Studio Gabriel: ground zero for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
In a space only a few square meters in size at Studio Gabriel, the biggest esports endurance race in the world - the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual – is currently being directed.
A whopping 200 racers – including 37 different nationalities of professional drivers and esports experts from around the globe – are currently battling it out for 24 hours. They will compete from a variety of locations including their homes, from team headquarters, from the Monaco Automobile Club or from the Ferrari museum in Maranello.
All competitors will hit the Le Mans circuit virtually via the rFactor2 platform. Of course, the virtual race still requires coordination so that the 50 teams (30 LMPs and 20 GTEs) compete according to regulations and within the platform. Indeed, Studio Gabriel has been set up to accommodate - in compliance with social distancing measures - the race direction and a full television production crew.
At the helm is Eduardo Freitas, the traditional race director for the FIA WEC and Olivier Denis, responsible for producing the event for television. With their respective teams, both are overseeing the smooth running of the race.
Freitas is tasked with ensuring the esports-adapted sporting regulations are respected as unique situations arise as well as specific penalties. For Denis, the 26-hour production is being accompanied by a call for donations for medical research related to Covid-19 initiated by H.R.H. Princess Charlène of Monaco via her foundation.
Additionally, space has been dedicated for simulators intended for the IDEC SPORT Racing and Signatech Alpine Elf teams, as well as the leading and safety car - MissionH24’s hydrogen-electric LMPH2G prototype. The cutting-edge machine will be virtually driven by its test driver Olivier Lombard and sim racer Aurélien Mallet, both onsite in Paris.
A specially designated area will also host ACO President Pierre Fillon, FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille and the FIA WEC CEO, Gérard Neveu.
Well-guarded but on display at Studio Gabriel are the very real trophies for the first 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual.
Don’t miss a minute of the action… follow the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual LIVE.
Enjoy a series of images from the studio below.
