Triple 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Kazuki Nakajima has been named Grand Marshal for this year’s edition on 15-16 June as Iron Dames founder Deborah Mayer has been awarded The Spirit of Le Mans Trophy.
The current vice-chairman of Toyota GAZOO Racing claimed three consecutive Le Mans victories (2018-20) with the make, having driven for them since they returned to top level sportscar racing with the TS030 Hybrid LMP1 in 2012.
His first Le Mans triumph in 2018 also marked the first of five consecutive victories for Toyota, and his role as Grand Marshal will give him the merit to guide the 62 cars through the formation lap.
Meanwhile, Iron Dames founder Deborah Mayer has been honoured at the upcoming 92nd running of Le Mans for her prominent role in establishing and leading the organisation which promotes female talent not only within sportscar racing, but now in the FRECA single-seater championship.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, said: “I am extremely honoured to welcome Deborah Mayer and Kazuki Nakajima.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to these two people who have contributed so much to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and to motorsport.
“Together they exemplify perseverance, achievement and a passion for endurance.
“Kazuki Nakajima stands out as one of the rare drivers to have claimed three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Meanwhile, Deborah Mayer has been at the forefront of a unique project with Iron Dames, sparking inspiration across the paddock and achieving remarkable success, culminating in Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting’s FIA World Endurance Championship win at the 8 Hours of Bahrain at the end of 2023.”
Speaking to Motorsport Week at the end of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Frey added her thoughts on the growing support of the Iron Dames project:
“We see more and more pink caps around the track – we really feel supported by the fans.
“It also shows that we can really empower females for the sport.
“So yeah, the feedback is amazing and the more successful we can be, the better the results, I think it’s better for everyone [and] better for the fans.
“So [to] all the fans who are supporting us already, thank you very much.”
