Risi Competizione pays tribute to French culture with the livery designed for its LMGTE Pro entry at next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car has been dubbed L’Académicienne, in reference to the Académie Française, the venerable French institution founded in 1635 by Richelieu and official authority on all matters pertaining to the French language.

Inspired by the traditional embroidered costume of the Immortals, as the Académie’s members are known, the livery features a woven braid that revisits the classic tricolour band. The braid gradually transforms into a frieze of olive leaves, symbols of strength, wisdom, fidelity and hope. The stylised design of the leaves becomes more distinct before they are dispersed through the force of speed.

The livery was developed as part of a workshop bringing together 16 students from different fields of ENSAAMA, the National School of Applied Arts & Crafts, aka Olivier de Serres, in Paris. L’Académicienne is the work of Aristide Renault and Augustin de Montardy. The final paintwork was applied by Andy Blackmore of Andy Blackmore Designs.

Fittingly, the #82 Ferrari 488 GTE EVO will be driven by three Frenchmen: Olivier Pla (12 appearances), Sébastien Bourdais (13 appearances, including three podiums and a pole position) and Jules Gounon (one appearance).

Read also Giuseppe Risi welcomes Sébastien Bourdais to Risi Competizione.