An exceptional 11th edition, the continuation of the celebration of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, more than 230,000 spectators expected and more than 800 racing cars prepared... figures that make the head spin. This new edition of Le Mans Classic therefore deserved a starter worthy of the name and of this edition, in the person of Rafael Nadal.

Le Mans Classic

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is proud to announce that Roger Federer, the revered champion and global sporting icon, will don the mantle of official starter at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans, the fourth round of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, at 16:00 on Saturday 14 June.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Roger Federer has left an indelible mark on sporting history with an outstanding record of 20 Grand Slam&reg; titles and 310 weeks as world number one, and a style of play that has captivated generations of fans. Beyond his achievements, Federer exemplifies elegance, respect and dedication&thinsp;&ndash;&thinsp;values that mirror the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has also been a long-standing Rolex Testimonee.

Each year, the role of official starter is given to a well-known international personality whose presence adds to the unique allure of the legendary race. Hence, in 2025, Roger Federer will lower the flag to start the world&rsquo;s greatest endurance test, an occasion that promises to be filled with emotion.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest: &ldquo;It will be a tremendous privilege to welcome Roger Federer as the official starter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His influence extends far beyond tennis. He is a living legend, admired as much for his achievements as for his human qualities. His involvement will further boost the appeal of this year&rsquo;s race, which is already gearing up to be outstanding.&rdquo;

Roger Federer: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a huge honour to have been invited to start the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an iconic but extremely gruelling race. I&rsquo;ve always been fascinated by the commitment, precision and resilience it demands. Being at the heart of this emblematic event will be a remarkable experience.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Continuing a long tradition of honouring the greatest figures in sport and culture, Roger Federer&rsquo;s appearance will bring an additional layer of excitement to an event already eagerly awaited by fans across the globe.

<h4>FINAL FEW TICKETS AVAILABLE!</h4>

Enjoy the free practice, qualifying and new-look Hyperpole sessions before the trackside concerts! Ticket prices start at &euro;23 for students and &euro;62 for the Green Ticket offer, designed to encourage sustainable mobility.

<a href="https://ticket.24h-lemans.com/selection/event/date?productId=10229239928157&amp;gtmStepTracking=true&amp;lang=en">&gt;&gt;&gt; TICKETS &lt;&lt;&lt;</a>

Roger Federer to flag the start of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans

Genesis Magma Racing has lifted the veil on the GMR-001 Hypercar, which combines design and Korean heritage. Previewed ahead of the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the car marks Genesis' entry into the hypercar category, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours from 2026.

The Korean manufacturer is building on its &ldquo;Athletic Elegance&rdquo; design philosophy to present a prototype that is both sleek and sculptural. With its performance-oriented design, the GMR-001 embodies a new vision of motor sport, in which form meets endurance demands. &quot;The GMR-001 Hypercar, like any race car, is a sculpture shaped by the constraints of efficiency and performance, combined with the Genesis design DNA,&quot;&nbsp;explains Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis Creative Director. 
Genesis&#39; signature dual-line lighting extends to the front and rear, ensuring a strong visual identity and optimum night-time visibility, essential for 24-hour events.

<h2>A livery inspired by Korean culture</h2>

The livery of the GMR-001 plays with gradations ranging from Magma orange to a deep red, echoing the heat of the engine and the Doppler effect of the sound of the twin-turbo V8. The Korean alphabet lettering of &ldquo;Magma&rdquo; (마그마) is integrated into the rear, fusing modernity and heritage.

Although the car&#39;s full specification is still confidential, Genesis has confirmed that the GMR-001&#39;s chassis and hybrid powertrain have been developed in partnership with ORECA Motorsport. Particular attention has been paid to aerodynamics, with a flat floor, integrated scoops and a sculpted parabolic line all designed to optimise performance over long distances.

<h2>A remarkable debut in the ELMS</h2>

Prior to its official entry in the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship in 2026, Genesis Magma Racing is making its debut in the European Le Mans Series with an Oreca 07 LMP2 entered by IDEC Sport. The team of Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella finished second overall in the 4 Hours of Barcelona and first in the LMP2 class. &quot;Today marks an important milestone for Genesis Magma Racing with the presentation of the GMR-001 Hypercar, our livery and racing suits,&quot;&nbsp;said Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal. &quot;We&#39;re not just building a racing team; we&#39;re building a legacy.&quot;

To carry Genesis&#39; ambitions high, the team will be able to count on three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Andr&eacute; Lotterer and four-time Sebring 12 Hours winner Luis &ldquo;Pipo&rdquo; Derani. &quot;Putting this combination together made me realise just how exciting this opportunity is,&quot;&nbsp;says Andr&eacute; Lotterer. &quot;It embodies Genesis&#39; commitment to design and performance. You can feel the pride in every detail. Racing for Genesis Magma Racing is a real honour. I can&#39;t wait to push the GMR-001 to its limits on legendary circuits like Le Mans, Daytona and many others.&quot;

With a strikingly designed hypercar, real ambitions and major partners, Genesis Magma Racing is putting the Le Mans 24 Hours at the heart of its strategy. The GMR-001 Hypercar, expected on the grid in 2026, will be the on-track embodiment of Korean expertise, combining innovation, identity and technical excellence.

Genesis Magma Racing unveils the livery of its GMR-001 Hypercar

McLaren Racing is set to join the Hypercar grid for the 2027 season of the FIA WEC Endurance World Championship, with aspirations of a triumphant return to 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This strategic decision marks a clear statement of intent: McLaren is ready to rekindle the glory days of its endurance racing past. Thirty years after its Le Mans victory, the iconic British marque &ndash; famed for its bold papaya orange livery &ndash; is aiming for a comeback worthy of its illustrious legacy at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

In that short but impactful statement, Zak Brown confirmed McLaren&rsquo;s return to the world of endurance racing &ndash; reviving a deep-rooted connection with both the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1995, the team stormed to victory on its Le Mans d&eacute;but with the McLaren F1 GTR. That triumph, along with wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 in 1975, earned McLaren the prestigious Triple Crown of motorsport &ndash; an honour claimed by only a select few. 
So this new Hypercar campaign, launching in 2027, is far more than a technical venture. It&rsquo;s a bold return to the pursuit of excellence &ndash; and glory.

<h2>A star-studded Hypercar field</h2>

McLaren will join the ever more impressive field of manufacturers competing in the premier league of endurance racing. It will follow <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/genesis-takes-the-wraps-of-its-gmr-001-hypercar-59196" target="_blank">Genesis Magma Racing</a>, set to enter in 2026, and make its d&eacute;but alongside <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ford-in-the-top-class-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-in-2027-59293" target="_blank">Ford</a>, also confirmed for 2027.

The arrival of these high-profile competitors is a testament to the ever-growing allure of the FIA WEC&rsquo;s Hypercar class and the 24 Hours of Le Mans &ndash; a stage where the world&rsquo;s biggest automotive names battle for supremacy at motorsport&rsquo;s most iconic race.

McLaren Racing to join the Hypercar fray in 2027

At this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans (11–15 June), the Automobile Club de l’Ouest will be tipping its hat at two eminent motorsport personalities.

<h2>Yannick Dalmas, Grand Marshal of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans</h2>

Four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Yannick Dalmas will have the honour of setting the pace for the 62 cars on the grid during the starting procedure on Saturday 14 June, shortly before 4&nbsp;p.m. 
 
The distinguished ex-Formula One driver triumphed at Le Mans with four different manufacturers: Peugeot in 1992, Porsche in 1994, McLaren in 1995, and BMW in 1999. 
Following a single-seater racing career, including Formula One, he went on to become an endurance racing specialist. Several generations of racing drivers have benefited from his wealth of experience, which he shares as a consultant to race teams and as an FIA ambassador. As Grand Marshal, Yannick Dalmas will contribute his undying passion and immense know-how to the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

<h2>Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo, Spirit of Le Mans 2025</h2>

Every year, the Spirit of Le Mans trophy is awarded to someone who embodies the values of endurance racing: commitment, passion, team spirit and perseverance. Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo is this year&rsquo;s recipient. 
As an amateur driver, Fran&ccedil;ois has become an acclaimed figure of endurance racing paddocks in the last decade. He boasts several FIA World Endurance Championship GTE-Am wins and was LMP2 Pro-Am champion in 2022. 
Aside from running a company, Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo is a car collector and accomplished racing driver. An ambassador for the endurance discipline, his unique combination of skills, resilience, humility and determination embodies the spirit of Le Mans. 
 
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&#39;Ouest:&nbsp;&ldquo;We are delighted to pay tribute to Yannick Dalmas and Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo at this year&rsquo;s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Yannick Dalmas is an endurance racing legend who has won Le Mans four times, with four different manufacturers. His track record and his ongoing commitment made him the ideal candidate to be Grand Marshal this year. Fran&ccedil;ois Perrodo represents the Spirit of Le Mans to perfection. A champion amateur driver, he radiates enthusiasm, and his sense of commitment is a real strength in this discipline. We are proud to celebrate their contribution to endurance racing this year.&rdquo;

<h4>LAST CHANCE!</h4>

Enjoy the Practice &amp; Qualifying sessions and the new Hyperpole format and then head to the concert arena for the evening&rsquo;s live music. Tickets are on sale from &euro;23 for students and &euro;62 for Green Tickets, which reward sustainable transport choices.

&gt;&gt;&gt;<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/tickets" target="_blank"> Ticketing</a> &lt;&lt;&lt;

24 Hours of Le Mans 2025: The Automobile Club de l’Ouest shows its appreciation of Yannick

Le Mans Classic 2023

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal has enjoyed a spectacular career with an impressive list of honours - 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at Roland Garros, and more than 1,000 victories to his name. His career has included many successes on French courts, creating a great affection with the French public, who will obviously be delighted to see him again at Le Mans Classic!

A loyal partner and friend of the Richard Mille watch brand, several watches have been developed for Rafael Nadal to accompany him at his tournaments since 2010, the latest being the RM 27-04 Tourbillon. Richard Mille and Rafa share a real friendship, admiration and trust.

Rafael Nadal will kick off the weekend&#39;s festivities at 3.30pm by releasing the young drivers from the Little Big Mans race. At 4pm, he will wave the tricolour flag to give the official Le Mans-style start to grid 1!

24H LE MANS

Rafael Nadal to start the 11th edition of Le Mans Classic

Related News

Roger Federer to flag the start of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans

Genesis Magma Racing unveils the livery of its GMR-001 Hypercar

McLaren Racing to join the Hypercar fray in 2027

24 Hours of Le Mans 2025: The Automobile Club de l’Ouest shows its appreciation of Yannick

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