On the 22nd and 23rd of June, Signatech Alpine will revive a colour dear to many fans of the 24 Hours of Le Mans : The blue of France. This livery last took victory at Le Mans forty years ago.

Before the appearance of sponsorship, racing cars sported a solid colour relating to their country: Red for Italy red, dark green for Great Britain, blue for France ... The latter was carried by Lorraine-Dietrich, DB René Bonnet, Bugatti, Delage Gordini, Alpine, Delahaye and Talbot-Lago.

Twenty-two years after Talbot-Lago, Matra was the last French manufacturer to win in the blue of France at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with three consecutive victories. In 1972, for their seventh appearance in La Sarthe, success finally came with Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo driving. Hill scored a feat still unmatched in the history of motor sport, becoming the only driver to have won Le Mans, Indianapolis and Monaco. For Pescarolo it was the culmination of a history that began in 1966, when “the man in green helmet” and Matra made their début together in La Sarthe.

But the party was not over yet. In 1973, Matra blue beat the red of Ferrari after a superb duel. Henri Pescarolo up again on the top step of the podium, this time with Gerard Larrousse. The duo returned again in 1974 for what will be the third and final victory for Matra. Other French manufacturers have entered their name in the history of the 24 Hours: Renault-Alpine (1978), Rondeau (1980), Peugeot (1992-1993-2009). But the image of blue France recalls unforgettable moments in the history of motor sport, the team Signatech Alpine will revive this in the 90th anniversary edition of the 24 Hours.

Jean-Philippe Doret - ACO

Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 15 & 16 JUNE 1974. The combination of the blue of France and melodious sound of the Matra V12 ushered it into the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.