24h Le Mans
Rescheduled from 13–14 June to 19–20 September, the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place behind closed doors. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has favoured postponement over cancellation from the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic while, for the 59 team entries involved, it is crucial that the race go ahead.
This is not the first time the 24 Hours of Le Mans has not been not run in June. The first race, in 1923, took place in May, then in 1956 the race was run on 28–29 July because of works, and in 1968 it was postponed to September due to civil unrest.
The 88th race will also take place in September and – for the first time ever – with no trackside spectators. The other major difference is the change in daylight hours. In September, almost half the race will be during the hours of darkness. This parameter may influence team strategy but does nothing to deter competitors from their annual outing on the famous 13-kilometre circuit.
Philippe Sinault, team manager of Signatech Alpine Elf, winner of the LMP2 class last year and also responsible for the all-women Richard Mille Racing Team emphasises the importance of the race: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans had to go ahead. This iconic race is vital to the future of our sport, our discipline, to our technological fields and to our companies. If the 24 Hours of Le Mans is cancelled, even once, it upsets the balance in the World Championship and the sport itself.”
Hisatake Murata, Team President, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, winner in 2018 and 2019: “The Le Mans 24 Hours is the highlight of our WEC year; it is our main target and always our biggest challenge. We are proud to be preparing for this race as two-time winners and we are giving everything to win a third consecutive Le Mans for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, with our team members in Japan and Germany working flat-out together, as one team, to achieve our dream. This team spirit of one for all, all for one is so important to take on the special challenge of Le Mans. Normally we look forward to sharing this challenge with the fans at the circuit, who are so passionate about endurance racing and they create a unique atmosphere. We will miss them this year, so it will be a very unusual edition but we all understand the reasons. We are grateful to the ACO for overcoming the difficult circumstances and giving us the opportunity to share the spirit of Le Mans once again. Although they cannot join us at the track, I hope we can be part of a Le Mans 24 Hours to remember for all the fans at home.”
Amato Ferrari, owner of AF Corse, last year’s LMGTE Pro winner: "lt’s important that the race takes place to send out a positive message, to show that we need to keep motorsport alive. Even behind closed doors, thousands of fans around the world will be watching on TV, online, on all sorts of devices. Thanks to expert, responsible organisation, we know we will be protected on site and that everything has been done to ensure our health and safety. We all follow the rules very strictly because we know how important it is to protect our families and our jobs. Nobody will be taking any risks.With adequate protection – thanks to the organisers – we can carry on working until conditions are back to normal."
