Between the incomplete collection of French department magnets, a few Polaroids and the fridge’s imposing brand logo, there’s a shopping list. While it might include the essentials to fill the pantry, it’s mostly used to feed the dreams of enthusiasts. “Do a trackday at the Nürburgring”; “Attend the Monaco GP”, “Go to Le Mans for the 24h”… And there could be a box ticked this year. BMW M Motorsport have invited us to follow the race alongside them, for the return of the propeller brand to the world’s most legendary endurance race. As long as there’s a show, rillettes and an exciting race. Welcome to the Sarthe…
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is more than just an endurance race, it’s a true celebration of automotive passion. Beyond the competition, it’s a festival where the atmosphere and events on the bangs of the race are to be experienced. Having heard the stories of our friends who had already been there, we couldn’t wait to get there and not sleep, to make the most of the experience.
A stroll down the pit lane on Friday evening makes you wonder if you’re not witnessing the Tour de France. Pedestrians, runners and cyclists share the 13.6-kilometre trail. Perhaps some are trying to beat the speed record set by Roger Dorchy at 407 km/h in his WM P88 in 1988? Le Mans is a truly special event. Which race gives spectators access to the track? Letting ourselves be carried along by the crowd, we quickly arrive under the arch of the Dunlop bend. This is where the race winner’s trophy is displayed. As a joke, we stick a Machinistic sticker on a vibrator: will it resist?
As we make our way down to the Pitlane, we have a bird’s-eye view of the grandstands, which tomorrow will be full, as they have been every year since 1923. Le Mans is one of the most legendary races, just like the Monaco GP and the Indianapolis 500. In fact, even though many drivers are trying to reach the top step of all these podiums, only Graham Hill holds the Triple Crown. If, like us, you’ve already read Michel Vaillant, it’s certain that the race towards these three victories will echo the first album in the series, Le Grand Défi.
While the pitlane is bustling with activity, to admire the cars up close, we decide to go off on a tangent and return as early as possible on Saturday morning to take advantage of a free zone.
Saturday morning. It’s freezing. We quickly put on warm clothes and set off for the circuit. On the road, we overhear discussions about the weather. It’s sure to rain a lot, which should set the pace for the race. We soon reach the pitlane. The atmosphere is special. In every pit, mechanics are working on the cars, fine-tuning them for the deluge that’s about to hit. Big loudspeakers blare out music, each team with its own style: Phil Collins for Aston Martin, techno for Ferrari… It’s as if we’re at a huge blind test.
In the pits, we see cars with very different styles. It is possible to enter three different categories for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Some of the cars, which outwardly resemble production models, are LMGT3s. These include Aston Martins, Ford Mustangs, Porsche 911 R, Ferrari SF90s and M4 GT3s. Between this category and the premier class are the LMP2s: prototypes with Oreca chassis and powerful Gibson V8 engines. These relic-like cars are a joy to behold, far more analog than Hypercar. As their name suggests, the crème de la crème of the cars entered are speed monsters: hybrid engines, cutting-edge aerodynamics, cutting-edge chassis…
The machines are hired by manufacturers and are veritable rolling laboratories. The Sarthe circuit is a veritable breeding ground for innovation, which has seen the birth of technologies that are now widespread: disc brakes, rims, aerodynamics, radial tires, LED and laser headlights… Racing is not just a way of burning fuel, it’s one of the keys to a cleaner future for the automobile.
At the end of the pitlane, we find ourselves under the Michelin tower. At his feet, the BMW M and Team WRT stands. Racing is so complex, and the cars require such particular organization and know-how, that manufacturers often have no choice but to entrust the keys to their cars to private teams in order to run them properly. After a victory in 1999, with the BMW V12 LMR, and after twenty years away from the premier class, BMW is finally back. Something to delight fans of the brand.
The team entered four cars: two in the Hypercar category, and two others in LMGT3. The team has entered four cars: two in the Hypercar category, and two others in LMGT3. It’s a real pleasure to find a fast beaver with racing decorations. Small preference for #31, with a decoration that reminds us of the M1 Procar BASF and especially the 3.0 CSL Grp.2. UFO. Funny how a decoration can change the look of a car. The #46 car doesn’t adopt its number by chance, as Valentino Rossi will be on board; we’re full of admiration because this driver is just as good at the handlebars as he is behind the wheel.
The BMW M Hybrid V8s are impressive machines. Racing across the Atlantic since 2023, the cars are powerful enough to claim victory. Equipped with a Dallara chassis, identical to the Cadillacs entered in the same category, they are powered by a 640hp 4.0 V8, coupled with an electric motor for a total of 868hp… If the power is significant, we cough when we learn that the weight is contained to 1030kg. What rockets!
The clock starts ticking at 4pm. We head for the starting gate, where the cars are parked. To walk out there, surrounded by the world’s most prestigious racing cars, with the grandstands packed to the rafters, is a magical moment. Seeing machines ready to tackle hundreds of laps, with teams on the go to change tires at the last minute in uncertain weather conditions, is impressive.
We stop for a few minutes next to the BMW #20, the twentieth Art Car created by the American We stop for a few minutes next to the BMW #20, the twentieth Art Car created by the American We stop for a few minutes next to the BMW #20, the twentieth Art Car created by the American artist Julie Mehretu. A project initiated in the 70’s by Hervé Poulain, the principle is to entrust the painting to an artist to make a work of art run. The first four cars were driven by Monsieur Poulain himself, and the tradition has continued with a real commitment from the brand. Julie Mehretu explains that she imagined the result of the confrontation between her Everywhen painting and the Hypercar, imagining that the grille would inhale the paint. “The Art Car will only be finished once the race is over”, with these words, we hope the car crosses the finish line!
“Oh no Zizou, not after everything you’ve done”. Back in the grandstands, we watch the opening ceremony of the race. France’s most famous footballer kicks off the race. It’s with chills that we watch the French army hand the flag to Zinedine Zidane.
4pm. Let the race begin!
The rain quickly set in after the start, and there were already a few accidents. A few minutes into the race, the BMW Art Car went off the track, then struggled back into the race. Many of the cars slide… The show is there, but we also realize the risk that the drivers take to try to do as many laps as possible until the next day. We decided to explore the area around the circuit at night, to experience the 24 hours of Le Mans in a different way with our friends.
The race is not difficult to follow, with giant screens everywhere. But nothing beats our eyes, and we decided to take in the sights as night fell, heading for the Ferris wheel. We admire the circuit in all its splendour. The panoramic view gave us a good idea of the scale of the event, with cars racing down the track, grandstands packed with spectators and the immensity of the Le Mans 24 Hours site. It was from the Ferris wheel that we learned of the retirement of one of the M4 GT3s… Disappointed, we decided to continue our journey through the bowels of Le Mans, heading for the Beauséjour campsite. Here we meet a group of Englishmen, who have come by Imperial bus and set up a base camp with a guinguette and a stage. Our friends take great pleasure in playing head-turning classics. Boy, what an atmosphere!
The rain was still pounding the track, and the red flag was waving. With the race suspended for the next four hours, we decided to take the opportunity to rest.
When we woke up to the news that the second BMW hypercar had retired, only one M4 GT3 remained in the race. The Art Car is currently being repaired, and we hope to see it cross the finish line. We then head for the Daytona bend, the first chicane on the huge Hunaudières straight. Here, the braking power of the cars is impressive. What passage speeds! While the absolute lap record at Le Mans is held by Jackie Oliver, in a Porsche 917 for 3min13 and an average speed of 250km/h, the cars have made enormous progress. The new record, following the installation of the two chicanes in the ’90s, dates back to 2015. It was set by André Lotterer, at the wheel of an Audi R18 Etron, with a time of 3min17 and an average speed of 248km/h. It’s not that far off, and perhaps we can imagine the old 917 record being beaten in a few years’ time?
Before heading to the grandstands for the end of the 24 hours, we head to the BMW pits to take the temperature and find out what goes on behind the scenes during the race. We’re witnessing some impressive organized work. The race is surely as much played out behind the scenes as behind the wheel. Each team member plays a crucial role in the race to success. And while it might be easy to blame a team for dropping out, like BMW with the #15, or Alpine for not finishing the race, it’s important to put things in context. Running a race car on the level of a Hypercar requires dealing with a number of variables that make your head hurt just thinking about it; the 24h of Le Mans now seems a lot more complex than it sounds. For any team to enter a car in this race requires such courage that we can only admire it.
It’s time for a snack, and the chequered flag too. It’s time for a snack, and the chequered flag too. We meet up with our friends in the stands to watch the end of the show. The sounds of engines echo between the buildings. Cadillac V8s make structures vibrate, much to our delight. We often read that modern motor sports are becoming boring, and it’s true that some cars convey too little emotion: no noise, overly modern designs… Fortunately, some teams adopt decorations whose colors and shapes recall mythical cars (notably Porsches), in addition to lively engine sounds: the magic is bound to happen.
A few minutes before the end of the countdown, the Art Car resurfaces. The laps behind the leader can be counted in tens, but the work will be complete. The chequered flag waved, and a Ferrari 499p crossed the line first, followed by a Toyota and another Ferrari! The Tifosi are sweating, and after passing the hurdle of honour in the pitlane, the track is opened to the many fans! It’s impressive to see the fans running up the runway to get a front-row seat for the awards ceremony.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is not only about performance on the track, but also about the encounters, the exchanges and the energy that drives every participant, whether in the teams or the spectators. This 2024 edition will remain engraved in our memories as our first time at Le Mans. It was crazy. It’s certain that from now on, the 24th week of the year will be dedicated to this crazy race!
As guests of BMW M Motorsport, we were lucky enough to experience the 24 Hours of Le Mans in an exceptional way. Many thanks to them. The second-place M4 GT3 has lifted our spirits, and we hope that for the rest of the WEC season BMW will be luckier (and that Ferrari will look in its rear-view mirrors…).
