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: ‘When every second counts’. Because that's what it's all about: bacterial meningitis, the most serious form of the disease, can be fatal in just 24 hours. It's a medical emergency that the public needs to be made aware of.

The #59 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo, driven by Grégoire Saucy, Sébastien 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.

A strong message for spectators and television viewers

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. “Le Mans is the ultimate race against time — 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’re not just backing a car — we’re supporting a movement. Because when every second counts, we choose to race for lives”, says Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President, Vaccines, Sanofi

For Louise McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer at McLaren Racing, the brand's commitment to this campaign takes on a special resonance: “We’re proud to be working closely with our Official Partner Sanofi to support this exciting campaign 30 years since McLaren’s historic victory in 1995. I can’t wait to see the #59 car out on the iconic Le Mans track in support of this great cause."

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.

To remember:

• The United Autosports McLaren 720S LMGT3 #59 features a novel decoration to raise awareness of meningitis.
• Every 15 seconds, someone in the world contracts the disease.
• A serious disease, but largely preventable through vaccination.
• The Le Mans 24 Hours is becoming a global platform for raising awareness of a medical emergency.