The 2025 Hyperpole session at the 24 Hours of Le Mans delivered surprises, and a historic pole position for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, as Alex Lynn stormed to P1 in the #2 V-Series.R with a blistering lap of 3:23.166. Text: Luca W. ©. Images: 24h-lemans, FIA WEC ©
This year’s Hyperpole format received a major overhaul, now closer to Formula 1-style qualifying. The H1 session featured the top 15 Hypercars from Wednesday’s qualifying, with the fastest 10 advancing to H2, the decisive run for pole and the front five rows of Sunday’s starting grid.
The revised structure placed even more pressure on drivers to deliver in a limited time window.
Ferrari and Toyota stumble early
Two major favorites Ferrari’s #51 and #83 499P Hypercars failed to progress from H1, despite dominating earlier in the week and throughout the WEC season. A surprise elimination, and one that will leave respective teams with work to do in the race.
Another dramatic moment came from Sebastien Buemi, who locked up under braking at Mulsanne in the #8 Toyota GR010, ending any hope of progressing it seems.
Porsche and Cadillac rise to the top
In H1, Porsche Penske Motorsport set the early pace, with the #5 and #4 963s at the top of the timesheet. But Cadillac quickly showed its hand. In his first push lap in H2, Alex Lynn in the #2 Cadillac split the two Porsches.
Then, on his final flying lap, Lynn delivered a stunning 3:23.166: 0.309s faster than his previous attempt, putting Cadillac on provisional pole.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. Fellow Cadillac driver Earl Bamber, in the privateer #38 V-Series.R, jumped to second place in the final moments, locking out the front row for Cadillac. This is the first time in history that Cadillac will start on pole for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Further down, the #50 Ferrari 499P proved to be the fastest non-LMDh car – intriguing, right – , securing 7th place and outperforming other LMH entries.
2025 Le Mans 24 Hours Hyperpole results
| Pos. | Manufacturer & Car | N° | Team | Best lap | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |   | #12 | CADILLAC HERTZ TEAM JOTA | 3:23.166 | – |
| 2 |  | #38 | CADILLAC HERTZ TEAM JOTA | 3:23.333 | +0.167 |
| 3 |   | #5 | PORSCHE PENSKE MOTORSPORT | 3:23.475 | +0.309 |
| 4 |   | #15 | BMW M TEAM WRT | 3:23.659 | +0.493 |
| 5 |  | #4 | PORSCHE PENSKE MOTORSPORT | 3:23.983 | +0.817 |
| 6 |  | #20 | BMW M TEAM WRT | 3:24.009 | +0.843 |
| 7 |   | #50 | FERRARI AF CORSE | 3:24.213 | +1.047 |
| 8 |  | #311 | CADILLAC WHELEN | 3:24.380 | +1.214 |
| 9 |   | #36 | ALPINE ENDURANCE TEAM | 3:24.398 | +1.232 |
| 10 |   | #8 | TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | – |