The test was introduced a few years ago and many teams, manufacturers and privateers put the 30-hour practice session to good use, notching up valuable experience in preparation for Le Mans. But is it useful every year? The answer to that question was a unanimous “yes”. However, the reasons differ from team to team.

For Rebellion Racing, the endurance test was a shakedown for the R13 developed by Oreca, which had only been set on its wheels the day before. The Swiss outfit only brought one of its two LMP1 prototypes but all six drivers took the wheel, each banking valuable mileage.

LMGTE Pro teams BMW and Aston Martin were also eager to be out on track. The German manufacturer is takiing the M8 to Le Mans this year, while the British team will be introducing its fans to the new Vantage.  Although both hade already covered a significant distance in tests – some 15,000 kilometres for the Aston Martin – both GTs made the most of the Paul Ricard circuit, with BMW clocking 682 laps and AMR 852.

Toyota completed 839 laps, but rather than just string together fast lap after fast lap, the team elected to use the time for the mechanics to practice changing parts such as the battery and the steering wheel and to try out a cooling system. Other than issues caused for test purposes, the only problem the Japanese manufacturer encountered was a brush with one of the flexible bollards used as track delineators.

From a driver’s point of view, the test is the opportunity to practice negotiating traffic, which they don’t have in private tests and to get used to their competitors’ habits, many of whom are new to endurance. With time, they learn to spot when others are about to overtake, and to gauge their reactions when about to be overtaken. Endurance being a team sport, sharing experience helps gel a group, close-knit relations being all-important ingredient in a gruelling race.

Drivers, engineers and team managers all agree that private tests are useful but that nothing can replace a real-life test. On race day, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, there will be not 13 or even 35 cars on track, but 60!