Akio Toyoda, 2023 Spirit of Le Mans 

The Spirit of Le Mans Trophy hails the men and women who embody the values of endurance racing: involvement, commitment, teamwork and sporting endeavour. This year, the award goes to Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota is the fourth manufacturer to have chalked up five straight wins after Ferrari, Porsche and Audi. The marque has also achieved eight pole positions (1999, 2014, 2017–2022) and has held the circuit lap record since 2017, when Kamui Kobayashi recorded a time of 3:14.791 (average speed of 251.882 kph).

Tom Kristensen, Centenary Grand Marshal

A 24 Hours of Le Mans win is the highlight of many drivers’ career. Tom Kristensen’s first Le Mans win was the launchpad for an outstanding run that took him to the pinnacle of endurance racing for almost two decades. At the 2022 race, the record nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was appointed as Ambassador for the Centenary celebrations. The next logical step was, therefore, to confer the role of Grand Marshal to “Mr Le Mans” himself. Kristensen will have the privilege of guiding the 62 cars through the formation lap for the Centenary race – round 4 of this season’s FIA World Endurance Championship – shortly before 16:00 on 10 June.  

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: I am deeply honoured to reward Tom Kristensen and Akio Toyoda in this manner and thank them most sincerely for accepting to be here. These key figures are a perfect illustration of what the 24 Hours of Le Mans stands for: innovation, perseverance, success and forward thinking. Tom is a living legend of the world’s greatest endurance race and has been a precious ambassador over the last year. Akio Toyoda honours us with his presence at our 100th anniversary celebrations. We are delighted to present the Spirit of Le Mans trophy to the chairman of a company that embodies the values that we defend. Now, let the race begin!