TEST DAY

Sunday 4 June

It’s straight in at the deep end! This is a day of free practice sessions where drivers get their first chance to take their cars out and familiarise themselves with the iconic Le Mans circuit. The day is now mandatory for all competitors (drivers and cars) entered for the race. To comply with safety regulations, drivers who have never taken part or those who have not featured on the list of confirmed entrants since 2011 have to undergo training on an ACO-approved simulator. Only those who reach the highest standards will be allowed to compete.

 

RACE WEEK

Sunday 11 and Monday 12 June: scrutineering and drivers’ hand prints ceremony

The first big public event 
On Sunday 12 and Monday 13 June, all the teams undergo the required technical and administrative checks. This is a mandatory step but also a celebration much appreciated by the fans and teams. Scrutineering – the term used since motor racing’s earliest days – takes place on Place de la République in the centre of Le Mans. All the cars and their drivers have to go before the marshals who make sure that they comply with the regulations.
The cars are measured (length, width, overhang, wheel base, rear wing height, fairing, etc.) then raised so that they can be inspected underneath. Then the bodywork is partially removed. The drivers also undergo a series of checks, from their licenses to their helmets and suits, to make sure everything complies with FIA standards. Finally, they step on to the scales – just like the cars – to establish the teams’ average weight.
This is a truly popular occasion, open to all and really encourages fans and teams to come together, kicking off a week of motoring events and celebrations.

Hall of Fame -Drivers’ hand prints ceremony
Tradition has it that every driver who wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans has their hands cast in plaster after the race. That cast is then used to make a bronze plaque bearing the hand prints, the winning drivers’ names and the date of their victory. The next year, the celebratory plaque is set in the pavement in the centre of Le Mans. 

Tuesday 13 June: Drivers’ autograph session

Once the drivers are caught up in the commotion of the race, they are out of reach for the fans, but a few days ahead of the event, they set some time aside for the public. At 5 p.m. on Tuesday 13 June, the pit lane will be opened up and spectators invited in. This is a great opportunity to get a peek behind the scenes, as people often say “races can be won or lost in the pits”. It is also a chance to chat with the competitors in this year’s race and take away some great memories, autographs and photos. It is a warm and friendly occasion proving that Le Mans and its race are still all about sharing the passion.
 

Wednesday 14 June: Free practice and qualifying

16:00–20:00 – free practice
This is where it all begins. Free practice gets underway from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. This is a chance for teams to rack up a few laps, get to know the track inside out and tweak their cars’ settings.
The teams go all out but as the session does not count towards qualifying, they are often tempted to try out different configurations – more or less successfully, but usually with some spectacular scenes for the spectators.

22:00 – midnight: qualifying
During the second session of the day – the first night-time tests – the pressure is turned up a notch. The stopwatch is now the only judge of the teams’ performance and it is ruthless: every tenth of a second counts and can make a clear difference on the starting grid. If the weather is fine, it is a good opportunity to clock some good lap times, without worrying what the next day’s qualifying will bring. All drivers are required to cover at least five night laps during qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thursday 15 June: More qualifying

There are two qualifying sessions on the Thursday before the race: the first from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the second from 10 p.m. to midnight. Four hours during which the drivers are up against the clock as they deal with the often variable weather conditions. The pressure really mounts because while a good place on the starting grid is no guarantee of victory, it is decisive to the teams’ and drivers’ confidence levels.

 

Friday 16 June: Pit walk 

10:00-20:00: Pit walk

The calm before the storm... On the eve of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the track is really quiet, with none of the cars or drivers out. Instead, spectators with ‘general enclosure’ tickets are free to wander around the circuit, from the pit straight along the first bends up to the Dunlop bridge. The pits are also open, with plenty to see as the drivers and teams are busy making the final adjustments to their cars.

Early evening: Drivers’ Parade

The Drivers’ Parade is now a tradition. Organised by Classic Automotive in association with Automobile Club de l’Ouest, much to the fans’ delight, competitors in the 24 Hours of Le Mans travel the streets of Le Mans on-board a series of vintage cars that recall the heritage and long-standing popularity of the race. A wonderful show, not to be missed!

 

RACE DAY

Saturday 17June 
9:00 – 9:45: warm-up

It’s the big day at last! There are now just a few hours to go until the flag goes down to start the 85th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There is one final practice session early in the morning, the 45-minute warm-up. Here, teams will give their cars a few final tweaks, adapting them to weather conditions on the day.

15:00 The Start

The last few minutes before the start are spent briefing the drivers and presenting the cars. Then out comes the Grand Marshal: since 2013, this is the title given to the ambassador selected to represent the race’s founding values during race week. The Grand Marshal also has the honour of driving the pace car in front of competitors during the formation lap. After Henri Pescarolo, Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen, Alexander Wurz was Grand Marshal in 2016. Another personality in the spotlight is the official starter, whose job it is to lower the flag to unleash the cars. This year, this role went to none other than Hollywood actor Brad Pitt! 

 

So what are you waiting for? Make sure you get your tickets for next year’s race to be held on 17 and 18 June!