In Full Race Control - Part One

The calm, sonorous voice of the FIA WEC’s Race Director has become well known to fans of endurance racing, as his succinct but always relevant messages to teams are often included in TV and radio broadcasts. But who else is in Race Control at a round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and what do they do?  The first of this two-part interview looks at the people involved.

At the helm of the ship is Eduardo Freitas who has been the FIA-appointed Race Director since day one of the championship. The Portuguese, who speaks five languages fluently, first became involved in motorsport almost 40 years ago first as a mechanic, then a marshal and a Clerk of the Course.  He has been an FIA Race Director since 2002 and has covered single seater, touring car and endurance racing championships on a global basis so brings unparalleled experience to the WEC.

Race Control is the nerve centre for any race meeting, the room itself varying in size, but always containing the same tight-knit team of people who watch the race unfolding in a way that few of us can imagine.  Eduardo explains who sits alongside him and what they do.

“Currently we are five in Race Control during a race; there are fewer people in practice, although the room will always have more local track people in to back up our core team.  There is myself and Lisa Crampton, my assistant, and – since the new marshalling system was introduced – we also have Guido Truant from Magneti Marelli to operate and help us better understand the potential of that. 

“Vincent Beaumesnil is there to help us with regulations and details regarding the safety car procedure and management.  For example, when pit entry is closed, open, when the pass around should happen and so on; this allows me to run the event without having to worry about that aspect.  As Sporting Director of the ACO there is a lot of information he takes from the races so it’s good on both sides that he’s there with us.”

The principal and over-riding aim of the Race Control team is to ensure the safety of teams, drivers, track workers and spectators in every session or race that takes place.  The other key person who works closely alongside Eduardo Freitas is the Clerk of the Course who is appointed by the national sporting authority (ASN).  Eduardo continues:  “He is key because he knows the circuit, knows the marshals and puts out any information regarding safety aspects of the track: the people, the equipment and the structure itself – he liaises with all of them.”  The Race Director is, at any time during a session, in radio contact with the Clerk of the Course, the Technical Delegate and the Chairman of the Panel of Stewards.

FIA Driver Advisor Yannick Dalmas is also present to provide help or from a driver’s point of view to Race Control or to the Stewards, if needed, on technical situations on track.  He is there to answer questions and is an extra pair of eyes.  During the 6 Hours of Silverstone, for example, the former Le Mans winner noticed something from the CCTV regarding contact between two cars and provided the Race Director with invaluable help in analysing the situation. 

Also in Race Control are two or three dedicated medical personnel, including the FIA Medical Delegate.  When the need arises the Race Director gives instructions straight to the Chief Medical Officer who is helped by the FIA Medical Delegate to assess or deal with any given situation.

Part two of this interview looks at what happens inside Race Control.

Fiona Miller

Photos:  CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2014, 12-15 JUNE 2014.  1) Race Director Eduardo Freitas (foreground) at a Drivers' Briefing; 2) Race Director's Assistant, Lisa Crampton; ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil; FIA Driver Advisor, Yannick Dalmas.