The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans saw Corvette return to the top step of the podium with the #33 Z06 GT3.R.
Following an outstanding performance at the Circuit de La Sarthe, the #33 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R driven by Ben Keating, Nicky Catsburg and Jonny Edgar rose through the running order to secure a historic 10th GT-class victory for the brand. A quartet of Z06 GT3.R racers were entered into the 94th running of the world’s greatest endurance race, but had their work cut out for them as the action got underway on Saturday afternoon.
None of the four cars made it through to the final stages of qualifying, but that’s seldom been an issue for Corvettes at Le Mans. Starting from 17th in class, the #33 began hunting down the leaders of the LMGT3 category, knowing that nothing short of a perfect race had to be run.
At Le Mans, three drivers share each car, and each car requires multiple refuelling and tyre changes to make it to the end of the race. As tyres can’t be changed while the car is refuelling, there’s time to be saved by double or triple-stinting the tyres, and only stopping for fuel where possible. With the Corvette Z06 GT3.R renowned for being gentle on its rubber, this allowed driver Ben Keating to keep a consistently high pace in the early stages of the race.
This elevated the #33 to the middle of the LMGT3 field, before Keating handed over the car to Nicky Catsburg in the fourth hour. The 24 Hours of Le Mans features three classes: LMGT3, LMP2 and Hypercar, meaning multiple races are taking place simultaneously. As well as fighting for their own positions, the LMGT3s have to be aware of faster traffic coming through, and ensure they’re never putting a foot – or a tyre – in the wrong place. Catsburg followed the brief to the letter, keeping the car out of trouble as other competitors began to bang bodywork and make mistakes.
With evening approaching, the #33 had firmly established itself within the top 10, and avoided picking up any time penalties in the first Safety Car and Full Course Yellow (FCY) periods. The yellow Corvette had revelled in the hot daytime temperatures but improved further at night, beginning to take the class lead at the end of its stints. As the race passed the halfway mark, the car put a firm grip on first place and maintained this through the night.
Dawn broke with the #33 enjoying a comfortable margin over the pre-race favourites from Aston Martin and Lexus, and led 75 laps in a row. The car only relinquished the lead momentarily as the pit stop schedules played out, and returned to the front of the field as the race entered its final stages. Jonny Edgar was initially meant to be at the wheel for a triple-stint, but favourable tyre performance meant he stayed aboard until the end.
As the fierce battle for second and third place in class continued behind, the #33 continued to run flawlessly to its own relentless rhythm, and took the chequered flag in first place after completing 336 laps. This marked a historic 10th GT-class triumph for Corvette, and the first for the Corvette Z06.R GT3. Nicky Catsburg and Ben Keating – who’d only just recovered from a broken elbow – scored their second Le Mans wins at the wheel of a Corvette, while Jonny Edgar climbed to the top step of the podium for the first time.
This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans was a stand-out performance for the TF Sport crew, who echoed previous Corvette Racing class wins by focusing on race pace and strategy to get to the sharp end of the field, rather than banking on a strong qualifying performance. One-lap speed is important, but the way to win at the Circuit de La Sarthe is to minimise the time spent in the pits, and maximise the pace across multiple stints on worn tyres. That’s exactly what the #33 did as it battled from 17th place to 1st over the course of 24 gruelling hours at Le Mans.
Now, at Grange Corvette Birmingham, you can discover Le Mans-winning performance for yourself with the Corvette Z06. Enjoy thrilling performance from the 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8, and experience race-proven handling dynamics behind the wheel. Get in touch with our dedicated team today to find out more, arrange your test drive, and place your order.
Statistics: Corvette at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans
Class entered: LMGT3
Cars entered: #2, #13, #33, #34
LMGT3 class-winning car: #33 TF Sport
LMGT3 class-winning drivers: Ben Keating, Nicky Catsburg, Jonny Edgar
Laps / distance completed: 336 laps / 2,844.85 miles
Total laps led: 154
#33 fastest race lap: 3:54.592
#33 average speed: 129.92mph
