24h Le Mans
At 15:00, the world’s leading tennis player lowered the French flag to release the sixty machines entered in this 86th running of the legendary French motorsport marathon. The tradition and protocol of the starting procedure enthral the spectators as much as ever.
For Diana Higbee, singing La Marseillaise on the starting grid of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was her “Superbowl”. Soprano Diana, an ambassador of her home city of Le Mans, was clearly proud to perform the French national anthem a few minutes before the start of the race. The Mozart specialist, whose mother hails from New Zealand and whose father is American, was standing just a few metres away from Rafael Nadal.
The Spaniard had also taken the microphone a few minutes earlier to pronounce the famous words: “Pilotes, démarrez vos moteurs !” [Drivers, start your engines!]. An Army parachutist then descended from the Le Mans skies and handed the official flag to the tennis champion.
Six-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Jacky Ickx, at the wheel of the leading car, escorted the pack through the formation lap as the clock ticked down to 15:00 and the start of this 86th edition.
The race got off to an action-packed start as the #7 Toyota stole the lead from its polesitting #8 sister car, and the #1 Rebellion lost its nose after an early collision.
At 15:24, a few spots of rain were reported on the circuit. Traditions die hard at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Photo: Rafael Nadal brandishes the French tricolore to start the 86th 24 Hours of Le Mans.
