For racing drivers, the cockpit is a little like an office – albeit a rather cramped one! As they spend many hours there over the ten days from Scrutineering through to the 24 Hours of Le Mans chequered flag, it’s useful not to suffer from claustrophobia! The steering wheel is the key component in this space. Here, the driver has access to a whole host of data on the engine, chassis and tyres. Knobs and thumb wheels are used to adjust settings such as engine power, traction control or brake pressure proportioning. The most frequently used buttons are the radio (to communicate with the engineers), headlight flashers, windscreen wipers and the speed limiter (switched on in the pit lane). The steering wheel must have an ergonomic design to enable the driver to use the buttons safely at over 300 kph, at night and, potentially, in the wet. For the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the racers have a small tool kit on board with them for emergency repairs (while on the service roads). They also have a mobile phone to contact the team in case of radio or car battery failure.

You can read more about the subject in these five insights into the cockpit experience

The video below from the Alpine Elf Team’s onboard camera illustrate the driver’s work at the wheel through a lap of the legendary Le Mans circuit.

Check out more onboard videos on the 24 Hours of Le Mans YouTube channel.