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Who will win Le Mans?

Audi, Toyota and returnee Porsche are days away from contesting the most highly anticipated Le Mans 24 Hours in recent memory. GARY WATKINS assesses the 'Big Three'

Porsche is back at the sharp end of the Le Mans 24 Hours grid, and Toyota returns with its most concerted assault yet since rejoining the prototype ranks in 2012. They are both attempting to end a run of Le Mans victories for Audi - a marque that's so far struggled in this year's World Endurance Championship - that stretches back to 2010.

That's why Le Mans this year is the most eagerly anticipated in years.

New rules for the LMP1 category, based on energy consumption, were crucial in tempting Porsche back for the first time since 1998, but they are also going to play a central role in this year's French showpiece. The playing field in the diesel versus petrol battle has finally been levelled, though the debate over the regulations isn't entirely over.

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Author Gary Watkins

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.