Common logic holds that the Le Mans 24 Hours is at its most magical at night. And sure, it’s incredible watching hypercars blast past in the dark at close to 200mph – but the rest of it can be a bit much.
On Saturday night, the Circuit de la Sarthe morphs into a big party venue, and it can be an overwhelming sensory experience. The humidity that can build over Le Mans in mid-June clings on after nightfall, making it stifling and uncomfortable.
And there’s a mass of humanity everywhere, drinking, partying and swirling in and out of the spectator zones, funfair and campsites. With all this and the bright lights, loud noises and smells of various foods being cooked, it’s loud, bustling and boisterous.
For someone who isn’t much of a partying type, it’s a lot, and I’m always relieved to escape the mayhem.
Besides, there’s a much better time to enjoy Le Mans. You just need to get up early: because compared with Saturday night, Sunday morning at Le Mans is a different world – and, in my mind, an immeasurably better, more pleasurable one.
The humidity fades overnight, and as the sun breaks under clear skies, it’s usually fresh and welcoming. And, aside from the 50-plus high-powered race cars roaring round, it’s peaceful.
The throngs of fans have melted away, aside from a handful of fellow early starters (and the odd late-night reveller asleep on the ground), so you have your run of prime spectator spots.
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