After Brad Pitt, LeBron James and Alain Delon, it’s Zinédine Zidane’s turn to kick off the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Zinédine Zidane, here during the last F1 GP in Miami, will be the “Starter” of the 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. HOCH ZWEI – HOCH ZWEI

The French football legend will kick off the 92nd edition of the no less legendary motor race, on June 15, the organizers announced on Tuesday May 28.

Zinédine Zidane will start the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15 at 4 p.m., the organizers of the legendary car race announced on Tuesday. "Considered as one of the greatest French sportsmen and one of the best players in the history of football, Zinédine Zidane will be the official Starter of the 92nd edition of the 24 Heures du Mans", wrote the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) in a press release.

The ACO recalls that before "Zizou", the endurance event saw many personalities lower the tricolor flag as guest stars , citing Brad Pitt (2016), Rafael Nadal (2018), Alain Delon (1996), Georges Pompidou (1972), Steve McQueen (1971) or last year LeBron James for the centenary.

Zidane : "A legendary race, French pride"

"The 24 Hours of Le Mans is unique. For all those who love motorsport, for the whole world, it is a legendary race. It’is a source of French pride", said Zidane, quoted in the press release.

𝗭𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗭𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗲 has been named starter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!⚽

One of the greatest French sportspeople of all time will wave the French flag to start of the 92nd running of the iconic endurance race on Saturday 15 June at 16:00. #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/wNUJVycjra

— 24 Hours of Le Mans (@24hoursoflemans) May 28, 2024

It will be a "great first time for the 98 world champion to be there", he who says have "lots of images in mind, racing, legendary drivers, incredible stories, but in front of (one's) TV or through the cinema".

Alpine Ambassador

"We couldn't dream of a bigger Starter" to launch these "24 Hours of Le Mans with an exceptional sporting field", greeted Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO.

This is not the former footballer's first foray into motor sport: since February 2023, he has been an "ambassador" d’Alpine, a French team present in F1 and endurance. Before his eyes, 62 cars will start, including 23 from the premier Hypercars category, from nine different brands: Ferrari, Toyota, Cadillac, Peugeot, Porsche, Alpine, Lamborghini, BMW and Isotta Fraschini.< /p>