Frédéric Sausset recounted his story and told a captivated audience of athletes, Olympic medallists and journalists about his participation at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans and the measures taken to ensure that a quadruple amputee could safely take to the wheel in the world’s most legendary endurance race.

The 24 Hours finisher addressed sporting champions including Marie Amélie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, Chloé Trespeuch (snowboard), Benjamin Daviet (biathlon), Alexis Hanquinquant (triathlon), Jonathan Hivernat (wheelchair rugby), Michaël Jérémiasz (wheelchair tennis), and members of the Toyota France Destination Tokyo 2020 team. Sausset was accompanied by his driver, former MotoGP competitor Aoki Takuma, as he talked of his plans to field a team of disabled drivers in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans. “I thought our experience at Le Mans in 2016 would have paved the way, but it’s still not straightforward. I have the full support of the FIA and the ACO to achieve my goal.” All those present expect to see sports made easier and more accessible for people with disabilities of any kind. “We did well in the Paralympics, but we’re not seeing the Olympic effect trickle down to grassroots level like it does with able-bodied sports, as we lack the resources required to track membership numbers and locations” explained Marie Amélie Le Fur. The general consensus was that other hindrances also come into play, such as a notion of overprotection, especially for high-risk sports. 

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, paid credit to “Frédéric Sausset’s courage and drive”, saying “he has proven anything is possible if you put your mind to it”, and he acknowledged the work accomplished by the FIA Handicap and Accessi”bility Commission. 

Frédéric Sausset heads up his own outfit, which currently has three drivers, Aoki Takuma, Nigel Bailly and Snoussi Benmoussa. Does he have a reserve driver lined up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans? “I’m looking for one” he said. It seems a number of candidates from the Toyota group have already come forward.