Vincent Beaumesnil, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will have an all-new qualifying format – dubbed “Hyperpole” – this year. Can you tell us how it works?

« We shall have two sessions specially dedicated to qualifying. The idea is to showcase the specific period when the competitors are in “pure speed” mode and capture the adrenaline and suspense that is so different at our unique track. It will now be a sequence of the whole spectacle that is the Le Mans 24 Hours. Previously, we could guess roughly when the competitors were going to go all-out to seek a qualifying time from the track conditions, the temperature and the stage the car was at in its testing programme. But there were no guarantees and, of course, they were not necessarily all out on track at the same time. »

Could you provide us with details?

« With the introduction of Hyperpole, all competitors will take to the track on Wednesday night, from 23:15 to midnight, and that’s when they will have to do the business. There will be a direct face-off between all the cars, in the same 45-minute window. It will be a tense, exciting session for the competitors, and for fans trackside and watching at home. Following this 45-minute period, the top six cars in each class will qualify for the next stage on Thursday at 21:00. These 24 competitors will then have just 30 minutes in which to clock their fastest possible lap. The top six places on the grid in each class will be based on these times. The 24 Hours starting grid will now be split into four with LMP1 at the front, then LMP2, LMGTE Pro, and finally LMGTE Am. That 30-minute slot will be absolutely unmissable! By 21:30 on Thursday evening, we’ll know how the cars will line up for the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans (subject to technical verifications). We’ll set aside some time on the Thursday evening for the fans to salute the fastest in each class... the four hyper-polesitters! The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an endurance race, but we wanted to spotlight the exercise of pure speed on our unique 13-kilometre track. Some of the stints at Le Mans these days are in fact more akin to a sprint race, so high are the performance and competitiveness levels of the cars. »

Like last year, 62 competitors are invited to take part in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans. How does this grid measure up from a sporting point of view?

« The profile, track record and values of the competitors promise a spectacular race in every class. I am also delighted that a pioneering project – the so-called ‘Garage 56’ – will once again feature on the grid and it’s an honourto welcome back Frédéric Sausset. After competing in and crossing the finish line at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016, this time Frédéric is entering a machine driven by three drivers with disabilities. It’s crucial for Frédéric to take part in the 24 Hours as it’s a logical step in the development of an ambitious project. And as organisers, it strengthens our resolve to make motorsport open to all. With several all-female driver line-ups – in LMP2 and in LMGTE – in the field, it shows that motorsport, and particularly endurance, is universally popular and that the road to Le Mans is barred to no-one. The endurance pyramid that we set up, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans at its pinnacle, is proving its worth, every single day. Also, the commitment made by Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Corvette to LMGTE Pro, with cars that are so different, is a solid indication that the BOP system fulfils its purpose of guaranteeing fair competition. »

The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans still plays a vitally important role in the race. Have any changes been made to it this year?

Work has been light compared to previous years. However, we have made a few changes at Mulsanne. We have made the run-off deeper and replaced a part of the gravel trap with a tarmacked area that will slow down the racers who drive off the track and cut back on operations to clean up gravel projected onto the track and hoist out stricken cars. This means we can keep the momentum of the race going without jeopardisingdrivers’ comfort or safety. »

This year’s race will see the end of the LMP1 Hybrid. What lasting memories will you have of this top class of endurance racing?

« A certain amount of pride and a true sense of satisfaction. Our sporting and technical regulations succeeded in implementing equivalences between various technologies and controls of the energy used per lap. It was extremely satisfying for the organiser and thrilling for the fans to watch machines with different systems race neck and neck, with only seconds between them. »

The 24 Hours of Le Mans will start at 16:00 this year. Why the change?

« It simply gives us time to put on an even bigger show by extending the starting ceremony and showcasing the support races and the exceptional parades that we are lining up to celebrate some special events. »

>> Find the entry list of the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans <<