On November 7, 1980 the world lost Steve McQueen, a devoted motorsports fan. Ten years earlier, the actor attended the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans to film the famous movie "Le Mans."

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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

McLaren Racing is set to join the Hypercar grid for the 2027 season of the FIA WEC Endurance World Championship, with aspirations of a triumphant return to 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This strategic decision marks a clear statement of intent: McLaren is ready to rekindle the glory days of its endurance racing past. Thirty years after its Le Mans victory, the iconic British marque &ndash; famed for its bold papaya orange livery &ndash; is aiming for a comeback worthy of its illustrious legacy at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

In that short but impactful statement, Zak Brown confirmed McLaren&rsquo;s return to the world of endurance racing &ndash; reviving a deep-rooted connection with both the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1995, the team stormed to victory on its Le Mans d&eacute;but with the McLaren F1 GTR. That triumph, along with wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 in 1975, earned McLaren the prestigious Triple Crown of motorsport &ndash; an honour claimed by only a select few. 
So this new Hypercar campaign, launching in 2027, is far more than a technical venture. It&rsquo;s a bold return to the pursuit of excellence &ndash; and glory.

<h2>A star-studded Hypercar field</h2>

McLaren will join the ever more impressive field of manufacturers competing in the premier league of endurance racing. It will follow <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/genesis-takes-the-wraps-of-its-gmr-001-hypercar-59196" target="_blank">Genesis Magma Racing</a>, set to enter in 2026, and make its d&eacute;but alongside <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ford-in-the-top-class-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-in-2027-59293" target="_blank">Ford</a>, also confirmed for 2027.

The arrival of these high-profile competitors is a testament to the ever-growing allure of the FIA WEC&rsquo;s Hypercar class and the 24 Hours of Le Mans &ndash; a stage where the world&rsquo;s biggest automotive names battle for supremacy at motorsport&rsquo;s most iconic race.

McLaren Racing to join the Hypercar fray in 2027

24 Heures du Mans 1970

Steve McQueen&nbsp;had hoped to take the start at the 24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans (as&nbsp;Paul Newman did several years later), but was prohibited from doing so for insurance reasons.&nbsp;After filming was perturbed&nbsp;by the withdrawal of the director and two accidents&nbsp;(Derek Bell&#39;s Ferrari burst into flames and driver David Piper had to have a leg amputated), the movie - which&nbsp;McQueen considered to be an important step in his career - was a commerical flop in the U.S.&nbsp;The film has since&nbsp;become a cult-classic among motorsports fans&hellip;

Photo: Copyright - Archives/ACO

24H LE MANS

Today's Photo Story - Steve McQueen at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans

Related News

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

McLaren Racing to join the Hypercar fray in 2027

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