Le Mans Welcomes Rebel F1 Manufacturers

Le Mans 24 Hours Race organizers have picked up on the current F1 crisis and suggested that they are willing to discuss new technical rules with the Formula One breakaway manufacturers should the latter decide to join the famous endurance competition.

The first official to make such a suggestion was Remy Brouard, general manager of the organizing body Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The Frenchman is also heading the Europe based Le Mans Series, a championship comprised of 6 endurance races and whose overall winners are granted automatic entries to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in June.

“The more the better. They are welcome here. If they want to make proposals, we will listen,” Brouard said this weekend, shortly after the chequered flag was waved over the 77th edition of the famous event.

The links between the Formula One manufacturers and Le Mans Series seemed even more tightened following the presence of several F1 figures at the Circuit de la Sarthe last weekend. The official starter of this year's race was none other than Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo – whose company entered 10 cars in the GT2 class, for 8 different teams – as the Italian official was also joined by Formula One team manager Stefano Domenicali.

Also, several drivers currently part of the F1 roster – test/reserve or official ones – have constantly contested in the Le Mans race. Sebastien Bourdais, Alexander Wurz, Christian Klien and Marc Gene are only a few of them. Two time F1 champion Fernando Alonso was also spotted at Le Mans last weekend.