Tom Kristensen named Grand Marshal; Akio Toyoda Spirit of Le Mans
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) has revealed the names of the two personalities to be honoured at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary (10-11 June 2023), round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Akio Toyoda, 2023 Spirit of Le Mans
The Spirit of Le Mans Trophy hails the men and women who embody the values of endurance racing: involvement, commitment, teamwork and sporting endeavour. This year, the award goes to Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota is the fourth manufacturer to have chalked up five straight wins after Ferrari, Porsche and Audi. The marque has also achieved eight pole positions (1999, 2014, 2017–2022) and has held the circuit lap record since 2017, when Kamui Kobayashi recorded a time of 3:14.791 (average speed of 251.882 kph).
Tom Kristensen, Centenary Grand Marshal
A 24 Hours of Le Mans win is the highlight of many drivers’ career. Tom Kristensen’s first Le Mans win was the launchpad for an outstanding run that took him to the pinnacle of endurance racing for almost two decades. At the 2022 race, the record nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was appointed as Ambassador for the Centenary celebrations. The next logical step was, therefore, to confer the role of Grand Marshal to “Mr Le Mans” himself. Kristensen will have the privilege of guiding the 62 cars through the formation lap for the Centenary race – round 4 of this season’s FIA World Endurance Championship – shortly before 16:00 on 10 June.
Click HERE for the all the key times and schedule for next week's 24 Hours of Le Mans.