LeBron James gets his name on the prestigious list.
LeBron James will be waving the flag in France this weekend. PDO
Basketball superstar LeBron James will send the drivers off at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 38-year-old American waves the starting flag when the cars arrive on the main straight of the Circuit de la Sarthe at 16:00 local time, or 17:00 Finnish time.
James doesn’t shoulder just any ceremonial duty. Waving the starting flag at a major race in the motorsport world is a great honor. The anniversary of Le Mans brings added value to Saturday’s performance. The competition is celebrating its centenary.
The four-time NBA champion, all-time leading scorer and two-time Olympic champion joins the prestigious club. Throughout history, the departure ticket has been waved, for example Fernando Alonso, Rafael Nadal, Brad Pitt, Georges Pompidou and Henry Ford II.
There are no Finns participating in this year’s festive competition. JJ Lehto has won the Le Mans general competition as the only Finnish driver. The winning years were 1995 and 2005.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans turns 100 years old. EPA / AOP