Former pro basketball player and motorsport enthusiast Tony Parker has been named as the official starter for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual which takes place this weekend (13/14th June). The event brings together the world’s best professional drivers and sim racers for 24 hours of virtual racing around the legendary French track.

In the wake of a 2024 season punctuated by progress and even a late podium finish, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is heading into 2025 with determination. The Peugeot 9X8 has been fine-tuned across this year's races and is seeking to vie for top spots with a measure of consistency. Fortified with a positive outlook, the engineers and drivers hope to give the best teams a run for their money at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans on 11-15 June.

Last winter,&nbsp;Team Peugeot TotalEnergies executed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/team-peugeot-totalenergies-unveils-the-peugeot-9x8-2024-58439" target="_blank">an ambitious overhaul of the&nbsp;Peugeot 9X8</a>&nbsp;with one goal in mind: to reach the&nbsp;top spots in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and mainly&nbsp;to win the&nbsp;24 Hours of Le Mans. The technical and engineering crews quickly galvinised&nbsp;their&nbsp;efforts and&nbsp;tweaked the&nbsp;9X8 to hold its own against the championship&#39;s major contenders.

The first rounds of the 2024 season proved it was easier said than done. Despite noticeable improvement, the&nbsp;Peugeot 9X8 faced off against fierce competition, namely the&nbsp;Toyota GR010 Hybrid, Ferrari 499P and&nbsp;Porsche 963, three&nbsp;Hypercars that have certainly raised the performance bar.

At the&nbsp;FIA WEC season highlight, the 24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans, the imbalance in respective&nbsp;performance levels was particularly obvious: the two&nbsp;Peugeot 9X8s finished&nbsp;11th and&nbsp;12th overall, trailing the winning Ferrari by two full laps.&nbsp;The&nbsp;result reflected&nbsp;the challenges the team faced against competitors with&nbsp;complete control of their cars and strategies.

<h2>A Promising Season End</h2>

Yet,&nbsp;Team Peugeot TotalEnergies has demonstrated true resilience. The second half of the season saw real progress and&nbsp;constantly improving performances. At the&nbsp;6 Hours of Fuji, the&nbsp;9X8 achieved an impressive&nbsp;fourth place overall finish with the team&#39;s blood, sweat and tears&nbsp;finally bearing fruit. The rise carried through to the last race, the&nbsp;Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain, where&nbsp;Team Peugeot TotalEnergies clinched third&nbsp;place.

Jean-Marc Finot, Stellantis Motorsport Senior VP: The season began under challenging conditions with a car that took time to find its rhythm, but the team never gave up, and we are pleased to end the season with a positive result that marks continuous progress. However, this podium should only be a step toward more consistent results in the top positions.

Though the Peugeot 9X8 hasn&#39;t yet reached the top tier in the FIA WEC hierarchy, the&nbsp;2024 season&nbsp;helped lay a solid foundation for the future.&nbsp;Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is looking to 2025 to parlay progress into consistent performances and enjoy a major payoff at the&nbsp;24 Hours of Le&nbsp;Mans with a much more competitive car.

The 9X8's improvement compels Team Peugeot TotalEnergies to aim high in 2025

In Brussels, at the exhibition center, from November 18 to 22, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and MissionH24, a program in collaboration with H24Project, are participating in this annual benchmark event ''European Hydrogen Week'', which has become a meeting place essential for European and international players.

Organized by Hydrogen Europe, Hydrogen Europe Research, the European Commission and Clean Hydrogen Partnership, European Hydrogen Week is celebrating its fifth edition in 2024. It is clear that both the format and the participants have multiplied and diversified in parallel with the deployment of hydrogen, a crucial energy vector for the energy transition and for industrial decarbonization.

During these five days,&nbsp;from November 18 to 22, hydrogen players are gathered to present, exchange, debate, build.... Industrialists, companies, institutions, elected officials, regions, territories, among other participants, are among the speakers, exhibitors, and visitors to the various sites. We will note the presence of India and Japan, two countries involved in the decarbonization of mobility and industry.

Hall 7 and Hall 11 of the Parc des Expos in Brussels will host the European Hydrogen Week.&nbsp;The ACO and MissionH24 will host a stand in Hall 7, area M20. The H24EVO showcar will allow visitors to see the developments in hydrogen in competition, the solutions chosen by partners to design a prototype dedicated to pure performance in Endurance.

Motor racing and Endurance once again demonstrate the formidable research laboratory that is racing, particularly the 24 Hours of Le Mans. By 2028, a category dedicated to hydrogen prototypes should be included in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship.

The ACO and MissionH24 at the European Hydrogen Week

Le Mans, ignite your senses | The 24 Hours of Le Mans whets more than an appetite for exciting on-track thrills. It’s also an invitation to a culinary journey. Let’s look at some of the eating experiences to be enjoyed at the event.

<h2>Over 60 eateries in&nbsp;2024</h2>

With over 60 eateries spread all over the circuit, the 24 Hours of Le Mans offers an array of delights for all tastes. A wide variety of foods to satisfy the healthiest of appetites: fresh salads, crusty pizzas, scrumptious burgers, sweet and savoury pancakes, cheesy chips, empanadas, donuts, focaccias, tasty grills and even seafood. Each mealtime offers a unique opportunity to taste something just a little different at one of the many stalls.

But whatever you fancy, you simply have to try out these establishments at some point during your stay. At Le Bon B&oelig;uf, race fans can enjoy succulent French beef in a jovial atmosphere. P&#39;tit D&eacute;lice uses fresh, local ingredients in preparing tasty organic buckwheat galettes, sweet cr&ecirc;pes and churros. For those who prefer table service, La Brasserie&rsquo;s staff are keen to share their know-how of traditional Brittany cuisine with discerning diners.

Finally, a visit to La Taverne is almost a ritual for many racegoers. The restaurant has been a fixture here since 1955, welcoming diners eager to enjoy a hearty meal of fresh salad, juicy grilled meat and its generously flavoured and perfectly cooked pork shank.

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<h2>A superb culinary experience</h2>

More exclusive gourmet experiences also await at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The VIP hospitality venues offer visitors an opportunity to sample refined delicacies. The Starter 24 venue at the Karting des 24 Heures du Mans serves local produce in a cosy bistro-style setting.&nbsp;

Looking for a place with a livelier atmosphere? Then the festive Pavillon 24 at the heart of the race village will be right up your street. Le Mans Spirit Club, a stone&rsquo;s throw from the paddock, takes diners on a culinary journey inspired by the countries hosting a round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, with specialities from Italy, Brazil, the USA, Japan and Bahrain. This eatery serves dishes from around the globe all day in an elegant, cosmopolitan setting.

Lovers of French cuisine should head to Panoramic 24 &ndash; on the fourth and sixth floors of the ACO&rsquo;s headquarters &ndash; where the chefs work with the very best local and regional produce. Endurance is the name of the game for the chefs and kitchen staff in these venues too as they serve up meals to visitors at all times of all day and night during the race. Here, VIPs can enjoy something to eat without worrying about the time. Like a driver between two stints, you can even tuck into a plate of chicken and pasta at 3 a.m.!

Food workshops and tasting sessions add a special ingredient to the VIP experience. For instance, a wine producer from south-west France stages a presentation in Panoramic 24, pancakes and ice creams are specially prepared before sweet-toothed visitors, and cocktails are mixed for guests to sip at their leisure. Every year, caterers take up the challenge to innovate with ever more sophisticated dishes. Delighted guests enjoy a culinary experience befitting of the legendary race.

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<a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/hospitality/vip" target="_blank">&gt;&gt;&gt; Find out more about the 24 Hours of Le Mans VIP packages&nbsp;&lt;&lt;&lt;</a>

<h2>Coffee &ndash; a precious stimulant</h2>

Staying awake during the 24 Hours of Le Mans demands coffee.&nbsp; For spectators, a nice espresso or a strong, black coffee is an important ally in keeping on top of the race action. But fans are not the only ones who indulge. Down in the pits, mechanics knock back cup after cup to keep their focus sharp through the night while journalists in the press room also appreciate its benefits as they strive to stay alert to report the latest incidents. Available all around the track, coffee is simply a symbol of resistance!

<h2>The meal table &ndash; where conviviality reigns</h2>

During the French endurance classic, mealtimes aren&rsquo;t simply an opportunity to &ldquo;take on board fuel&rdquo;. They are also a moment of pleasure and conviviality. Whether you sit down for an improvised picnic with friends or join the whole family at a table in the race village, these are precious moments where you can talk about the race, share stories and recall the feats of drivers and teams of the past.

One fine example is a group of friends &ndash; mostly Club ACO members &ndash; from all over France and further afield. Over the last 15 years or so, they have established a tradition of meeting up at the Houx campsite every Friday of race week for a memorable lunch.&nbsp; Each one of them brings a speciality from their own region or country. Laughter and recollections abound as culinary differences become something to be shared and savoured. But, above all, it is an excellent opportunity to strength the special bond that unites these race fans year after year.

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<h2>A chance to sample local delicacies</h2>

A visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans also offers a chance to tempt your tastebuds with some local delicacies that honour the gastronomy of La Sarthe. One of the most renowned products is the famous shortbread biscuit, baked with fresh butter. These biscuits have been made in the Pays de la Loire region since the 17th century and have become a true institution. The biscuit comes in several flavours but all are guaranteed to melt in your mouth! The celebrated manufacturer La Sabl&eacute;sienne even produces&nbsp;<a href="https://boutique.lemans.org/en/delights-flavors/3755-sable-nature-affiche-24h-2024.html" target="_blank">special 24 Hours of Le Mans tins</a>&nbsp;&ndash; perfect for collectors and biscuit lovers!

Another of the region&rsquo;s specialities is of course the potted meat known as Rillettes du Mans. Pouic-Cochon, renowned for its authentic pork-based products, has designed&nbsp;<a href="https://boutique.lemans.org/en/delights-flavors/2186-assortiment-rillettes-24h.html" target="_blank">an original 24 Hours of Le Mans three-pack with new flavours</a>: chorizo, thyme and lemon. These variations bring a new twist to this well-loved favourite with its unique texture and savoury taste.

Sweet-toothed visitors will not be able to resist the chocolates produced by Bellanger. This artisan chocolate maker has produced a unique&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chocolats-bellanger.com/product-category/coffrets-speciaux/les-24-heures-du-mans/" target="_blank">Bolides des Hunaudi&egrave;res</a>&nbsp;collection in honour of the cars that speed down the famous Mulsanne Straight. Each milk chocolate car has a deliciously crisp filling while the dark chocolate models have a tasty butterscotch flavour. Another variety is filled with a select combination of Italian hazelnut praline and peanut praline that conceals an oasis of butterscotch.

Finally, to quench your thirst, &quot;Les Hunaudi&egrave;res&rdquo; by D&eacute;lices et Casteloir is a citrus cordial also inspired by the circuit&rsquo;s celebrated straight. This creation is a tangy, alcohol-free alternative to a fruit liqueur and brings the refreshing zip of citrus fruits to a variety of cocktails and mocktails.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans offers an experience to stimulate all the senses. The smell of food designed to whet the appetite, the pleasure of sitting down to enjoy a meal with family, friends or fellow race fans, and the delight of tasting authentic products create a culinary adventure that brings an extra dimension to the race. Whether you come to Le Mans for the cars or for the atmosphere, there is always a dish, snack or treat to tantalise your tastebuds and make the experience a memorable one.

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<h4>Did you know?</h4>

Since 2019, the ACO has set new targets on sustainable development matters. We have therefore put initiatives into place to reinforce the positive impact of our events on the community. In particular, we select restaurateurs committed to an environmentally friendly approach that benefits the local economy.&nbsp;Our commitment to responsible catering includes reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging farm-to-fork systems which rely on local producers. 
 
We have also entered into a partnership with Les Restos du C&oelig;ur food banks. Through this arrangement, unconsumed food is collected at the end of the event and redistributed to the needy. The amount of food collected has risen from 1567 kg in 2019&nbsp;to a staggering 10.28 tonnes in 2024, highlighting the growing impact of this commitment. This partnership illustrates how sport can aid those less fortunate and how a spectacular sporting occasion like the 24 Hours of Le Mans can become a socially responsible event.

24 Hours of Le Mans: an experience to savour!

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA has just announced the names of its drivers for the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans (11-15 June 2025) and the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season. The American manufacturer will be banking on some very experienced drivers to excel in the Hypercar class.

For its third season in the FIA WEC, Cadillac will be running two cars with Hertz Team JOTA, with Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, S&eacute;bastien Bourdais, Will Stevens, Jenson Button, and Norman Nato be behind the wheel of the #12 and #38 V-Series.Rs. The exact line-up in each car will be confirmed shortly, but this array of talent promises a very exciting season for the manufacturer.

<h2>&ldquo;A formidable line-up&rdquo;</h2>

David Clark, director of JOTA Sport is thrilled about <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/hertz-team-jota-takes-over-the-cadillac-fia-wec-2025-factory-programme-58909" target="_blank">this partnership with Cadillac</a>. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an honour for us to pair with such an iconic automotive manufacturer. When you consider our collective records in the FIA World Endurance Championship, it&rsquo;s very fitting that for the inaugural Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA driver line-up we have such an impressive breadth of world championship-winning talent and experience. Cadillac&rsquo;s pedigree in motorsport speaks for itself, and with these six drivers we will be in a strong position to challenge for race wins. Under the careful watch of ACO (Automobile Club de l&rsquo;Ouest) President Pierre Fillon, WEC continues to go from strength to strength, and with more eyes than ever before on our races, and some incredible talent behind the wheel, we have no doubt that we&rsquo;ll put on a good show next season.&rdquo;

Earl Bamber shares this optimism and points to his strong partnership with Alex Lynn and S&eacute;bastien Bourdais: &ldquo;Joining JOTA is going to be a great step for the Cadillac project. &nbsp;They have really proven what they can do with the Porsche and early interactions with the team have been positive. With me doing both WEC and IMSA, hopefully we can accelerate the learning process because we were quick with Chip Ganassi Racing the last few races of the &rsquo;24 season. Hopefully we can transfer knowledge from that project and continue our strong showing at the end of the year, taking knowledge from their project and combining all that to win races in WEC in 2025. The continuity of Alex, Seb and myself having driven the cars for a couple of years in IMSA and WEC will really lead to a formidable line-up.&rdquo;

With a crew of swift and experienced drivers, and a Hypercar that has proven its worth, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA is determined to be at the forefront in 2025. Let&rsquo;s not forget that Hertz Team JOTA won the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps last May, and the team took this year&rsquo;s FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams ahead of AF Corse and Proton Competition.

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA reveals its 2025 driver line-up

Selected six times for NBA All-Star games, the four-time NBA champion and French team captain showed his passion for the 24 Hours of Le Mans while visiting the event in 2019 and, both during his career and today in everyday life, personifies the true meaning of &lsquo;champion&rsquo;.&nbsp; As someone who has played all over the world, and who is well known for his community spirit and philanthropy, Parker is the perfect personality to fulfil this role. 
Parker will make the world-famous call to the drivers to start their &lsquo;engines&rsquo;, and then wave the French national flag to signal the start of a unique, star-studded and likely action-packed 24 hours of entertainment! 
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A press kit containing press releases, visuals, official poster and a presentation can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.lemans.org/explorer/pdf/courses/2020/24h-lemans-virtual/press-kit.zip">HERE</a>.&nbsp;

All information on the event can also be found on&nbsp;<a href="http://24virtual.lemansesports.com">24virtual.lemansesports.com</a> 
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Photo :&nbsp;IDEC Sport Racing

24H LE MANS

Tony Parker named as official starter for 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual

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The 9X8's improvement compels Team Peugeot TotalEnergies to aim high in 2025

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24 Hours of Le Mans: an experience to savour!

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA reveals its 2025 driver line-up

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