The longest day

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race that is beyond legendary, for the human and sporting endeavours that it has seen, for the passion that pervades every curve and corner of the Circuit de la Sarthe, and for the immense degree of stress to which both the drivers and the cars are subjected. Twenty-four hours of racing, a long wait, a year of preparation. This is Le Mans. It's a relentless effort, not only on the track but also in the garage and behind the pits.

The engineers continuously analyse the telemetry data while the mechanics prepare the tools required for the pit stops that occur according to a pre-established schedule. Everyone knows exactly what they are doing, because even though the race lasts 24 hours, every second lost on the track or in the pits is a second further away from success.

Fatigue builds, as is normal after hour upon hour of racing, but the preparation, tenacity and determination of those involved enables them to overcome these challenging moments. Even when exhaustion threatens to overcome them, a radio call is all it takes to get everyone back on their feet and ready, in their respective places, waiting for the car.

The graphs and numbers created using the telematic data continue to flow without pause, communications between the pit crew and the driver provide the 24-hour soundtrack to the event, as everyone waits for the chequered flag to fall over a line that always seems out of reach. And yet, as has been the case for the last eighty-seven years, the magic is still very much present, and for many, dreams of the next edition begin to take shape as soon as that finish line is crossed.