24h Le Mans
Smells are a big part of the creation of lifelong memories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for both competitors and spectators. Every sector of the circuit, every in-race development carry with them their own unique scents. Here is an olfactory journey through the different smells that bolster the greatest endurance race in the world.
Attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans in person is to immerse oneself in a world full of sensations. Along with sight and hearing, smell is a sense that allows memories to take root. The permeating aromas indicate heatwaves, failed engines, brakes used to the extreme and celebratory moments, as well as the fresh local air.
Kenji Concy, Ferrari AF Corse mechanic, spends long hours in the #51 Ferrari 499P garage. Here he describes with precision the smells that always surround him: What I perceive the most is heated rubber. And also petrol, but that one is more faint. The odor of hot brakes is omnipresent especially during refuellings. And then there is the smell of early morning, with the fresh and humid air thatcontrasts with the pasta dishes or croissants delivered to the back of the garage.
Certain smells are also valuable indicators, like an unusual oil odor signalling a serious problem. If we notice the smell of oil, it means the car has a problem. I would go so far as to say if it's in the air, it's already too late. The mechanic (responsible for tyre changes during pit stops) notes, however, that mechanical wear does not really have an olfactory signature. The cars are equipped with parts manufacturered to withstand the demands of a 24-hour race.
Scents help fans create unforgettable memories. Maxime, who was only four when she attended her first 24 Hours of Le Mans, associates the odor of a flat tyre with a critical moment. It makes me think of the 2017 battle in LMGTE Pro between the #97 Aston Martin Vantage and #63 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. It was in the last laps of the race and one of the American GT's tyres exploded.
Another fan, Lucas, associates the race with poutine, a Quebec dish he originally tasted at the circuit. The smell of poutine immediately makes me think of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sarah, a first-time spectator in 2022, remembers comfort-food churros during rain downpours.
Each sector of the circuit brings with it its own special aromas. Maxime believes the food vendors definitely contribute to a festive atmosphere. You feel the buzz of activity and that the event is really kicking off. In the paddock, the smell of meals cooked for the teams mixes with that of new tyres, a particular scent that future car mechanic Mattias loves. Like when you go to a mountain tyre workshop. For Sarah, the wooded areas around the Mulsanne and Indianapolis corners are reminiscent of the Landes forests. The smell of pines and freshly cut grass mowed before Test Day add a rustic touch.
Smells amp up the intensity of the race. Maxime agrees that some, like burnt rubber or hard braking, amplify the tension. If I detect a suspicious odor, right away I want to know which car is concerned and how that will affect the race. Mattias says that even natural elements, like humidity announcing rain, add a dramatic dimension. When you pick up on that kind of smell, you know everything can change.
Lucas tops off this study with an excellent conclusion: there is nothing like the scent of Champagne raining down on the podium. It's the last major smell memory we take with us.
The smells at the 24 Hours of Le Mans are no small detail, they tell the whole story. They capture the race's energy and humanity, whether it's the smell of overheated tires or brakes that underscore mechanical efforts, the food aromas that bring people together or the fresh air of the forest, each fragrance is a piece of the puzzle that fuels the spirit of this legendary event.
