24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 – British Classic welcome to feature Ferrari

This year, the organization has not been original … but who can blame them? “The excitement caused by Ferrari’s official return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans has led us to choose this manufacturer as our theme car this year”explains Richard Totee.

And with good reason, the famous Italian company is returning to the queen’s category in the Sarthe after a 50-year absence, which won nine victories in the general classification between 1949 and 1965. Only Audi and Porsche have done better.

” The choice of Ferrari will be accompanied by the tribute that we wanted to pay, in this year that promises to be unique.continued Richard Totee. Tribute to Chenard and Walker, winner of the first edition, in 1923. “If this manufacturer is gone, there is certainly a Society of Friends of Chenard & Walker, continues the new president of Classic British Welcome. We are getting closer to it: the brand will not be forgotten through our organization and the exhibition of at least one example of the collection, which seemed important to us”.

If Ferrari will therefore be the theme of the car of this 2023 edition, what about its sponsor? It will only be Gérard Larrousse, who this year will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Matra, with Henri Pescarolo… and the executioner of Ferrari in 1973!

Gérard Larrousse took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times, winning the race twice as a driver – in 1973 and 1974 with Matra and Henri Pescarolo – then once as boss of Renault Sport, in 1978.

Another reason for the satisfaction of the Organizing Committee: the British Classic of Saint-Saturnin 2023 will be placed under the general patronage of Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile-Club de l’Ouest.