Jarama – How refueling will affect race tactics

Forget the image of mechanics dressed like astronauts to fill up a prototype or GT3 in its pit. In the Lamera Cup, this is done at the entrance or exit of the pit lane in a location isolated from the public and technicians. A special feature: each vehicle stops at one of the five available pumps. The driver remains on board, the engine continues to run while a technician works to open the fuel flap (it's located on the front hood) and then insert the fuel hose. This operation is under the close supervision of firefighters ready to intervene at the slightest incident.

During a race, there are two ways to refuel the car. When the race is running normally, the driver can visit the pump whenever they want. There is no set window, as there is for driver changes. With this option, they can request 80 liters of fuel.

The other way to refuel is to take advantage of a Code 60 (neutralization of the race at 60 km/h to evacuate a broken-down or damaged car). In this case, the driver always remains at the wheel, engine running, but, on the other hand, the technician-pump attendant can only add 40 liters maximum. Once he has returned to the track, he is free to return to the pump on the next lap and request 40 liters again.

© Dominique Dricot

Of course, a trip to the fuel pump takes time. Generally, it's less penalizing to go to the fuel pump under Code 60. The engineer in the pits carefully monitors his screens as well as the information broadcast by Race Control. He's often the one who tells his driver to go to the fuel pump. But sometimes a driver, who has witnessed a track exit, takes the initiative to go back to the fuel pump because he knows that a Code 60 will be imposed in the next few seconds.

In short, filling up the tank (now, gasoline is 98 octane on all circuits) can allow you to gain or lose places in the standings. A strategy that adds a lot of interest to the Lamera Cup.