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What is the difference between Le Mans and Grand Prix racing?

Some events are grand prix some are le mans, whats the difference and whats the origin of the words?

Public Comments

1. . 22 hours. An F1 race is run over a maximum period of 2 hours. Le Mans was originally a race in France held over a 24 hour period. Effectively F1 is a sprint, whereas Le Mans is an endurance event. EDIT: nice one Jenk, very thorough. @Jeff Gordon's Gay "LeMons"? Maybe you should learn to spell or you'll look like a right Mons Pubis!! :) .
2. La Mans is an endurance race, more than likely to last 24+ hours. Grand Prix is not as long.
3. Formula 1 Grand Prix races consist of open-wheeled cars competing in races over a certain number of laps, that last around 2 hours. Formula 1 cars are the fastest cars in the world around a racing circuit. 'Le Mans' is a race held in Le Mans, France each year, but can also be used to refer to other races and championships held around the world based on the Le Mans race (such as the popular American LeMans series). Le Mans racing is endurance racing, usually lasting 12hrs-24hrs (the LeMans race is always 24hrs). Unlike F1, different types of cars compete in a race. These 'classes' usually consist of conventional GT cars that are race versions of roadcars (such as the Ferrari F430) and prototype cars. Prototype cars are the fastest class in LeMans. They consist of cars that are slightly similar in appearance to F1 cars, but their wheels are covered rather than exposed. They look this way mainly because they are designed purely for racing like F1 cars, and do not sacrifice performance in their design in order to be used on the road. However, there are a great deal of differences with the cars. Mainly, LeMans prototypes are designed to last over a long distance so must sacrifice performance for durability. F1 cars are designed for all out attack. LeMans cars are not open wheeled. This does not allow them to have as advanced suspension possibilities as an F1 car. It does however allow the wheels to be covered which greatly reduces drag and increases grip and top speed. An F1 car is faster than a Lemans car, but a LeMans prototype is no slouch and it is thought on high speed tracks where top speed is vital a good prototype LeMans such as an Audi or Peugeot car would give and F1 car a run for its money. Driving in both Lemans and a Grand Prix event differs also. In an F1 race, a driver pushes to the absolute limit to win. He may conserve his tyres and brakes a little bit during the race, or back off a little if the car is damaged but his mentallity is 'all out'. In LeMans, a driver must think much more tactically. He is driving in an endurance race. He must look after his brakes, his tyres, engine, gearbox, suspension and be weary of general mechanical wear. It is common for a LeMans driver to in fact not drive as fast as he can, to save his tyres, and then when he really needs to push he then drives at the limit. It is well documented that when F1 drivers compete in the LeMans race, they can often set very fast lap times but destroy the car and tyres through wear. This is because they are not used to being so conscious about looking after the car.
4. I'd rather watch LeMons racing instead.
5. grand prix is a type of race usually a road course around 1000 km, \ indy cars race at the grand prix of long beach, all f1 races are grand prix, and yes some american le mans races are grand prix, the word grand prix is french for grand prize and comes from a horse race around 1863, the american le mans series and the european lemans series are racing series that evolved from the 24 huers du mans, THE 24 hour endurance race, and probably the single biggest race of the year, its hard for a company to justify the millions spent on their le mans programs for one single race, and it is also hard to run 10-15 true endurance races so the series take on 4 hour mini enduro races and varoius grand prix races