Ready For The 24-Hour Endurance Race At Le Mans, Sean Gelael: An Exciting But Not Easy Challenge

JOTA team driver Tom Blomqvist (center) with Sean Gelael (right) and Stoffel Vandorne (left) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian racer Sean Gelael is ready to face new challenges and experiences in his racing career, namely the 24-hour endurance race at the FIA World Endurance Championship Le Mans, France, August 21-22 and is currently starting a special training program in Ibiza, Spain.

"Of course this is an exciting challenge, but it's not easy. Therefore, preparation must be done. In Ibiza this is practically like a training camp. We have to be totally prepared, as well as want to build more chemistry," said Sean in an official statement quoted by Antara, Monday, August 2nd.

The rider, who is fully supported by Jagonya Ayam, will not train alone, but will be with his teammates at NOTA, namely Tom Blomqvist and Stoffel Vandoorne. This special program is even more exciting, as F1 team Alpha driver Pierre Gasly Tauri and Sean's former F2 teammate Norman Nato also join.

The program in Ibiza Spain is more focused on increasing fitness levels because this is an important factor considering the 24 hours of Le Mans race is very tiring and requires high concentration for 24 hours non-stop, day and night.

Racing at Le Mans will be different from night races on modern circuits with lights on either side, such as at Marina Bay, Singapore, or Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. Every racer will face the challenge of racing at night without circuit lights and relying solely on car headlights.

The light-dark-light cross race is clearly tiring and requires high concentration, especially when it is predicted that the dark duration at Le Mans during the race will be around 9 hours. In this race, each rider only has time to rest for about 3 hours. The race will be more challenging, if it rains.

In addition to fitness, the introduction of the race track is also key. Because he had never participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sean had to adapt through the special simulator of the 13.6 kilometer circuit.

The racing simulator adaptation will be set exactly the same as the race. For Sean, adapting the race through the simulator is very important, especially for the night race. All riders have to go through the night session, he is no exception, a rookie.

For the 24-year-old racer, racing at Le Mans will be an important record in his racing career because he will be listed as the first Indonesian racer to take part in the 24 hours of Le Mans race. This is also a good opportunity to score. Racing at Le Mans has double points. Thus, Sean and his friends still have the opportunity to poke into the top position of the standings.

In the temporary standings or until the third championship series, Sean Gelael who is on the JOTA 28 team, is still in third position with a value of 53 points. They are only three points adrift of the JOTA 38 team and 21 points from the United Autosport USA team.