The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans delivered everything endurance racing fans could have hoped for: relentless battles, late-race drama, mechanical heartbreak, and a historic Toyota triumph. But for Formula 1 followers, the race offered an additional storyline — a remarkable showcase from some of the sport’s former stars.

A total of 16 former Formula 1 drivers lined up across multiple classes at Le Mans, proving once again that the legendary endurance race remains one of motorsport’s greatest destinations for drivers seeking success beyond the Grand Prix paddock.

By the end of 24 grueling hours, several former F1 names were celebrating on the podium, while others were left wondering what might have been.

TOYOTA RETURNS TO THE TOP AT LE MANS

Toyota entered the 2026 edition under significant pressure.

After years of dominance earlier in the decade, the Japanese manufacturer had watched rivals close the gap, with Ferrari, Cadillac, BMW, and others transforming the Hypercar category into one of the most competitive eras in Le Mans history.

The No. 7 Toyota crew ultimately emerged victorious after surviving an eventful race that included a puncture, technical concerns, and constant pressure from rival manufacturers.

Former Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi played a major role in the victory. The Japanese racer demonstrated the same determination and racecraft that made him a fan favorite during his F1 career, helping Toyota secure its sixth overall Le Mans victory and its first since 2022.

Alongside Kobayashi was another former Grand Prix driver, Nyck de Vries, who celebrated his maiden Le Mans triumph after years of pursuing success across multiple racing disciplines.

For both drivers, the victory represents a defining career achievement.

WHY THIS WIN MATTERS FOR TOYOTA

Toyota’s victory is about far more than adding another trophy to its collection.

The Hypercar category has become the battleground for some of the biggest automotive brands in the world. Manufacturers are investing heavily in technology, development, and driver talent as they compete for one of motorsport’s most prestigious prizes.

Winning in such a competitive environment reinforces Toyota’s status as one of endurance racing’s benchmark organizations.

The victory also arrives at an important time. With manufacturers like Ferrari, Cadillac, BMW, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Genesis continuing to increase their commitment to endurance racing, Toyota needed a statement performance to remind everyone that it remains a championship contender.

Le Mans provided exactly that statement.

FORMER F1 DRIVERS DOMINATE THE PODIUM

The influence of former Formula 1 talent was evident throughout the race.

Toyota’s sister No. 8 entry finished third overall, giving former F1 drivers Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley another Le Mans podium to add to their already impressive résumés.

The result means four former Formula 1 drivers stood on the Hypercar podium.

That statistic highlights an increasingly common trend in modern endurance racing. Many drivers who leave Formula 1 discover that Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship offer opportunities to build equally impressive legacies.

For Buemi and Hartley, both already multiple-time endurance champions, another podium further strengthens their reputation as two of the most successful crossover drivers of their generation.

CADILLAC’S BREAKTHROUGH FALLS JUST SHORT

One of the strongest stories of the weekend came from Cadillac.

The American manufacturer entered Le Mans with genuine ambitions of victory and spent much of the race fighting near the front.

Former Caterham F1 driver Will Stevens helped guide the No. 12 Jota Cadillac to fourth place overall, narrowly missing a podium finish by less than 12 seconds after 24 hours of racing.

The result may feel disappointing given how close Cadillac came, but it also signals something significant.

Cadillac is no longer merely participating at Le Mans.

It is competing for victories.

With Formula 1 plans already underway and its endurance program growing stronger, Cadillac continues to establish itself as a major force in global motorsport.

HEARTBREAK FOR BMW AND GENESIS

Not every former Formula 1 driver enjoyed a successful weekend.

Kevin Magnussen appeared to have a genuine chance of fighting for victory after starting from pole position in the BMW Hypercar. However, technical problems gradually destroyed the team’s challenge before retirement ended its race entirely.

It was a particularly cruel result considering the pace BMW demonstrated throughout practice and qualifying.

Genesis also endured a difficult debut. The No. 17 entry featuring experienced former Formula 1 racer Andre Lotterer failed to reach the finish, cutting short what had been an important milestone event for the ambitious Korean manufacturer.

Both projects nevertheless showed flashes of potential that could make them serious contenders in future editions.

FERRARI’S WINNING STREAK COMES TO AN END

After dominating recent editions of Le Mans, Ferrari arrived hoping to secure a fourth consecutive victory.

Instead, the Italian manufacturer found itself unable to match Toyota’s pace when it mattered most.

Former Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi helped lead Ferrari’s best-performing 499P to fifth place overall, while Robert Kubica and the AF Corse Ferrari squad finished seventh.

For Ferrari, the result is unlikely to trigger panic. The team remains among the strongest organizations in endurance racing and continues to possess one of the fastest Hypercar packages.

However, the outcome demonstrates just how competitive the category has become.

There are no easy victories anymore.

JACK DOOHAN’S LE MANS DEBUT PROVIDES VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

Among the most closely watched newcomers was former Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan.

Competing in the LMP2 category, Doohan showed promising speed early in the race and briefly appeared capable of challenging for a strong finish.

Unfortunately, circumstances over the course of the event pushed his Nielsen Racing entry down the order, resulting in an 18th-place class finish.

Despite the disappointing result, the experience could prove valuable for the young Australian.

Le Mans is widely regarded as one of motorsport’s toughest challenges, and simply completing the event provides lessons that can benefit a driver throughout their career.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF ENDURANCE RACING

The strong presence of former Formula 1 drivers at Le Mans reflects the growing status of endurance racing.

The Hypercar era has transformed the World Endurance Championship into one of the most attractive destinations in motorsport. With multiple manufacturers, elite drivers, and global exposure, the series now offers opportunities comparable to many top-level racing categories.

For former Formula 1 competitors, it represents a chance to continue competing at the highest level while chasing one of the sport’s most prestigious achievements.

For fans, it creates compelling storylines as familiar names battle in a completely different environment.

THE BIGGEST WINNERS FROM LE MANS 2026

Toyota undoubtedly leaves Le Mans as the headline winner.

Kobayashi and de Vries added their names to motorsport history, while Toyota re-established itself as the benchmark in endurance racing.

But the broader winner may be the sport itself.

The combination of manufacturer rivalry, former Formula 1 talent, dramatic racing, and unpredictable outcomes continues to elevate Le Mans to new heights.

If the 2026 edition is any indication, the future of endurance racing has never looked stronger. And with more manufacturers joining the fight, next year’s battle could be even more intense.