Studious atmosphere for the drivers' briefing

From 10:45, the drivers began to queue to sign the attendance sheet (mandatory, under penalty of a fine of 1,000 euros) for the drivers' briefing scheduled for 11 o'clock on Tuesday. They settled with their team-mates or their countrymen to listen to the instructions of the FIA Race Director Eduardo Freitas and the sporting director of the ACO Vincent Beaumesnil after an introduction by Race Director Daniel Poissenot.

A copy of the instructions, in English, was given to each driver at the entrance of the room. The emphasis is on safety and respect for other competitors on the track. Eduardo Freitas gave the news about the circuit, including the resurfacing of Mulsanne Straight and installation of an extended run-off area at Arnage, but also safety issues such as the use of turn signals by slower drivers to indicate the path they will take.

The intervention of the safety cars may also confuse some new drivers. Given the length of the circuit, three cars are deployed when the race is under full course caution. A simulation of a severe accident was done at test day, under real conditions because only the driver and the team involved in the simulated incident knew that it was an exercise.

At the end of the briefing, there was a question and answer session. Two people raised their hands. Eduardo Freitas responded and then closed the session by wishing them luck and a race without serious incident.

Dave Davies 

Photo : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, Tuesday 12 JUNE 2012, DRIVERS BRIEFING. The mandatory drivers' briefing.