Le Mans, 13th June

An exceptional flagman today at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 77th edition of the oldest and most prestigious endurance race was started by Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, invited by the ACO to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first overall victory by a car from Maranello, the one gained with the 166 MM with Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon in 1949. Together with Montezemolo the French Prime Minister François Fillon and ACO President Jean Claude Plassart started the race.

Before he started the race Luca di Montezemolo walked down the grid to greet all the participants, especially the drivers racing the ten 430 GT, making Ferrari the most represented brand in this edition of Le Mans. Montezemolo, greeted by the spectators, threw several hats into the crowd.



"I'm extremeley honoured by the possibility to start this fantastic race,representing the essence of the spirit of competition we love so much at Ferrari," Montezemolo said before leaving Le Mans. "It was a great feeling here and I will always remember it with pleasure, with this flag I received on this wonderful day." Montezemolo received the French flag with today's date, a tradition for all the flagmen at Le Mans.