Despite the sectioning of the Mulsanne Straight in 1990, the Le Mans circuit remains a track of speed, with five portions in excess of 300 km/h. The finesse of the aerodynamics and speed of the engine are two elements with which to take great care.

On paper – and according to official sources – the Toyota is the most powerful car at the start this year. With 1,000 hp under the hood (500 for the thermal engine and 500 for the electric engine), the TS050 Hybrid comes in ahead of the Porsche 919 Hybrid with 900 hp, then the LMP2s, powered by the same 4.2-liter V8 Gibson with 600 hp. Yet, the speeds recorded at Test Day tell another story: the Toyota finished 14th, surpassed by more than 10 km/h by a Dallara, less powerful by 400 hp!

How can this discrepancy be explained? Official Toyota driver Stéphane Sarrazin breaks it down:"It's actually very simple. Traditionally, the data is always taken at the same spot, just before the first Mulsanne chicane. Since we have begun using hybrid engines, we take our foot off the accelerator 300 meters from the turn to recharge our batteries. So, we've already lost speed when we pass in front of the radar. On the other hand, the LMP2s (no hybrid system, Ed.) brake 100 meters from the turn and are still going at top speed when passing the radar. If that weren't the case, we'd undoubtedly be slightly faster. But more so than our top speed, it's our ability to reach it that makes the difference."

How can an LMP2 driver avoid contact with an LMP1 unexpectely slowing down ahead of him? The answer is in Article 10.3.2 of the hybrid LMP1 regulations: a flashing "Stop" signal shall be activated if the acceleration loss is greater than 0.4 g in 0.2 seconds for at least 0.2 seconds.

"These signals are enough to alert us," confirms Emmanuel Collard, driver of TDS Racing's Oreca in LMP2. "When that happens, we have two options. Either overtake the braking LMP1, or remain behind. Personally, I prefer to keep my position. It helps to avoid bothering the LMP1 prototype when it accelerates and, especially, it allows us to save a bit of fuel. Everyone is looking to minimuze fuel consumption, not such those driving the hybrid cars."

PHOTO: The LMP2s (Alpine pictured) ahead of the LMP1s on the official top speed timesheets.