I'm currently drafting a comparative analysis of the various sporting events I've experienced, aiming to provide specific insights into the differences between my F1 and Le Mans experiences. However, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to highlight a remarkable experience I had with the Hertz Team Jota at Le Mans this past weekend. Witnessing a team pull together for a single purpose larger than any individual is something I will remember forever.
For those who don't know, in the team's last session on Thursday, the #12 car, which had qualified in 8th position, crashed. Initially thought to be a minor issue, the team later realized that the chassis was compromised. Over the next 36 hours, they sourced another Porsche hypercar, stripped it down, and rebuilt their car—a process that would typically take three weeks. The entire team worked around the clock to have the car ready for their drivers.
Working with the WEC, they were allowed to take the car to a nearby airport runway for a "shake down" to ensure everything was functioning correctly. It's amazing to think about, especially when you consider that all the other teams had rested and made minor adjustments to their cars since Wednesday. This team had no window to rest and recharge; they had to continue supporting their car through the next 24 hours of the race. When I asked one of the team members how he was doing, he responded, "It feels like I'm jet-lagged, just keep going."
Not only did they rebuild a car, but they also rebuilt a car that competed for 24 hours and finished in 8th place. Incredible. As a sports marketer, these are the experiences and magic you sometimes get to share with your clients when you partner closely with high-performance teams.
On reflection, what an event, what a group of individuals, what a team. Well done!
Technical Director at Project Balance LLC
3wNice to see this kind of proactive initiative in difficult times.