In preparation for the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans, Belgium’s Stoffel Vandoorne put his driving skills to the test on the AOTech simulator at Tigery, on the outskirts of Paris.

The simulator training session is mandatory for all drivers entering Le Mans for the first time. Vandoorne competed six exercises set by the ACO which included managing traffic, differing weather conditions, driving in the dark and a slow zone test.

“The simulator was all about getting used to the different procedures and how the WEC does various things,” said 27-year-old Vandoorne. “I’ve got a fair amount of experience in different championships, but each series has their own way of doing things so it was useful to get familiar with the circuit, how to approach the turns and also getting to grips with Slow Zones and Full Course Yellows etc. I can’t go to Le Mans without being familiar with all of these different factors so today was really important for these reasons.”

Vandoorne finished third on his WEC debut with SMP Racing at Spa-Francorchamps earlier this month but accepts there will be some fundamental differences between Belgium and the upcoming 24-hour race.

The former F1 driver explained: “Le Mans will be very different to Spa because the car will be in a completely different configuration with very low downforce. This set-up will be a lot more difficult. What I learned in Spa was very, very valuable but it will be more complicated in Le Mans with everything else that is going on.”

“Now I’m very excited for the first proper test session and getting some laps under my belt. My first race at Le Mans will certainly be special and I’m looking forward to the experience with SMP Racing,” concluded Vandoorne.