Excited by their experience at the wheel of Le Mans prototypes the day before, the jet pilots treated their driver guests like VIPs. On the agenda for their maiden flight, a squadron flight with the takoff and landing of two planes side-by-side, a ground attack simulation whose target was...the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, and an air combat scenario. Plenty of thrills, as described by the starry-eyed 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers as they disembarked from their jet.

Vincent Capillaire
“I admire what these pilots are able to do! When you descend to a low altitude and see the towns fly by, you realize how stunningly fast you're going. Everything must go perfectly, there is no room for error. It is quite physically taxing: one time we experienced 6 Gs and after a few seconds of that, you know it cannot go on...an experience like this, high-level, gives you food for thought and will definitely serve us in our racing careers.”

Christophe Tinseau
“It's an unforgettable experience even though it was very hard for me. After some abrupt directional changes, I felt like I wasn't going to be able to take it very long. The machine's responsiveness to the slightest touch on the stick is impressive. It's also amazing to feel pressed into the seat and not be able to do a thing about it: you cannot hold up your head or your arms. Then I told Commandant Cédric to take things down a notch so I could regroup. It's incredible what these pilots do but it's no career choice for me!”

Marco Sorensen
“I sure admire these pilots! During the combat simulation, I was totally lost even though it was just for fun. I can't imagine what it's like during a real mission. The only calm moments were the takeoff and landing, the rest of the flight was completely crazy. You don't feel the speed when you're up in the clouds but as soon as the pilot touches the stick, you know quickly that you're going very fast. It's an experience that will remain etched in my memory forever!”

Alexander Wurz
“I loved how it felt! When you're in the clouds, you have no point of reference anymore...I didn't even know in which position the plane was. During the combat simulation, I tried to help Officer Designate Pierrick find the other jet but we had experienced such Gs that I had a hard time lifting my head. The acceleration seems a lot like an LM P1 but to endure 6 Gs vertically is really something!”

After such an extraordinary experience, the drivers gathered for a debriefing.

They all had an unforgettable time full of new excitement and intense fun. Mission accomplished at the second edition of Le Mans Passion Share.
 

Hélène DAGOREAU / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO