Australian driver Martin Berry using AI to prepare for ‘iconic’ 24 Hours of Le Mans

With the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) personal trainer, and hours in the simulator, Australian Martin Berry is ready to tackle one of motorsport’s most famous races. 

Berry is one of four Australians driving in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, which begins on Sunday at midnight AEST in France.

The Victorian is part of the number 61 car for Iron Lynx, competing in the LMGT3 category. 

The number 61 qualified 13th fastest in the LMGT3 class, and 50th overall, for the start of the famous endurance race. 

Berry, a veteran of racing series around the world, is suiting up for his second 24 Hours of Le Mans, after making his first appearance last year. 

The endurance race, described as “iconic” by Berry, requires drivers to be in terrific physical and mental condition to just be able to finish. 

Berry told ABC Sport the use of AI has helped him get his body and mind ready for this weekend’s race.

“I’m quite into AI these days, so I have built this AI personal trainer that has been guiding me for preparation for Le Mans,” he said.

“It’s a mix of doing a lot of strength work, while also doing a lot of cardio. 

“[Also] putting in the time on the sim (simulator) to find the rhythm and build the muscle memory.

“You need to be driving at your peak performance over a 24-hour period with not a lot of rest, and not a lot of recovery.”

Fellow Australian Yasser Shahin will also compete in the LMGT3 class, with his number 92 The Bend Manthey car currently leading the LMGT3 standing in the World Endurance Championship.

Shahin and the number 92 car will start two places behind Berry and the number 61.

There are also two Australians in the LMP2 class, a racing category no longer in the WEC but organised by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which runs the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jack Doohan is in the number 24 Nielsen Racing car, which qualified third in the class, and James Allen is part of the 99 AO by TF car, which starts eighth.

In the top-tier Hypercar category, the number 15 BMW M Team WRT, driven by Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor, is starting on pole.

Berry and his Iron Lynx team finished 12th in the LMGT3 class at last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, 44th overall. 

Aside from being able to drive one of the world’s most famous motor races, Berry said the festival of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is what makes it so special each year.

“It starts with the parade in the town, that’s very special,” he said. 

“The level of fans that are here; it’s one of the biggest races in the world in terms of fan participation and attendance. 

“The quality of the drivers on the grid is at a very, very high level, so you have to be competitive and super focused.”

The 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, France, from 12am Sunday AEST to 12am on Monday.