New colours for Richard Mille Ferrari
The Richard Mille Racing Ferrari, usually seen in the ELMS sporting a blue and white livery, is here for the team’s home race with a more patriotic design (featured).
“It’s very beautiful. And honestly, it’s really French!” Driver Lilou Wadoux told DSC.
The crew in the #150 – Wadoux, Riccardo Agostini and Custodio Toledo, has been looking good in the ELMS. The trio sit second in the standings are riding the crest of a wave after winning last time out at Paul Ricard.
“We had a really difficult Barcelona,” Wadoux, now a Ferrari contracted driver, admits. “We all made some mistakes. Everyone, the team, and I think after Barcelona, we made progress across the board.
“It’s now three years that I have been a Ferrari driver too, and it’s always nice. Honestly, every day is a dream. I really like what I do, whether it’s in a GT or proto. I like both, and it’s really nice to live with what you love the most.
“I hope that we continue like this and that I can show them more and more what I am capable of.”
Nielsen utilising AI tools
Nielsen Racing, which is here at Le Mans with an ORECA sporting a livery reminiscent of its Asian Le Mans design from the winter, has begun using AI tools to help interpret the regulations.
“Obviously, being able to sort through large amounts of data is what AI can do,” driver Naveen Rao told DSC. “And so, rule books are a form of data.
“It’s particularly useful when you need a point of clarification of something in real time. If a situation occurs on track, instead of having to find a specific point in the rules, we can use AI to find it for us, live in sessions.
“French or English doesn’t matter either. These tools are very good at languages, so that’s not a problem.”
Going forward, the team hopes to expand its use of AI to assist directly with race strategy.
“We’re still working through how we can use it strategically, but, yeah, for large language models like ChatGPT, to sift through the rules and find the relevant rule for the situation you’re in is actually a very nice use,” Rao continued.
“AI is interesting. In some ways, it feels like it’s moving very fast. And I think that’s more just due to many more people using them.
“People don’t see the behind-the-scenes, though. The technology that led to the current tools we have has been in the works for five or six years, so it’s not something that just happened overnight. You’re just seeing the fruits of that labour now.
“What’s also happened is there’s a ton of focus and investments in the area. So we are seeing a lot of new tools and not a lot of new capabilities. When you have something that can interpret human language very precisely, it opens up a whole new set of possibilities.
“Software is changing. Things are moving very quickly. It’s quite amazing.”
Barker: Proton taking “steps forward” with Mustangs
Is there a team that has experienced a bigger swing in momentum through the opening races of the WEC season than Proton Competition?
Since it’s a disastrous start to the campaign at Qatar, things have begun to turn around and according to Ben Barker, Chris Ried’s outfit can afford to be confident of a result at Le Mans after finishing second and fourth at Spa.
“I think this year, certainly we’ve made some steps forward compared to last year,” driver Ben Barker explained to DSC. “I think even from Qatar, you know, we had some troubles there in the Prologue and testing, but before the trouble we had in the race, we were actually looking really strong with these guys doing great stints. So the speed was there.
“And then we moved on to Imola, which was also strong, pace-wise. And I think that actually we were looking to even win that race, if I’m honest. But we had a few minor setbacks with strategy.
“Then at Spa again, the pace was there, and we were strong enough to fight for a podium. I think ultimately, this year is shaping up to be a year where we can fight for the championship.
“We haven’t had the results exactly what we wanted at the start of the year, but nevertheless, Spa showed promise, and our speed has always been there. So I think it looks quite, quite healthy going into Le Mans, you know. And let’s see, let’s see where all the others play out. As far as speed.”
Malykhin making P2 progress
Reigning FIA WEC LMGT3 champion Alex Malykhin is back at Le Mans this year, but in a different class. The 37-year-old is still with the Pure Rxcing team, but in a CLX Racing-operated ORECA 07 in LMP2 rather than a Manthey Porsche.
The transition for Malykhin from a standout Bronze in LMGT3 to a Silver in LMP2 has been challenging, with just one podium in eight races to show for his efforts. But after his Asian Le Mans Series over the winter with TF Sport and the start of the ELMS season with CLX, he is beginning to feel more at one with the ORECA package and ready to score results consistently.
“I think so far we’ve been struggling, but there have been highs, like Barcelona where we finished fourth, with good tactics and without any critical mistakes,” he said.
“I feel like my pace is up and down. Sometimes I have been happy with my job, sometimes I have made mistakes. I’ve had to work hard to improve before Le Mans. I’d say it’s been challenging driving a P2 car with different teams so far, as they bring different philosophies.
“Luckily, I have good teammates in Tristan (Vautier) and Tom (Blomqvist). There’s a good vibe between us. My mindset is always about results, but when I jump in a beautiful car like this, I have an enjoyable feeling.”
Vosse: “We have the car, the team, the drivers to deliver”
BMW Team WRT boss Vincent Vosse says the mood and atmosphere within his team is totally different compared to last year at Le Mans, with the team feeling more confident ahead of the M Hybrid V8’s second attack on the race.
It’s not been without its challenges, but there have been plenty of encouraging signs from the Belgian outfit that it can reach the top step of the podium in Hypercar for the first time soon. The #15 has finished in the top 10 at each race so far, and the #20 finished second at Imola.
“We have prepared ourselves for this big race, but you are never prepared enough; every manufacturer can say that,” Vosse said. “But compared to last year, let’s say we feel more confident. Things can happen very quickly, but I feel we have the car, the team, and the drivers to deliver a good result. We’re on a good level this year, we just need to make sure we don’t ‘over push’.
“The car is in a better place, and it’s more than just the change to the brakes (via a Joker). There are a lot of little things that have improved, including the drivers. Let’s see what it brings us. We have always been a little behind Ferrari, but things can change. We will have to see where we are after the test day.”
This is just the start of an extremely busy month for the team, which will also represent BMW in the Spa 24 Hours later in the month.
“There are a lot of people in the team that are doing both Spa and Le Mans, there are some drivers and team members doing Le Mans, Nürburgring and Spa too. It’s tough, but we are prepared to do it.”
Porsche continues Racing for Charity drive
Porsche is continuing its successful “Racing for Charity” initiative this year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Stuttgart-based manufacturer will donate 500 euros for every completed lap by its three works 963s in the race.
The full amount will be donated to the two charitable children’s aid organisations, Interplast Germany e.V. and Kinderherzen retten e.V. It will be added to the €1,822,000 which has already been donated through the initiative.
The hashtag “#RacingForCharity” will also once again feature on the inner fenders of the three Penske-run 963s.
“We’re very proud of our three years of ‘Racing for Charity, ’” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President, Porsche Motorsport.
“If our sport can help disadvantaged or even sick people, especially children, we don’t hesitate for a moment. This has always been part of Porsche’s ethos. The donation amount grows with every lap at Le Mans. That’s a very special incentive for us.
“With donations amassing over €1.8 million in the last two years, this initiative is one of the most important projects of its kind at Porsche.”
Goodyear blimp confirmed
LMGT3 tyre supplier Goodyear has confirmed that its iconic blimp will be present at the Le Mans 24 Hours this year as part of the ongoing 100th anniversary tour for the airship.
It is the sixth consecutive year that the Goodyear Blimp will fly over Circuit de la Sarthe, offering not just a unique spectacle for the huge number of fans watching trackside, but, for guests and VIPs, a unique viewpoint of the race from above the action.
Goodyear has been experimenting with lighter-than-air aircraft since 1910, but the first Blimp, Pilgrim, took to the skies in 1925. Since then, it has become synonymous with the brand, taking to the skies at major events around the world.
Aston Martin tweaks Valkyrie livery
Aston Martin THOR Team’s Valkyries are sporting a revised livery for their first appearance at Le Mans, with Union Jacks incorporated into the green livery on the rear of both cars.
It’s almost certainly going to prove to be a popular decision amongst the British fans trackside this year…
Images courtesy of Aston Martin, Porsche, Goodyear
