The 24 Hours of Le Mans will feature a total of 62 vehicles, so 186 drivers will take part in the ‘race of races’. Each one will have a vital role within their respective teams, since they will have to give their best in the relays they have to complete in the race. In this regard, it is pertinent to remember that a driver can spend at most four hours in a row at the wheel of his car and compete for a maximum of 14 hours out of 24 total. The distribution of these times often has to do with the level of the rider himself.
ACO decided to classify the pilots by age and merits, creating a distinction between professional and amateur pilots with four different classes. Based on this premise, drivers can choose to compete in the different categories that make up the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which are hypercars, LMP2, LMGTE-Pro and LMGTE-Am. In this aspect, hypercar (LMH and LMP1) can only be driven by professional pilots (Platinum or Gold), while LMP2 teams must have at least one amateur driver (Silver or Bronze), with the novelty this year of the creation of the Pro-Am subcategory. In LMGTE-Pro the choice is free, whereas in LMGTE-Am there can only be one professional pilot.
Platinum Pilot – Professional
The platinum pilot has less than 55 years and has the option of competing in all categories of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, although given their level they are usually linked to the manufacturers present in LMP1 or LMGTE-Pro, although there are more and more in LMP2. To receive this cataloging, at least one requirement established by ACO must be met. The loudest are have a Formula 1 super license, win Le Mans or have been an official driver. You can also be a platinum driver if you finish in the ‘top 10’ of the F2 or Indycar* or in the top six of a category of F3 of international rank or of a relevant single-seater competition.
Gold Pilot – Professional
Gold drivers must compete internationally or have a prominent role in national championships. This classification is achieved if you finish in the top three in a second-category car contest (the defunct Formula V8) or a national car series. You can also be a Gold pilot winning a car promotion championship (Formula Ford*), an International One-Brand Cup or finishing in the top three in the Porsche Supercup. As also happens in the platinum category, the ACO reserves the possible designation of a pilot without meeting these criteria.
![How are the drivers divided in the 24 Hours of Le Mans? How are the drivers divided in the 24 Hours of Le Mans?](https://static.motor.es/cdn-cgi/image/fit=cover,width=694/./fotos-noticias/2021/08/pilotos-24-horas-le-mans-201628395-1629281330_2.jpg)
Silver Pilot – Amateur
Silver Drivers are under 30 years old and they do not meet the merits to be Platinum or Gold pilots, although they can also be Platinum pilots by merit, but who exceed 60 years. To access this category, it is required to have achieved a victory in a National championship or an international competition of a certain level. The other option goes through win a category intended for non-professional pilots, like the Lamborghini Super Trofeo or the Ferrari Challenge*. A Silver driver will also be considered a pilot who has competed throughout the previous year in a national series with a relevant role.
Bronze Pilot – Amateur
It is the category intended for amateur pilots who do not meet any of the aforementioned requirements to be Platinum, Gold or Silver Pilot. These are normally pilots with very little or no experience in single-seaters or international weight categories, but they must have the international B License granted by the National Federations. Obviously, these are pilots who have no significant victories.
* Examples of categories do not represent the only option.