Dutchman has already collected two WEC victories with Toyota.
The No. 8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid features Sébastien Buemi, one of the most successful drivers in WEC history. Buemi holds a record 27 race wins and shares the record for top-class championships with four titles. The former Toro Rosso driver also won the opening race of the current WEC season.
Alongside Buemi is Brendon Hartley, a multiple-time WEC champion and Le Mans winner. Hartley previously played a key role in Porsche’s dominant LMP1 programme before joining Toyota.
Ferrari AF Corse: The Reigning Champions
Ferrari’s No. 51 499P includes Antonio Giovinazzi, who helped deliver Ferrari’s famous Le Mans victory in 2023. After racing for Sauber and Alfa Romeo in Formula 1, Giovinazzi has established himself as a leading contender in the Hypercar class.
The No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari will be driven by Robert Kubica, the most accomplished former F1 driver in the field. Kubica won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix and famously returned to Formula 1 after a serious rally accident. Now 41, he arrives as the defending 2025 Le Mans winner and remains one of the strongest contenders for overall victory.
Cadillac & Jota: American Muscle, Global Ambition
Will Stevens will race the No. 12 Cadillac V-Series.R. The Briton has previously secured class victories in both GTE Am and LMP2 and is now aiming for overall success in Hypercar after a brief Formula 1 spell with Marussia in 2015.
In the No. 38 Cadillac, Sébastien Bourdais continues his pursuit of an overall Le Mans victory. The Frenchman owns four CART championships and a Daytona 24 Hours win, while also claiming Le Mans class honours during his career.
Joining him is Jack Aitken, who currently leads the IMSA GTP standings. Aitken made a single Formula 1 appearance for Williams at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix and enters Le Mans with one of his strongest opportunities yet to challenge for victory.
Peugeot Seeks Progress
Three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer continues his endurance racing career with Genesis, driving the No. 17 GMR-001. The veteran has also won multiple WEC titles following a one-race Formula 1 appearance with Caterham.
The No. 93 Peugeot 9X8 will be shared by Paul di Resta and Stoffel Vandoorne. Di Resta, a former Force India driver and DTM champion, brings extensive experience to Peugeot’s programme and has recorded two WEC podium finishes.
Vandoorne, once considered one of McLaren’s brightest prospects, has built a successful endurance racing career since leaving Formula 1. His achievements include an overall Le Mans podium in 2019.
Former F1 Drivers Competing in Other Classes
Doohan Begins New Chapter
Jack Doohan will make his Le Mans debut in the LMP2 Pro-Am category with Nielsen Racing’s No. 24 Oreca 07. After a short Formula 1 stint with Alpine, the Australian is beginning a new phase of his career in endurance racing.
Fittipaldi Continues LMP2 Campaign
Pietro Fittipaldi returns in the No. 26 Vector Sport Oreca 07. The grandson of F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi raced twice for Haas in Formula 1 during 2020 and already owns an LMP2 victory in WEC competition.
Sargeant Debuts at Le Mans
Former Williams driver Logan Sargeant will compete in the LMGT3 category with Proton Competition’s No. 88 Ford Mustang LMGT3. Sargeant has joined the WEC full-time and is set to move into Hypercar competition with Ford next season. He arrives for his Le Mans debut after already scoring points at Imola.
Former F1 Talent Adds Extra Intrigue to Le Mans
The presence of 15 former Formula 1 drivers highlights the growing appeal of endurance racing and the depth of talent competing at Le Mans. Whether pursuing fresh success, rebuilding careers or adding to already impressive résumés, these drivers will be among the key storylines when the race gets underway at La Sarthe.
