24h Le Mans
At 15:00, new Formula One chairman Chase Carey dropped the flag to hail the start of the 85th 24 Hours of Le Mans. Toyota, who had cornered the top two spaces on the grid, retained the advantage through the Dunlop Chicane and on to the top of the Mulsanne Straight - Mike Conway in the #7 Toyota TS050-Hybrid leading the way ahead of the Neel Jani in the Porsche 919 Hybrid.
Well-known faces from the motorsport world and beyond attended the grid walk. Automobile Club de l’Ouest president Pierre Fillon was surrounded by new Formula One chairman Chase Carey, FIA President Jean Todt and Nicolas Deschaux, president of the French federation of motor racing, forming the united front of motorsports.
Representatives of the two LMP1 manufacturers were also present, namely Oliver Blume (CEO of Porsche), Wolfgang Porsche (chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche), Akio Toyoda (President of Toyota) and Takeshi Uchiyamada (Chairman of Toyota).
Before the start, Le Mans-born Sébastien Bourdais, absent following an injury sustained in the Indianapolis 500, called with a special message. "I'm doing OK. It took a while to come to terms with the accident but I'm healing well, there are no real problems." Last year’s winner of the LMGTE Pro class, Bourdais was acclaimed by the local crowd.
Shortly before the green flag, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet also sent a message to fans and drivers. Recently returned from a six-month mission Pesquet during which he photographed iconic landmarks, including the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit, Pesquet saluted the world’s greatest endurance race. "I was so excited to be able to view the iconic circuit from one of the best vantage points there could be. I think it's really important that the 24 Hours of Le Mans plays a role in improving vehicle energy efficiency. I'm disappointed not to be there with you but I send my warmest wishes to all the drivers for a great race."
