24h Le Mans
Twenty-nine cars – almost half the grid – including all LMP1s and the whole LMGTE Pro field (bar the #95 and #97 Aston Martin Vantages) were shod with Michelin tyres at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Tyres are one of the key elements in endurance racing. It takes around 25 seconds to change the four tyres, which is why teams want them to last as long as possible, especially since the sporting regulations limit the number of sets available. This year, the French manufacturer brought almost 5000 tyres to Le Mans.
Video: YouTube – FIA WEC
Michelin tyres at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – Facts & figures
2... classes won by Michelin: LMP1 (#2 Porsche 919 Hybrid) and LMGTE Am (#84 Ferrari 488 GTE of JMW Motorsport).
3... the tyres withstand 3G on decelerating from 320 kph to 110 kph in around 400 m at the Michelin Chicane.
10... sets of Michelin slicks used by the #2 Porsche.
20... Michelin scored a record twentieth straight Le Mans win since 1998.
27... Slow Zone periods.
27... the lowest track temperature in degrees Celsius during this year’s race (the highest was 39°C).
41… revolutions per second was the speed achieved by a tyre mounted on an LMP1 Hybrid travelling at 330 kph during Test Day.
46... different drivers have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Michelin rubber since 1923.
56... the position in which the winning #2 Porsche 919 Hybrid rejoined the race after spending 65 minutes in its garage in the early part of the race.
65… laps with the same set of tyres, equating to five stints, is what Michelin offers its LMP1 partners.
166... laps spent in the lead by the #1 Porsche 919 Hybrid.
241... laps with the LMGTE Am-winning #84 Ferrari in first place in its class.
251.88... the average speed in kph of the #7 Toyota TS050 HYBRID during Kobayashi’s pole-winning lap in qualifying.
340.2.... the highest speed (in kph) reached during the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours (#4 Enso CLM P1/01).
655... km (48 laps) covered by a single set of Michelin tyres on the #17 Ligier JS P217 – Gibson of Idec Sport Racing.
900... meals served to Michelin staff during Le Mans week.
2,450... Michelin tyres used during race week and Test Day.
5,001.23... km covered by the #2 Porsche 919 Hybrid.
6,138... wheel rotations during the #7 Toyota TS050 HYBRID’s record-breaking lap (3:14.791).
13,000... Michelin caps handed out in the Race Village.
Figures from the official Michelin website.
