Although at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is won on the track, it can be lost in the pits. So, historically, everyone is looking to reduce the time spent in front of the pit garages. The stakes are high: the mere increase of one lap between fuel stops can be enough to save 2 stops over the 24 hours, or about 2 minutes.

 

But to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels is not enough, it is also necessary to preserve tyres. This a consequence of a rule introduced in order to improve safety. Because, since 1993, mechanical work can not be performed with the fuel hose attached. As soon as fuelling became separated from tyre change, tyres were no longer "hidden time" ... Hence the benefit of not replacing at every stop!

 

More safety, less waste.

 

For 20 years, competitors and their suppliers have continues to push the life of their rubber: double stints, triple and even quadruple. In 2011 French driver Benoît Tréluyer finished a quintuple stint of 750 km without changing tyres. The time saved in the pits contributed to the No.2 Audi winning by 13 seconds.

 

According to Michelin engineers, it would be possible to go even further if driving time was not limited to 4 consecutive hours per person. Driver change takes fifteen seconds, which is sufficient to change tyres in "hidden time".