Le Mans Practice Halted After Intense Mercedes Crash

A dramatic start to the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans unfolded during the first official practice session of 2025. Action on the track was halted just over 75 minutes in, after a heavy crash involving the #63 Iron Lynx Mercedes LMGT3 at the second corner.

The incident resulted in the first red flag of the event, with significant damage reported to the front of the Mercedes. Safety crews responded rapidly, dispatching the medical car to the scene and overseeing the safe removal of the stricken vehicle.

No additional injuries were reported, but the stoppage meant cars lost almost 10 minutes of valuable track time as the session was paused for track clean-up. Before the session was interrupted, competition across all classes was fierce.

The overall timing screen showed the #50 Ferrari setting the pace, holding the lead ahead of both Toyota Hypercars. Teams and drivers were focused on gathering crucial data, and the battle for early supremacy appeared tight among the leading prototypes.

In the LMP2 category, the #16 RLR M Sport entry topped the timesheets at the time of the stoppage, closely followed by the #14 Inter Europol Competition team and the #29 TDS Racing car. Each squad worked through their programs, hoping to maximize every minute on track before qualifying heats up.

Within the LMGT3 class, the #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus was the fastest before the red flag appeared, hanging on to a slim advantage over the #54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari and the #27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin. The session was expected to be key for drivers to find the limits ahead of the demanding 24-hour challenge, especially with mixed weather conditions forecast for the coming days.

For Mercedes and its Iron Lynx entry, recovery operations are now underway, and the team faces a race against time to rebuild before the next practice. Interest in Le Mans remains high, especially with top teams like Toyota, Ferrari, and Porsche present in force this year.

Fans are eager to watch famous drivers compete, and the anticipation has grown as multiple manufacturers return to the World Endurance Championship’s signature event. Last year, the race delivered close competition and unpredictable drama, setting the tone for another intense fight in 2025.

Le Mans always brings the unexpected, but early incidents like the Mercedes crash remind teams and fans how quickly fortunes can change. The focus now shifts to repairing damaged cars and preparing for upcoming practice sessions, as squads fine-tune strategies for what is expected to be another unforgettable running of the 24-hour classic.

Teams will keep a close watch on the night’s practice window, hoping conditions allow them to catch up on lost time and continue preparations without further setbacks. The ongoing rivalry and performance improvements echo similar competitive tensions seen in recent Formula 1 seasons, highlighting how teams constantly push development boundaries (Hamilton responds to Ferrari claims).

Additionally, the presence of legendary drivers and top manufacturers at Le Mans mirrors the intense atmosphere found in prestigious races like Monaco (Sainz F1 Monaco fear), underscoring the high stakes and pressure surrounding endurance racing’s marquee events.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.