24h Le Mans
The 4th Pit Stop Challenge at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was held on Tuesday afternoon with the mechanics for Peugeot TotalEnergies'' #93 Peugeot 9X8 taking the top prize!
Launched in 2022, this contest honours the best pit stop crew in each category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The mechanics must change four tyres as quickly as humanly possible, and hopefully finish in under 10 seconds at the very least.
IDEC SPORT Racing, Iron Dames and Akkodis ASP Team got the party started. Iron Dames immediately set an impressive time of 9.53 seconds. The competition got fierce fast when the Ferrari-AF Corse mechanics for the #51 Ferrari 499P lowered the time to 9:14 and then were quickly outdone by their #50 teammates with a time of 9:05.
Ultimately, the Peugeot TotalEnergies team earned the title this year with a spectacular time of 8:83, winning the Pit Stop Challenge for the second time after 2023. The 2024 winner was the crew for the #51 Ferrari with a time of 9:68.
WINNERS BY CATEGORY:
Efficient in-race tyre changes are the result of intensive training. Beginning during the winter break, mechanics practice the process several times a week or even a day to hone essential reflexes. Each fraction of a second saved in pit lane can make all the difference in the race which is why training focuses on making the actions second nature. The mechanics, who must carry 22 kg wheels and handle 6 kg pneumatic guns, even work with a sporting coach. Like the drivers, they are constantly striving to improve performance. Calmness, speed and methodology guide each of their actions in a perpetual quest for efficiency against the clock.
Team mechanics and drivers will be hard at work at the circuit tomorrow from 14:00 to 17:00 for the first free practice session.
Watch the FIA WEC live or on demand on the official FIA WEC TV app, your all-access pass to the FIA World Endurance Championship including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Don't miss a second of the action! For more info, go to the app.
