Kristensen Named 24H Le Mans Grand Marshal; Toyoda Honored

Tom Kristensen has been named as the Grand Marshal for next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans while Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has been awarded the Spirit of Le Mans.

Nine-time Le Mans winner Kristensen, the most successful driver at the French classic, will lead the 62-car field on the formation lap ahead of the race start on June 10.

The Dane, who previously served as Grand Marshal in 2015, was last year appointed as an ambassador for the event’s 2023 centenary celebrations.

Other recent Grand Marshals at Le Mans include former drivers Gerard Larrousse, Derek Bell, Emanuele Pirro and Hurley Haywood.

Toyoda, meanwhile, is the latest recipient of the Spirit of Le Mans award which recognizes people who “embody the values of endurance racing” including team and manufacturer directors.

The factory Toyota Gazoo Racing team has won the last five Le Mans editions while Toyoda himself comes from a strong motorsport background, having previously driven at the Nürburgring 24 and last weekend’s Fuji 24 Hours.

“I am deeply honored to reward Tom Kristensen and Akio Toyoda in this manner and thank them most sincerely for accepting to be here,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“These key figures are a perfect illustration of what the 24 Hours of Le Mans stands for: innovation, perseverance, success and forward thinking.

“Tom is a living legend of the world’s greatest endurance race and has been a precious ambassador over the last year.

“Akio Toyoda honors us with his presence at our 100th-anniversary celebrations.

“We are delighted to present the Spirit of Le Mans trophy to the chairman of a company that embodies the values that we defend. Now, let the race begin.”