Circuit de la Sarthe Circuit Guide

The Circuit de la Sarthe (also known as the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans) in Le Mans is a semi-permanent racetrack with a rich history related to the famed Le Mans 24 Hours event.

It has private sections for racing and competition, as well as public roads that are open all year for local use.

The short Bugatti Circuit, utilized for the 1967 F1 French Grand Prix won by three-time Australian world champion Jack Brabham, is also found here. It was never used for Formula One racing again, but it now hosts the French motorcycling Grand Prix.

Long straights characterize the main Circuit de la Sarthe, particularly the Ligne Droite des Hunaudières, which was 6 kilometres of ridiculous speed until 1990. It is now interrupted by two chicanes, which serve to limit the highest speed achievable.

Despite several limitations and adjustments, the course is still infamous for putting cars under extreme stress, with 85 percent of the lap spent at full speed. Vehicles must reduce from nearly 200 mph to 65 mph to perform a comfortable sharp turn near the end of the Mulsanne straight, resulting in significant brake wear.