Born in Poughkeepsie, New York (USA), Johnny O'Connell was inducted this year into the Corvette Hall of Fame, rewarding his exemplary career with the U.S. manufacturer since 2001.

The second round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) takes place this Sunday 4 May at the Circuit Paul Ricard, as part of the 4 Heures du Castellet. An impressive 44 cars are expected on the grid, with a large French contingent on home soil in terms of both drivers and teams.

No fewer than 33 French drivers and 7 French teams will be competing on the C&ocirc;te d&#39;Azur. Among them, several winners of the opening round in Barcelona will be aiming for another success on French soil: Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Mathys Jaubert, C&eacute;lia Martin, Paul Lanch&egrave;re and Adrien Closmenil.

Already victorious in the LMP2 category in Spain, the IDEC Sport team arrives confident with two cars entered. The Mathys Jaubert/Jamie Chadwick/Daniel Juncadella trio in the #18 Oreca 07-Gibson will be aiming for a second consecutive win, while the #28, with Paul Lafargue and Paul Loup Chatin alongside Job Van Uitert, will also be aiming for victory in this home race. 
Frenchmen Charles Milesi and Esteban Masson (VDS Panis Racing) will be looking to improve on their second place in Barcelona. The Duqueine Team, meanwhile, will be hoping to turn Reshad de Gerus&#39; pole position in Spain into a solid result. 
Other French drivers competing in LMP2 include Th&eacute;o Pourchaire (Algarve Pro Racing), Tom Dillmann and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (Inter Europol Competition), Tristan Vautier (CLX - Pure Rxcing) and Maceo Capietto (Iron Lynx-Proton).

<h2>AF Corse in search of a LMP2 Pro/Am double</h2>

A surprise overall winner in Barcelona, the Pro/Am team in the #83 AF Corse Oreca - Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo, Matthieu Vaxiviere and now Nicklas Nielsen - will be looking to repeat the feat at Le Castellet. 
TDS Racing, the only French team in the category, is also riding high after a podium finish in Spain for the Cl&eacute;ment Novalak / Mathias Beche / Rodrigo Sales trio. Also to watch is Thomas Laurent, entered in the Oreca #3 DKR Engineering with Laurents Horr and Georgios Kolovos.

<h2>LMP3: CLX Motorsport leads the way after Barcelona</h2>

In LMP3, the Spanish victory of Paul Lanch&egrave;re, Adrien Closmenil and Theodor Jensen (CLX Motorsport) gives them the status of favourites at the start of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. 
Reigning champions RLR MSport are also serious contenders, with Gillian Henrion among their ranks. Three 100% French teams - Racing Spirit of L&eacute;man, Ultimate and M Racing - will be keeping a close eye on the action. The public will also be able to count on Fabien Michal (Eurointernational) to carry the hopes of the French.

<h2>Iron Dames aim to repeat</h2>

Winner in Barcelona, C&eacute;lia Martin (Iron Dames) will be looking to repeat the feat in the company of Sarah Bovy and Michelle Gatting in the #85 Porsche 911 GT3 R. 
The French clan is well represented in the LMGT3 category, notably with Racing Spirit of L&eacute;man (#59 Aston Martin) and its three French drivers: Cl&eacute;ment Mateu, Erwan Bastard and Valentin Hasse Clot. Lilou Wadoux will be sharing the wheel of a Ferrari 296 with Riccardo Agostini and Custodio Toledo. 
Charles-Henri Samani will also be on track with AF Corse, while the much-anticipated James Calado, winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2023, will drive the #57 Kessel Racing Ferrari.

The 4 Hours of Le Castellet is shaping up to be a major event in the ELMS 2025 season, both for the fans and for the French drivers in search of home success. This second round could prove decisive in the race for the title and will provide a great spectacle on the Var circuit, just a few weeks before endurance racing&#39;s showpiece event: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, on June 14 and 15.

See the <a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/doc-prod/m033Wu4h6nyxoP-mLXE2uoiA.pdf" target="_blank">entry list</a> for the 4 Heures du Castellet 2025.

ELMS: 44 cars on the starting grid for the 2025 4 Hours of Le Castellet

For the 93rd edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours (11-15 June 2025), the #59 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo entered by United Autosports in the LMGT3 class will feature a unique livery: the Meningitis Flag. The aim of this livery is to raise awareness of a disease that is all too often overlooked: meningitis.

Sanofi, in collaboration with McLaren Racing and United Autosports, has chosen the 93rd Le Mans 24 Hours, the fourth round of the FIA WEC Endurance World Championship, to convey a powerful message: &lsquo;When every second counts&rsquo;. Because that&#39;s what it&#39;s all about: bacterial meningitis, the most serious form of the disease, can be fatal in just 24 hours. It&#39;s a medical emergency that the public needs to be made aware of.

The #59 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo, driven by Gr&eacute;goire Saucy, S&eacute;bastien Baud and James Cottingham, will carry the colours of the Meningitis Flag, a global symbol co-created by Sanofi with para-athletes affected by the disease, the Meningitis Research Foundation and the CoMO network (Confederation of Meningitis Organisations). The flag represents unity and hope in the fight against this infectious disease, which still kills too many people.

<h2>A strong message for spectators and television viewers</h2>

With over 300,000 spectators expected on site and more than 140 million television viewers worldwide, the Le Mans 24 Hours is a global showcase. Sanofi intends to use the event to raise public awareness of the importance of vaccination, the early detection of symptoms and the need to act quickly.&nbsp;&ldquo;Le Mans is the ultimate race against time &mdash; just like our fight against meningitis. At Sanofi, we believe science is our engine, partnerships our fuel, and awareness our finish line. By bringing the Meningitis Flag to the world stage, we&rsquo;re not just backing a car &mdash; we&rsquo;re supporting a movement. Because when every second counts, we choose to race for lives&rdquo;, says Thomas Triomphe,&nbsp;Executive Vice President, Vaccines, Sanofi

For Louise McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer at&nbsp;McLaren Racing, the brand&#39;s commitment to this campaign takes on a special resonance:&nbsp;&ldquo;We&rsquo;re proud to be working closely with our Official Partner Sanofi to support this exciting campaign 30 years since McLaren&rsquo;s historic victory in 1995. I can&rsquo;t wait to see the #59 car out on the iconic Le Mans track in support of this great cause.&quot;

In addition to their cars, the drivers will also be wearing the meningitis flag, which will be visible at several points around the circuit throughout the race week. The aim of this visual campaign is to provoke discussion, spread vital information and, above all, remind everyone that in the fight against meningitis, quick action can save lives.

<h4>To remember:</h4>

<ul>
	<li>The United Autosports McLaren 720S LMGT3 #59 features a novel decoration to raise awareness of meningitis.</li>
	<li>Every 15 seconds, someone in the world contracts the disease.</li>
	<li>A serious disease, but largely preventable through vaccination.</li>
	<li>The Le Mans 24 Hours is becoming a global platform for raising awareness of a medical emergency.</li>
</ul>

24 Hours of Le Mans 2025: the #59 McLaren sports a livery committed to fighting meningitis

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is proud to announce that Roger Federer, the revered champion and global sporting icon, will don the mantle of official starter at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans, the fourth round of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, at 16:00 on Saturday 14 June.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Roger Federer has left an indelible mark on sporting history with an outstanding record of 20 Grand Slam&reg; titles and 310 weeks as world number one, and a style of play that has captivated generations of fans. Beyond his achievements, Federer exemplifies elegance, respect and dedication&thinsp;&ndash;&thinsp;values that mirror the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has also been a long-standing Rolex Testimonee.

Each year, the role of official starter is given to a well-known international personality whose presence adds to the unique allure of the legendary race. Hence, in 2025, Roger Federer will lower the flag to start the world&rsquo;s greatest endurance test, an occasion that promises to be filled with emotion.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest: &ldquo;It will be a tremendous privilege to welcome Roger Federer as the official starter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His influence extends far beyond tennis. He is a living legend, admired as much for his achievements as for his human qualities. His involvement will further boost the appeal of this year&rsquo;s race, which is already gearing up to be outstanding.&rdquo;

Roger Federer: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a huge honour to have been invited to start the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an iconic but extremely gruelling race. I&rsquo;ve always been fascinated by the commitment, precision and resilience it demands. Being at the heart of this emblematic event will be a remarkable experience.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Continuing a long tradition of honouring the greatest figures in sport and culture, Roger Federer&rsquo;s appearance will bring an additional layer of excitement to an event already eagerly awaited by fans across the globe.

<h4>FINAL FEW TICKETS AVAILABLE!</h4>

Enjoy the free practice, qualifying and new-look Hyperpole sessions before the trackside concerts! Ticket prices start at &euro;23 for students and &euro;62 for the Green Ticket offer, designed to encourage sustainable mobility.

<a href="https://ticket.24h-lemans.com/selection/event/date?productId=10229239928157&amp;gtmStepTracking=true&amp;lang=en">&gt;&gt;&gt; TICKETS &lt;&lt;&lt;</a>

Roger Federer to flag the start of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans

Genesis Magma Racing has lifted the veil on the GMR-001 Hypercar, which combines design and Korean heritage. Previewed ahead of the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the car marks Genesis' entry into the hypercar category, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours from 2026.

The Korean manufacturer is building on its &ldquo;Athletic Elegance&rdquo; design philosophy to present a prototype that is both sleek and sculptural. With its performance-oriented design, the GMR-001 embodies a new vision of motor sport, in which form meets endurance demands. &quot;The GMR-001 Hypercar, like any race car, is a sculpture shaped by the constraints of efficiency and performance, combined with the Genesis design DNA,&quot;&nbsp;explains Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis Creative Director. 
Genesis&#39; signature dual-line lighting extends to the front and rear, ensuring a strong visual identity and optimum night-time visibility, essential for 24-hour events.

<h2>A livery inspired by Korean culture</h2>

The livery of the GMR-001 plays with gradations ranging from Magma orange to a deep red, echoing the heat of the engine and the Doppler effect of the sound of the twin-turbo V8. The Korean alphabet lettering of &ldquo;Magma&rdquo; (마그마) is integrated into the rear, fusing modernity and heritage.

Although the car&#39;s full specification is still confidential, Genesis has confirmed that the GMR-001&#39;s chassis and hybrid powertrain have been developed in partnership with ORECA Motorsport. Particular attention has been paid to aerodynamics, with a flat floor, integrated scoops and a sculpted parabolic line all designed to optimise performance over long distances.

<h2>A remarkable debut in the ELMS</h2>

Prior to its official entry in the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship in 2026, Genesis Magma Racing is making its debut in the European Le Mans Series with an Oreca 07 LMP2 entered by IDEC Sport. The team of Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella finished second overall in the 4 Hours of Barcelona and first in the LMP2 class. &quot;Today marks an important milestone for Genesis Magma Racing with the presentation of the GMR-001 Hypercar, our livery and racing suits,&quot;&nbsp;said Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal. &quot;We&#39;re not just building a racing team; we&#39;re building a legacy.&quot;

To carry Genesis&#39; ambitions high, the team will be able to count on three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Andr&eacute; Lotterer and four-time Sebring 12 Hours winner Luis &ldquo;Pipo&rdquo; Derani. &quot;Putting this combination together made me realise just how exciting this opportunity is,&quot;&nbsp;says Andr&eacute; Lotterer. &quot;It embodies Genesis&#39; commitment to design and performance. You can feel the pride in every detail. Racing for Genesis Magma Racing is a real honour. I can&#39;t wait to push the GMR-001 to its limits on legendary circuits like Le Mans, Daytona and many others.&quot;

With a strikingly designed hypercar, real ambitions and major partners, Genesis Magma Racing is putting the Le Mans 24 Hours at the heart of its strategy. The GMR-001 Hypercar, expected on the grid in 2026, will be the on-track embodiment of Korean expertise, combining innovation, identity and technical excellence.

Genesis Magma Racing unveils the livery of its GMR-001 Hypercar

Who does not know Johnny O&#39;Connell and his smile? Following the end of the American Le Mans Series, the American driver forever holds the record of starts, podiums, Top 5 and Top 10 finishes in the series. His race record in the classic endurance races is impressive: an overall victory at Daytona, Sebring too, plus eight class wins, and most important, four class wins at Le Mans (with a Nissan for his first appearance in 1994 and three with Corvette Racing) and eight podiums! Also to be added three championship titles and 38 class wins in the ALMS. As a reward for an incredible career, Corvette have elected him into their Hall of Fame. In this video feature, his former team mates and Doug Fehan, the head of Corvette Racing, pay tribute to their friend.

	<img class="imgVideo" id="1947" src="/wpphpFichiers/video/1947-2013-corvette-hall-of-fame-inductee-johnny-o-connell.jpg" />

	For other videos:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lemans-tv.com/">www.lemans-tv.com</a>

	Thierry Arman and C&eacute;cile Bonardel / ACO - Translated by Tony Light/ACO

24H LE MANS

Johnny O'Connell in the Hall of Fame (video)

Related News

ELMS: 44 cars on the starting grid for the 2025 4 Hours of Le Castellet

24 Hours of Le Mans 2025: the #59 McLaren sports a livery committed to fighting meningitis

Roger Federer to flag the start of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans

Genesis Magma Racing unveils the livery of its GMR-001 Hypercar

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