What happens at the Le Mans Test weekend
On Saturday 15th June, the French tricolour flag will be waved for the start of the world’s biggest sports car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This weekend (31st May-2nd June), in preparation for the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season, the 62 entries take to the 13.62km track for the one and only official test day.
But what happens during the test weekend, and who can take part?
As a large part of the Circuit de la Sarthe is made up of public roads, this is a rare opportunity for everyone to test cars, drivers and systems ahead of the main event in two weeks. All 62 entries will be on track, together with the majority of the 186 drivers lined up to compete in the race.
Newcomers to Le Mans in 2019
The test day is obligatory for all entrants, and most particularly for drivers who have never raced before in the 24 Hours of Le Mans or who are not on the official List of Exempted Drivers, such as Stoffel Vandoorne!
These drivers must complete at least 10 laps minimum during Sunday's track sessions. This is in addition to the simulator training they have had to do prior to the test day.
What happens and when?
The public roads are closed to traffic very early on Sunday morning 2nd June and will re-open around 19h30.
Scrutineering checks for the cars will take place on Thursday 30th May and Friday 31st May and for drivers on Saturday 1st June (08h30-15h30) inside the circuit. There will also be pit walks for fans on both Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday at 16h00 the official group photo of all cars in the race will take place on the front straight.
Two Free Practice sessions will take place on Sunday 2nd June between 09h00-13h00 and 14h00-18h00.
List of entrants for the official Test Day HERE
