Motor racing-Toyota lead 24 Hours of Le Mans one-two from pole start

Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi started from pole position in the eight car before Britain's Mike Conway took over at the front on 45 minutes in the number seven after the first pitstops. Conway, who won last year with Japan's Kamui Kobayashi and Argentine Jose Maria Lopez, was 19 seconds clear at the two hour mark.

Champions Toyota led the 24 Hours of Le Mans in one-two formation on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Sarthe circuit, with the number seven and eight hypercars swapping the lead in the opening hours. Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi started from pole position in the eight car before Britain's Mike Conway took over at the front on 45 minutes in the number seven after the first pitstops.

Conway, who won last year with Japan's Kamui Kobayashi and Argentine Jose Maria Lopez, was 19 seconds clear at the two hour mark. Buemi shares his car with New Zealander Brendon Hartley and Japan's Ryo Hirokawa. Three second tier LMP2 cars were involved in a collision at the first corner, with the number 22 United Autosports car driven by American Will Owen having to be lifted out of the gravel before re-joining.

The 90th edition of the race started in front of packed grandstands with the 62-strong field formally sent on their way by TotalEnergies chairman Patrick Pouyanne. The field included the youngest ever competitor, 16-year-old American Josh Pierson with United Autosports in the second tier LMP2 category, and German-Irish Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender at the wheel of a Porsche 911.

Several ex-Formula One drivers are taking part along with reigning Formula E champion Nyck de Vries, a late replacement for Philippe Cimadomo after the 62-year-old Frenchman was excluded after repeat crashes. Stewards said Cimadomo was a concern "for the safety of himself and other competitors".

Former Le Mans winners Gerard Larrousse, 82, and Henri Pescarolo, 79, earlier took to the track in Matra cars to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the French marque's first Le Mans victory. There was also a pre-race lap of honour by the electric-hydrogen H24 prototype.

The entire field is running with a 100% renewable fuel for the first time. The endurance race, which will celebrate its centenary next year, ends at 1400GMT on Sunday.