Share

Brad Pitt to start Le Mans race

Le Mans - American actor Brad Pitt will wave the starting flag for this year's Le Mans 24 hour car race on June 18, organisers of the French endurance race confirmed on Friday.

"Proud and very happy that the start of #LeMans24 2016 will be given by #BradPitt, eager for him to share the legend of this race," wrote Pierre Fillon, president of l'Automobile Club de l'Ouest (Automobile Club of the West), organisers of the event since its inauguration in 1923, on his Twitter account.

The 52-year-old American actor and producer had long been tipped to star in a film, "Go Like Hell", directed by Michael Mann and alongside Tom Cruise, which would have had the backdrop of the Le Mans circuit and the rivalry between American Carroll Shelby and Ferrari. But that project never found funding and seems to have stalled.

Pitt follows French President Francois Hollande who last year waved the starting flag, with French actors Alain Delon (1996) and Luc Besson (2002) having previously done the honours at the prestigious endurance race.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE