Between them, the seven boast 27 victories: Tom Kristensen (nine), Emanuele, Pirro (five), Henri Pescarolo and Yannick Dalmas (four each), Gérard Larrousse and Romain Dumas (two each) and Eric Helary (one).

ACO president Pierre Fillon began by presenting the unique Centenary Trophy made by the Paris Mint and sponsored by Rolex. “Such a special event called for a special trophy. The winning team gets to keep this one!” The gold and black represent day and night, and the spiral symbolises the link between past and future. The shape is also a nod to the Olympic flame, which the Centenary trophy has imitated by visiting several locations around the world, starting with the Concours d’élegance in Pebble Beach, California, then Chantilly, followed by the Goodwood Revival (UK), and now Paris.

Nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Centenary Ambassador Tom Kristensen took the trophy for a a special night out on Monday 30 January. “I had the chance to drive the Chenard & Walcker, the winning car in 1923, in the streets of Paris and it was a great pleasure. It is a physical car, and with the cobblestones the trophy was very noisy! [laughing] We have a great year ahead of us. So many constructors are shaping up for this special race. Le Mans is special because you have to concentrate on details with your teammates. It is also about energy and dedication, with an average speed of 220 kph on a 13.6-kilometer circuit."

Emanuele Pirro, who shared three of Kristensen’s victories (2000-2002) emphasised the role played by Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, the man behind Audi’s thirteen Le Mans wins. “I am first and foremost a fan of Le Mans. The Audi era as Tom and I knew it emphasized the importance of continuity in a team aiming to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Fabrice Bourrigaud, director of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum, handed over to Henri Pescarolo, lauding the Frenchman’s four triumphs at the wheel, 33 starts as a driver and 12 as team manager spanning two centuries (1966– 2000). “This centenary celebration is already very moving. And this year Ferrari is back too, the marque that Matra beat fifty years ago."

Winner with Peugeot 30 years ago, Eric Helary went on to join Pescarolo’s team: "My greatest regret is not to have won with Henri. We almost did it in 2005. But I raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans eleven times and it was always a superb experience. My team managers, mechanics, engineers and teammates were all marvellous.”

No mention of Pescarolo would be complete without a word from Gérard Larrousse, the co-driver with whom he shared the win in 1973 and ‘74: “Le Mans was always part of my life. I first came to watch the race in 1958, as a student. By 1966 I  was driving a Ferrari 250 GTO as a trainee driver and in 1973 I won the race at the wheel of a Matra and again in 1978 as Renault-Alpine team manager.”

Frenchman Yannick Dalmas shares the national record for the most wins with Henri Pescarolo. His special memory dates back 30 years: “If I had to choose a memory of Le Mans, it would be the 1992 win, because it was also Peugeot’s first. I am humbly grateful to be part of the history of this race.”

Romain Dumas, the only driver at the show to be on the grid this year, had the last word: “I mounted the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium in 2007 with Henri and in 2010 with Dr Ulrich. This year will be my 23rd time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it’s just as exciting as the first.”  

PHOTO (LOUIS MONNIER/ACO): PARIS EXPO (FRANCE), RETROMOBILE SHOW, TUESDAY 31 JANUARY 2023 - A friendly gathering of 24 Hours of Le Mans winners. Left to right: Emanuele Pirro, Tom Kristensen, Pierre Fillon (President of the ACO), Fabrice Bourrigaud (24 Hours of Le Mans Museum director), Eric Helary, Gérard Larrousse, Yannick Dalmas, Henri Pescarolo and Romain Dumas. French driver Jean-Pierre Jarier (between Henri Pescarolo and Romain Dumas), who has 15 Le Mans starts to his name (best result: second in 1977).