24h Le Mans
Chaque année, plus de 1 800 commissaires de piste sont mobilisés pour la grande semaine des 24 Heures du Mans. Bénévoles, ils contribuent à l’événement de manière directe, et aident les pilotes à profiter d’une piste totalement sûre. Rencontre avec deux d’entre eux, au niveau de la chicane Forza Motorsport.
At the marshal's post at the Forza Motorsport chicane, all eyes are on the track. There, like at many other spots around the circuit, marshals watch over the smooth running of the race. "We are used to working in teams, we have our procedures and know them well," explains Patrick, serving in his 21st edition. "Either we intervene (meaning go and help a competitor having difficulties, like an incident, editor's note), or we signal (wave the flags to warn drivers of changing track conditions or of some kind of danger, editor's note)." The race direction gives us more precise information for interventions. Our post head is in communication with them, and in function of the directives, he decides how many people to send. It's at least two, which is oftentimes enough to secure a driver, or simply give him help quickly and assist him in starting again. If parts need to be removed, or the track needs to be cleaned of gravel, there may be more of us."
Many track marshals have solid experience and serve at more than 10 editions. But there are also newcomers like Antoine. "It's my first year, I'm an apprentice marshal. I started at Test Day and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be my first race. I already know the duties a bit because my father was a marshal himself also here. I already knew the rules and guidelines before waving the red flag for the first time, but to do it in real life is different! It's interesting, it's impressive, because we are in prime spots to enjoy the speed of the cars, their noise, etc."
Marshals are unable to enjoy the show fully though. They must above all be focused on safety on the track: "One must always be alert. We are not spectators, but players. You can't watch the race too much, but concentrate namely on waving the blue flags at the right time. I have not yet had to intervene on the track, but it doesn't scare me," says Antoine. "When I'll have to go out and help a driver, it will be natural, I'm not afraid of it."
Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
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Photo: Throughout the 13.629 km-long circuit, track marshals ensure the safety of the drivers.
