EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 90TH LE MANS 24H

For the first time in three years, the 24H of Le Mans welcomed fans again. The race which takes place at the infamous Circuit de la Sarthe in the middle of France saw nearly 250,000 visitors. To put that into context, the host city of Le Mans has a population of less than 150,000. As ever, they travelled from all over the world to enjoy the most famous endurance race in the world. As an official partner, Motul supported this year’s event – and even had a corner named after it – the Virage du Raccordement Motul – which forever marks the famous red and white logo in Le Mans racing heritage. Let’s take a look at some of the key facts and figures from this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans went. 

Last weekend, the pace was quite furious at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The track uses several public roads, which are specifically shut down for the event, stretching over 8.5 miles and lapped approximately 375 times during 24 long hours. The average lap speed was around 230km/h in the Hypercar category, which requires absolute concentration by the riders and the maximum out of their engines. This year was the 90th running of the event, and after the Covid crisis, finally one to call normal, as it welcomed nearly 250,000 fans.  

While the factory backed teams of Toyota took P1 & 2, the privately owned, and Motul-backed, team Glickenhaus took P3 after 24 hours, finishing only five laps behind Toyota. That’s quite a performance if you know this team and car didn’t even exist three years ago. During the race, the two Glickenhaus cars were on in the chase after Toyota. One car spun during the night, losing precious time and the quest for overall victory.  

The mighty 38 from the Motul backed team Jota moved to the top of the LMP2 leaderboard. Finishing first and third, and powered by a Gibson engine. These engines are lubricated by Motul 300V, but also casted and drilled in the Gibson engineering factory. This is Jota’s ninth finish in the last nine years, taking up two places on the podium this year.   

The Le Mans circuit, is known for some of motorsport’s most famous corners with iconic names. Cars first dive down through the Dunlop Curves, showing the legendary curved logo before they turn in the fast right flick of Tertre Rouge, which brings you onto the Mulsanne Straight. These days, the Mulsanne has a couple of chicanes on it, leading to Mulsanne corner at the end. The field then snake through Indianapolis and Arnage before arriving at the fast Porsche curves. The lap is nearly finished by the double Ford Chicane before arriving at the “Virage du Raccordement Motul”, which has been officially renamed the week before the race.  

In 2021, Motul launched the new generation of Motul 300V Le Mans series, which offers the maximum engine reliability possible and is available in 10W-60 and 20W-60 viscosities. It is perfect for extreme motorsport applications such as endurance racing and drifting. Adding to the uniqueness of these products is the fact that they are the only engine oils worldwide bearing the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans name. 

Besides the oil, Motul’s involvement ranges from being the official partner of the overall event to technical support to teams, delivering products for engine builders and mechanics. Motul’s range includes among others gearbox oil, transmission fluids, MoCool coolant, greases, brake fluids and Car Care products.  

Next year, the event will take place on 10-11th of June 2023. And the competition will be even more fierce in the Hypercar category, as Toyota, Glickenhaus and Alpine will take on the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Peugeot and Cadillac, all eager to seal an historic victory. And to make the competition more exciting in general, there will be the introduction of the GT3 participants joining the world’s greatest endurance race!