24h Le Mans
Hawk-eyed pit marshals have been surveying every move in team garages since the first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923. Since then, race strategies have evolved and cars have become increasingly sophisticated, particularly since the inception of the World Endurance Championship in 2012, and although the pit marshals’ legendary diligence has never waned, their task is now more exacting than ever.
With the increasing sophistication prevalent in top-flight motor racing, the building of new garages in the early 1990s and the introduction of the world championship, the role of the pit marshals has evolved considerably. Now that so many race incidents occur in the pits, their expertise is crucial.
In a 24-hour race, the most powerful cars enter the pits (for less than a minute) around thirty times, with a head-spinning number of points coming under scrutiny at every pit stop. Compliance with race regulations and safety standards is paramount and nothing is left to chance. In the event of a dispute, race officials may use images from the pits to rule on a case.
Pit marshals now wear fire suits and helmets and keep a watchful eye over every refuelling operation, making a note of who does what. Their job actually begins before Test Day, two weeks ahead of the race, when they help fit out the garages and inspect the gantries above each car’s refuelling zone. Marshals Dominique Besnard and Dominique Gaigeot, who also work for the World Endurance Championship, the Asian Le Mans Series and the European Le Mans Series, are highly respected for their contribution, which is decisive in validating any victory.
Expressed in units of time, the garage technicians’ work is just as important to the drivers’ performance, and strategy is crucial: at the 24 Hours, the old adage says that the winning team will be the one having made the least stops. In 2016, Toyota chalked up fourteen laps per stint compared to thirteen for Porsche. The German squad were thus forced to rethink their strategy on pit stops and tyre changes (every four stints, compared to every three for Toyota) two-thirds of the way into the race to make up the two-stop difference over 24 hours. Unfortunately, as we all know, things still didn’t go Toyota’s way.
Other instalments in our series on the 24 Hours of Le Mans pit marshals:
Pit marshals (1) - Trail blazers
