24h Le Mans
When the grid for to the 86th 24 Hours of Le Mans was revealed on 9 February, just one driver was named for each of the sixty cars. And yet there will be three of them sharing each car when the race starts at 3.00 pm on 16 June. Why? When do the full line-ups have to be nominated? What does article 10.9 of the regulations specific to the 24 Hours of Le Mans say? And what has changed this year?
Basic conditions of nomination
Firstly, drivers wishing to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans must submit a rating request to the FIA, without which they are not authorised to take the wheel. FIA classifies the drivers into four categories (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) according to their age and track record. Furthermore, drivers making their first appearance in the race and those who have not participated for more than five years must undergo a one-day simulator training session to familiarise themselves with the innovative safety procedures implemented at the classic French marathon.
Key dates
The regulations state that each team must nominate a designated driver for the 24 Hours of Le Mans by Monday 5 February 2018 at the latest. They then have until midnight CET on Thursday 10 May 2018 to give the ACO their complete driver line-up. Before this 10 May deadline, the teams can therefore name a provisional line-up and, where several cars are entered, swap the drivers around. The designated driver, however, can only be replaced if a written request explaining the change is submitted to and accepted by the Sports Committee. Obviously, a designated driver for a team that ends up missing out on an invitation to the race can join another crew.
After this cut-off date, and until the meeting opens, any changes to the line-up must be requested in writing, with valid reasons given, to the ACO Sports Committee. If approved, a fee of €5,000 per driver applies. Reserve drivers are not officially admitted although, in practice, several teams do have a driver on standby. This nomination, which remains a purely internal decision, is not communicated to the organiser. The reserve driver will not be able to replace a designated driver.
No changes can be made once the administrative checks have been completed during scrutineering, except in the event of force majeure to be judged by the Stewards’ Panel.
New rule
This year, should a regularly nominated driver be incapacitated, the Stewards may allow his or her replacement (the decision will not be subject to appeal) if the request is submitted in writing by noon on Friday 15 June at the latest. The replacement driver must fulfil very strict conditions. He/she must:
hold a valid licence;
have competed in one of the last two editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series or IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race in 2018;
have taken part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Test Day (a competitor can have up to five drivers take part in the Test Day if requested before Thursday 10 May 2018);
have participated in the Thursday’s practice sessions or in the warm-up (mandatory minimum of five laps) if the request is made after Thursday’s practice;
have attended the drivers’ briefing or been specially briefed by the Race Director.
This provision does not open the door to reserve drivers, who remain strictly forbidden, but will allow teams to replace a sick or injured driver. The Stewards’ Panel may, in fact, request further information if it deems necessary.
Fulfilling all the conditions laid down in the regulations does not necessarily mean that a driver will be selected by a team, as the composition of the driver crews is restricted in certain classes – as explained in another “Focus on the 24 Hours of Le Mans regulations”.
Photo (copyright ACO / Nikon): The official photo of the 180 drivers at the start of the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans.
