Used to traveling on the Le Mans circuit at the start of the summer, fans of the legendary 24-hour race will meet this time in the middle of August. Health situation requires, the organization had to adapt to carry out this 89th edition. In addition to the return of some spectators, these 24 Hours include some new features including the introduction of the Hypercar category, the new queen event. Start of the race this Saturday at 4 p.m.!
50,000 spectators expected
After a 2020 edition behind closed doors, spectators return to the area around the legendary Sarthe circuit this weekend. The gauge remains limited, with only 20% of the usual number of authorized spectators (around 250,000 in normal times). “Last year, we were in camera and it was a real heartbreak,” says organizer Pierre Fillon. “Le Mans is a great race, but above all it’s a great popular celebration. Without spectators, it was quite hard, even if it was absolutely necessary to organize it last year to keep the teams alive. “
The pilots will not be accessible, since they must remain in a well-defined health bubble. Access to the paddock is prohibited but “fan zones” have been installed. On the program: giant screens, catering area, children’s area and even the Young Driver’s Criterium. Exit also the traditional concerts or parades of vehicles in the streets of the city. A return to normal is hoped for for the 2022 edition, scheduled for June 11 and 12.
The Hypercar, the new premier class
This is one of the attractions of the weekend: the debut of the Hypercar category. Some specificities: a minimum weight of 1030 kg and a power limited to 500 kW. Five crews are entered. Both Toyotas dominated the opening practice and qualifying and will once again be the vehicles to beat in this edition.
The No. 7 Toyota (Conway-Kobayashi-Lopez) will start from pole position, just ahead of the No. 8 Toyota (Buemi-Nakajima-Hartley). Alpine n ° 36 (Negrao-Lapierre-Vaxivière) is third on the starting grid. Finally follow the two Glickenhaus. If victory seems promised to one of the two Toyotas, the Alpine hopes to resist as well as possible and showed it during the fourth and final free practice session on Thursday, by inserting itself between the two Japanese cars.
About sixty cars at the start
In total, 61 cars are expected to start the race: 5 in Hypercar, 25 in LMP2 (slower prototypes), 8 in LMGTE Pro (derivatives of production sports cars), 23 in LMGTE Am (driven by amateurs for private stables).
This year, we will also note the presence of an “innovative” car, driven by two paraplegic drivers: the Japanese Takuma Aoki and the Belgian Nigel Bailly. In the LMP2 category, we will also find two former Formula 1 drivers. Kevin Magnussen, ex-teammate of Romain Grosjean at Haas, accompanied by his father, Jan.
An LMP2, “Le Mans prototype 2” had to forfeit, after several clashes during testing and overly extensive repairs. This is the n ° 17 of the IDEC Sport team (Dwight Merriman-Ryan Dalziel-Thomas Laurent). The race should normally be held on a dry track, but a few thunderstorms could disrupt the progress of the teams between 3 and 8 p.m. this Saturday.
With Ocon and Alonso as guests
The teams entered will not be the only ones to try their hand on the 24 Hours of Le Mans track. Alpine will also put on a show thanks to the star drivers of his Formula 1 team. Esteban Ocon, who signed the first success of his career at the Hungarian Grand Prix a few weeks ago, and his teammate Fernando Alonso will be followed in raising curtain of the test.
Earlier in the week, the “Fun Cup” will have allowed several personalities to test themselves: singer Claudio Capéo or even humorist Arnaud Tsamère.
