In the premier category of Hypercars, the two Ferraris were on the front row when American basketball star LeBron James gave the start signal at 16:00 (14:00 GMT) by waving a tricolor flag with the race logo.

But the Toyota N.8, crowned last year and driven by Sebastien Buemi, who started in third position, quickly intercalated before taking the lead.

The Ferrari N.50, which exploded the times during testing this week, was now running in second position, followed by the Toyota N.7, the other Ferrari N.51 and the Porsche N.75.

The track was still dry in front of the pits, but wet in sectors after localized showers, while the passage of a potentially violent storm front was feared in the late afternoon.

Shortly before the start, a Chenard & Walcker identical to the one that had won the first edition in 1923 on muddy roads, brought the centenary trophy.

Under the eyes of LeBron James but also two legends of the race, Tom Christensen, who holds the record for the number of victories (9) and his runner-up Jackie Ickx (6).

"See Ferrari win!"

But the most applauded on the starting grid was Charles Leclerc, Formula 1 driver at Ferrari who came to support the Scuderia, who greeted the presence of many flags struck with the prancing horse in the stands.

"It's exceptional, it's the first time I've come to Le Mans," he said. "Le Mans is a race I've always watched, it's always made me dream, why not one day..."

In the meantime, the show should be at the rendezvous for the 300,000 fans from around the world, who snatched the tickets of the event several months ago.

"I want to see Ferrari win!" said Andrew Hill, a 69-year-old Briton, walking with two friends, all dressed in red from head to toe.

French Sports Minister Amélie Oudea-Castera greets Los Angeles Lakers American basketball player LeBron James before the start of the 100th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 10, 2023 © Jean-Francois MONIER / AFP

In recent years, the suspense was limited to knowing which of Toyota's N.7 or N.8 Hypercars would win, as the competition was limited.

Thanks to changes in regulations that have reduced costs, Porsche, Cadillac, Peugeot and especially Ferrari, absent for fifty years, are back at Le Mans, waiting for Alpine, BMW or Lamborghini next year.

"The suspense is total," said Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), organizer of the race.

Rainwear

All morning, spectators flocked, dressed in rain gear, waiting in long queues outside the entrances and then strolling through the crowded aisles around the circuit.

After a bright week, the rain spared the traditional parade of pilots on Friday, but it could disrupt the organizers of the animations, concerts and pyrotechnic shows planned.

It will not stop the cars from roaring, under the watchful eye of 2,000 passionate track marshals, but it could disturb the calculations of the teams and increase the risk of incidents and interventions by the safety car.

New this year, there will be only one safety car, instead of three in recent years, which could reshuffle the cards by removing the possible lead of the leaders compared to the competitors who are standing in the same lap of the long circuit of 13.626 km.

Toyota remains the big favourite, having won the first three rounds of the WEC, the World Endurance Championship (Sebring, Portimao and Spa).

Behind the Japanese firm and its Italian competitor, Porsche is in ambush with three 963 prototypes to try to get a 20th success. Peugeot and its two 9x8s, Cadillac and its two prototypes but also Glickenhaus and Vanwall will try to do well.

Alongside them, 24 cars race in the LMP2 category (more standardized and slower prototypes) and 21 in LMGTE Am (driven by amateurs associated with professionals).

© 2023 AFP