- The centennial celebration of 24 Hours of Le Mans was a significant milestone for Motul
- Newly-formed Hertz Team Jota aided by Motul during debut in Hypercar category
- Motul’s 300V lubricant is crucial for teams to excel in demanding endurance races
The 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, held from 10th to 11th June, was a momentous occasion for fans, organizers, teams, and sponsors alike. For Motul, the official lubricant partner of the legendary French race, this event holds great significance. As a globally renowned brand with a rich motoring history, Motul takes pride in partnering with an array of teams to provide them with the best lubricants to ensure optimal performance for the cars’ engines. As the leading brand that teams and drivers rely on for top-notch performance, Motul understands the significance of this privilege. With its French roots, Motul’s association with the 24 Hours of Le Mans for several years, and being entrusted with the role has been a genuine honor for the brand.
This year’s race was particularly memorable for the Motul-powered Hertz Team Jota who made their debut in the Hypercar category, a class of sports cars that are designed and constructed with the purpose of achieving exceptional levels of performance and luxury, surpassing traditional boundaries. These cars are engineered to push the limits of speed, power, and technology, and provide the ultimate driving experience. Antonio Félix da Costa, the 2022 LMP2 category champion, was one of the drivers who expertly steered the wheel of the Porsche 963 for Hertz Team Jota. The drivers in the legendary race face challenges that test their adaptability and expertise. The changing light and shadows of the track make it difficult to maintain orientation, making communication with the pit crew and small goals critical to staying focused. The drivers are eager to take on the challenge of the race, and despite the high pressure from sponsors and potential risks, they remain enthusiastic and optimistic about the opportunity to compete at such a high level.
In order to achieve success, Team Principal Dieter Gass emphasizes the importance of personnel selection and executing a flawless race strategy. To him, winning the race requires more than just a competitive and reliable car. The team must work closely with the Technical Director, Chief Engineer, and drivers to develop a detailed race strategy. The ability to remain alert and make the right decisions during critical moments can make all the difference between winning and losing. As Gass highlights, the start of the race can be a thrilling and nerve-wracking moment. The drivers must possess the necessary experience to navigate through potential crashes while making up places. With so much at stake, Hertz Team Jota’s success depends on having the right personnel and a well-executed strategy.
To support Hertz Team Jota in the Hypercar category, Motul provided top-quality lubricants and oils to enhance car performance during multiple workouts. WEC teams required brake oils, cleaning fluids, and daily maintenance fluids to maintain the parts’ immaculate condition during the most demanding race in the world. Motul’s flagship 300V oil, formulated using an organic base made from non-fossil renewable materials, was the perfect fit for ultra-endurance tests like Le Mans. The legacy of Le Mans endures as a testament to the enduring passion and dedication of drivers and teams alike, and Motul is proud to have played a part in this historic event.
Each passing year, Le Mans continues to evolve, such as after the addition of the new corner ‘Virage du raccordement Motul’, which was introduced just a year ago as a result of a partnership between the lubricant company and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) after 68 years of working together in close collaboration. As a never-ending cycle of laps that transition seamlessly between day and night, it is a competition filled with sleeplessness, racing through the forested areas of Arnage or Mulsanne, and hurtling at high speeds exceeding 340km/h through Les Hunadieres.
Dieter Gass | Team Manager, Hertz Team Jota “Normally in other races we have certain restrictions, but not in the 24 hours. If you want to have a chance to win the race, the car must perform well. Then you have to be alert 24 hours a day and you can’t relax for a second. There are times of maximum stress, when the weather conditions change or because of accidents, and there, in a second, you have to make the right decision, the one that will make you win or lose. I always say you have to be prepared to expect the unexpected, you always have to be ready to face the unimaginable and this means always having a plan ready to react to any scenario.”
Antonio Felix da Costa | Driver, Hertz Team Jota “Le Mans is in itself, a special emotion and even more so when you are part of a project as new and recent as Hertz Team Jota. There is no other race like it. It’s not just a 24 hour race. It is a 36 or 42 hour race. Plus the days leading up to it, when there is enormous activity and excitement. It’s an indescribable experience. The track is a challenge in itself every minute. Sometimes you get the feeling that you’re racing on different circuits and it’s hard when the light starts to change abruptly, at dusk or dawn. The only thing that worries me a little bit sometimes is to be aware of everything we have behind us: sponsors, equipment, etc… Carrying that pressure is always the hardest part of the race. But everything is worth it when you win. This time it was not possible, but last year we got the victory and that was a great moment, one of the happiest of my life!”
