Celebrating Ferrari’s Triumph at Le Mans, James Calado exemplifies the essence of the event.
Engine overrun: a resonant symphony created by fuel droplets dancing on scorching exhaust pipes.
Sometimes it mimics thunder, at other times an exploding automaton, and occasionally it imitates a mighty tree splitting in two. If you’re within earshot, it vibrates your very core.
Curiously, television coverage fails to capture its full intensity, but it is undeniably loud. Very loud.
This acoustic spectacle is a part of motorsport’s grandeur. However, its compatibility with the future of the sport remains uncertain.
To many, the sizzle of fuel meeting metal seems increasingly out of tune with a warming world where environmental consciousness is on the rise.
At Le Mans, the engine overrun drowns out a background of pulsating house music, fireworks, and exuberant cheers.
Each year, approximately 300,000 enthusiasts flock to north-west France for what can be described as the petrolhead equivalent of Glastonbury, with die-hard fans congregating around the Dunlop Curve to witness the enthralling action.
The main event, as always, is the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Throughout a day and night, three-driver teams battle exhaustion and a competitive field, maneuvering their aggressive prototype racing machines toward one of the most coveted prizes in motorsport.
This year marks the centenary since the race’s inception. For a while, though, it seemed that this milestone would pass without much fanfare.
Burdened by exorbitant costs and perceived as an antiquated relic, the race appeared to be fading into obscurity. In recent years, Toyota stood as the sole top-level manufacturer, effectively racing against themselves.
The glory days, epitomized by Steve McQueen’s brooding presence in the 1971 film “Le Mans,” where Porsches and Ferraris dueled under banners promoting oil and cigarettes, seemed to have vanished for good.
The organizers faced a quandary: how to tap into the rich heritage while reestablishing the race’s relevance.
The answer lay within the rulebook.
Frederic Lequien, CEO of the World Endurance Championship, enthused, “These new regulations grant car manufacturers design freedom, resulting in the creation of exceptional cars. We now have Ferrari competing against Peugeot, Porsche, and Cadillac, harkening back to the history of Le Mans. We have the world’s finest car manufacturers. Endurance racing has never been more vibrant.”
Looser restrictions paved the way for hypercars—exquisite evolutions of past sports cars. Each manufacturer had the liberty to pursue its design philosophy, fielding models that made bold statements. This level of creative freedom is far more challenging to achieve in Formula 1 and Formula E, where the grid is filled with largely identical cars.
Taking their positions on this year’s starting grid were a sleek Porsche, General Motors’ thunderous Cadillac, resembling a muscle car on steroids, and Peugeot’s masterpiece, the wingless 9X8—a design straight out of childhood dreams.
Leading this revival, which sold out two weeks after tickets went on sale, is Ferrari, returning to Le Mans after a half-century hiatus, alongside their already demanding Formula 1 commitments.
“We are incredibly busy, but also incredibly happy,” says Antonello Coletta, Ferrari’s head of GT sport. “We have returned to the pinnacle of endurance racing in the hypercar category—a move made with less time compared to our competitors, but we are extremely pleased. Le Mans is the most prestigious race in the world.”
Coletta represents the new breed of Ferrari leadership. Gone are the days of Gucci socks and blazers. His business-minded approach is evident in his words.
He reveals that several components of the 499P—the embodiment of Ferrari’s unrivaled beauty and complexity—are being tested for future use in road cars.
However, the most critical element lies hidden deep within the engine, surpassing all other innovations in determining Le Mans’ future.
In this year’s race, all 62 cars, including numerous private entries, run on a sustainable fuel derived from grape skin waste from vineyards.
The byproducts of the wine industry undergo a transformation into ethanol, which is then converted into usable fuel. Its creators claim that it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 65%.
It is a quintessentially French solution to a global problem.
While Formula 1 innovations often take longer to reach public roads, their trajectory aligns with that of Le Mans.
Similar to Le Mans, Formula 1 aims to demonstrate that electric cars are not the sole alternative, committing to exclusively using its own 100% sustainable fuel by 2026.
At present, Le Mans stands as the most compelling example for manufacturers advocating diverse solutions to fuel the future.
Paired with Ferrari’s highly efficient engine, which achieves remarkable power with minimal fuel consumption, the storied race exhibits a modern and eco-conscious face.
Could Le Mans’ present also hold the key to the future for everyday commuters?
Certainly, the arguments put forth by the race’s supporters appear to be making an impact.
Reportedly, the European Union (EU) is considering amending a proposed plan to ban the sale of all new combustion-powered cars by 2035. Instead of mandating solely electric vehicles, the EU intends to allow the production of new models powered by carbon-neutral fuels.
This potential shift has drawn criticism from environmental groups who argue that carbon-neutral fuels are unproven, expensive to produce, and distract from the most effective path to decarbonizing road transport.
Pat Symonds, F1’s technical head, asserts, “I don’t want anyone to think we’re against electric. On the contrary, electric vehicles are a great solution for urban environments. However, in other arenas and territories, they may not be the perfect answer.”
“In the race to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming—a cause dear to my heart, believe me—many governments prescribe a solution they want you to adopt. But engineers often respond, ‘It’s a good solution, but not the only solution.'”
“We’ve witnessed this change in the EU since February, leading to their recognition of the value of sustainable fuels. I believe we’ll see a similar shift worldwide.”
Deep within the dense forest adjacent to Le Mans’ iconic Mulsanne straight, the distant hum of engines reverberates amidst towering trees. It’s a dreamlike experience, especially at night—a ceaseless interplay of luminous headlights and raw power.
On scorching summer days at Le Mans, the soft moss saps energy from the air.
Since Ferrari’s last appearance as a works team, Mulsanne has been altered to ensure safety. Two chicanes now impede speed, reducing the risk of cars losing downforce and launching into the air, reminiscent of an airplane soaring into the treetops.
A decade has passed since the race’s most recent fatality, when Danish driver Allan Simonsen crashed his Aston Martin at the Tertre Rouge corner preceding Mulsanne. His car collided with a tree beyond the barrier mere minutes into the race.
“In every driver’s license, it states that motorsport is dangerous,” reflects Ferrari’s James Calado in their expansive hospitality suite.
“We acknowledge the danger, but honestly, the risk isn’t high when compared to the Isle of Man motorcycle races. The peril we face doesn’t even account for 0.1% of what those riders endure.”
“Occasionally, accidents happen—mostly by chance. I don’t want to jinx it, but cars are incredibly safe. You can experience a significant impact, and the car remains intact.”
Motorsport has made significant strides in improving safety since the gritty glory days of Le Mans. However, when it comes to sustainability, there is still work to be done.
While sustainable fuels emit particulates, including toxic nitrogen dioxide, and electric cars rely on power from the grid, both industries are actively pursuing greener solutions.
“As a driver, my job is to drive the car to the best of my ability,” explains Calado.
“I am fully supportive of sustainability. The future is uncertain, and we must all make a difference. We will do everything in our power to contribute.”
Calado, the most prominent British factory Ferrari driver since Nigel Mansell in the late 1980s, recognizes the influential role Le Mans plays as a platform, not just for racing but for larger issues that impact us all.
“It’s magical,” he affirms with a smile, referring to the experience of driving in the dead of night. “The fans never cease… even at three or four in the morning, you can still see and smell the barbecues as you sit in the car.”
“You can sense everything—the sparks when a car scrapes the ground, and the dust that enters our eyes when our visors are open.”
It’s an elemental experience. Weary drivers feel the strain, taste the dirt, and inhale the fumes.
For Calado and Ferrari, the weekend culminated in the sight of the checkered flag, marking a historic victory that solidified the brand’s triumphant return to Le Mans.
And the signature sound, for better or worse, remained unchanged—the crackling engine overrun.
