
10 things we've learned from the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours so far
The new dawn for the World Endurance Championship has arrived at Le Mans, as Hypercars prepare to duel for victory in the world's oldest endurance race. Autosport picks out the 10 things we have learned in the build up to the race.
Toyota starts this year's race on pole after a blistering Hyperpole effort from Kamui Kobayashi, but its opponents can't be totally discounted, while privateer entry HubAuto will hope its shock pole in the GTE Pro class is no flash in the pan as it prepares to take on the factories.
With the usual flurry of announcements from organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's traditional Friday press conference, there have also been plenty of revelations about the future direction of sportscar racing at Le Mans.

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
More from Gary Watkins

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