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 Sébastien Buemi, who started on the second row, quickly took the lead and widened the gap from the start of the first safety car.

Behind, the battle for second place raged between the two Ferraris N.50 and N.51 and the Toyota N.7, sister and sole rival of the N.8 for the past five years, while the three 963 prototypes followed, wheel in wheel.

Between overtaking and pit stops, the positions changed a lot in the following hour but all the cars remained in the game. The Cadillac N.3 driven by Sébastien Bourdais, a time at the front, had to return to the pits due to damage.

Despite some isolated showers before the start, the track remained dry. But the weather forecast still mentioned a risk of severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon or early evening.

1923 replica

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.

The star player of the NBA club Los Angeles Lakers, the American LeBron James, gave the start of the 100th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 10, 2023 © Jean-Francois MONIER / AFP

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

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," said the Monegasque. "Le Mans is a race I've always watched, it's always made me dream, why not one day..."

All morning, spectators flocked, waiting in long queues outside the entrances and then strolling through the crowded aisles around the circuit. Some 300,000 people were expected.

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

Toyota favorite

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.

The Ferrari N.50 and N.51 started from pole position in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 10, 2023 © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

Thanks to changes to the regulations that now allow the same cars to race in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the American IMSA Championship, Porsche, Cadillac, Peugeot and especially Ferrari, absent for fifty years, are back at Le Mans, waiting for Alpine, BMW or Lamborghini next year.

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

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 prevent the cars from roaring, under the watchful eye of 2,000 passionate track marshals, but can 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.

© 2023 AFP