“The first time I came as a photographer to the 24 Hours of Le Mans was in 1998. Until then, I was a laboratory assistant at the DPPI agency. It was the year of Mercedes' return to Le Mans. They hadn't come since the terrible accident in 1955. They did a few laps and quickly gave up. The following year, they returned. As I recall, they are late in their preparation. They are testing in their corner. They try by all means to be competitive.
Read also: 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mercedes will make its return to the GT3 category
I'm back too. At DPPI, we prepare, as with each edition, a battle plan. We are four or even five photographers. We share the must-see places along the circuit. In 1998, I only did the stands. There, I go on the circuit. For the warm up, I wanted to see the cars with the sunrise. I chose the Mulsanne roundabout because it was on the axis. I told myself if the weather is nice, there will be beautiful light. It can be nice. I knew that my time was limited because the warm up only lasts 30 minutes but I wanted to go to this place which, today, is no longer accessible. The goal was to make angles that we wouldn't necessarily be able to do during the race.
To access this spot, it takes 30 to 35 minutes by scooter from the stands.
“I was a little stressed, I didn’t want to miss out”
I was a little stressed. I remember, I leave at 7 a.m. I didn't want to miss out, not to get lost on the way. I am a young photographer. I arrive on site a little before 7:45 a.m., an hour before the accesses are closed. I head towards the roundabout to position myself….
