Roger Federer's Surprise Appearance: Waving the French Flag at the 2025 Le Mans Kick-Off Ceremony
  • 764 views
  • 2 min read

The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans kicked off today, June 14, 2025, with a special guest of honor: none other than tennis legend Roger Federer. The 20-time Grand Slam champion waved the French flag to signal the start of the world-famous endurance race, marking a blend of sporting excellence and emotional resonance at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Sixty-two cars roared to life as Federer waved the tricolor, commencing a grueling 24-hour battle across three categories: Hypercar, LMP2, and LMGT3. This year's race features a star-studded lineup, including former Formula 1 drivers like Jenson Button, Robert Kubica, Kevin Magnussen, Mick Schumacher, and Romain Grosjean, adding even more global attention to the prestigious event.

Before the main event, fans were treated to a day of high-octane excitement, including the Ford Mustang Challenge and the Road to Le Mans series. Around midday, teams participated in a brief but crucial warm-up session, their final chance to dial in setups and adapt to the weather conditions. The pre-race ceremony ramped up the spectacle with a helicopter delivering the French flag and a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise, building anticipation to a fever pitch before Federer officially started the race at 4 p.m. local time.

The Hypercar class sees the return of Aston Martin to the top tier for the first time since 2011, fielding two modified Valkyries. Cadillac locked out the front row in qualifying, with the Jota-run Cadillacs leading the field at the start, aiming to be the first American manufacturer to win outright since Ford in 1969. Last year's winner, Ferrari, faced challenges in qualifying, starting further down the grid. Porsche, with its Penske Motorsport-run 963s, is also a strong contender, seeking its 20th Le Mans victory. Toyota, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first Le Mans visit, hopes to secure its sixth victory despite starting from the middle of the pack.

In LMP2, all 17 entries utilize the ORECA 07 chassis, promising fierce competition. The LMGT3 class makes its Le Mans debut this year with 24 entries from iconic brands like Ferrari, BMW, Corvette, Mercedes-AMG, Ford, and McLaren.

The race is being broadcast live on various platforms worldwide, including Discovery+, Eurosport, TNT Sports, and FIA WEC TV, allowing fans across the globe to witness every moment of the action. In France, L'Équipe is providing free-to-view live coverage of the race.


Writer - Sanya Gupta
Curious and detail-oriented, Sanya is drawn to investigative reporting, uncovering hidden truths, and has a strong passion for sports. She diligently learns fact-checking, source verification, and navigating public records to illuminate important local issues. Sanya, also an avid sports enthusiast, is committed to upholding journalistic integrity, providing her community with accurate, unbiased information, even when challenging established narratives.
Advertisement

Latest Post


In a stunning turn of events, seven-time French champions Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 due to ongoing financial woes. The decision, confirmed by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), the financial watchdog of French football, ...
  • 358 views
  • 2 min

Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea's striker, has been handed a two-match ban following his red card incident during their recent Club World Cup match against Flamengo. The ban was extended by FIFA's disciplinary committee, deeming the foul serious and warrant...
  • 397 views
  • 2 min

The first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between England and India concluded in a dramatic five-wicket victory for the home side at Headingley, leaving India to rue costly fielding errors that ultimately paved the way for England's hist...
  • 277 views
  • 2 min

The world of French football is reeling as seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon have been officially relegated to Ligue 2 due to severe financial irregularities. The decision, handed down by the French Professional Football League (LFP) on Tuesday, June...
  • 405 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
Ben Duckett's spectacular innings spearheaded England's remarkable pursuit of 371 against India at Headingley, securing a thrilling five-wicket victory in the first Test of the series on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. This win marks England's second-highest...
  • 346 views
  • 2 min

The Chicago Blackhawks are heading into the 2025 NHL Draft week with a clear objective: to accelerate their rebuild. Possessing a significant amount of draft capital, including 10 picks in the 2025 draft alone, General Manager Kyle Davidson is report...
  • 450 views
  • 2 min

The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly looking to trade forward Viktor Arvidsson to create much-needed cap space. Arvidsson, 32, is entering the final year of his two-year, $8 million contract, carrying a $4 million AAV cap hit. While he has a no-movemen...
  • 255 views
  • 2 min

The expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted across 11 cities in the United States, has already delivered a series of unexpected results, shaking up the established hierarchy of global club football. With a new 32-team format, mirroring the FIFA Wor...
  • 402 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 SportsBuzz360