NBA icon LeBron James kickstarts 24 Hours of Le Mans in France as an honorary starter

NBA legend LeBron James brought star power to the world’s oldest active endurance racing event when he started Le Mans on Saturday.

While the NBA world awaits the Lakers superstar’s decision on his future on the field, James spent the weekend in France to watch the iconic race.

Not only did he get an excellent viewing spot, but James also had the privilege of being this year’s honorary starter.

The 38-year-old kicked off the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday by waving the French flag.

This year’s race marks the 100th anniversary of the event at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Earlier this week, NASCAR announced it would bring in the global basketball sensation to ring in the milestone of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.

James claimed it was an honor to be selected to be the starter for the milestone race.

“There’s nothing like seeing and experiencing sport at the highest level,” James said of his participation in this year’s race.

“It is an honor for me to be a part of this historic moment in motorsport and to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest sporting events in the world. I look forward to kicking off this iconic race and watching the world class drivers compete on the world stage of Le Mans.”

Being a starter is an honor bestowed on prestigious figures, with the four-time NBA champion joining ranks full of celebrities, including actor Steve McQueen (1971), French President George Pompidou (1972) and Oscar-winning actor-producer Brad Pit (2016). ).

Many other sports stars have also been welcomed into the role, including 22-time grand slam-winning tennis star Rafael Nadal (2018) and Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso (2014).

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer wasn’t the only standout figure at the start of the race, either.

Ferrari’s Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc was also spotted trying to push his way through the crowd as fans showered the Monegasque driver.

Leclerc looked smart and chic in an all black look with a matching blazer and trousers and t-shirt underneath.

Actor Patrick Dempsey brought the Hollywood factor to the event as he walked the track.

The Disenchanted star wore a Tag Heuer cap and sporty Hugo Boss quarter zip for the occasion.

While Dempsey brought the star power to the guest list, Michael Fassbender brought it to the track.

The Irishman actually took part in the race this weekend for the second time in a Porsche 911.

Fassbender will appear for German team Proton Competition, alongside Austria’s Richard Lietz and Estonia’s Martin Rump, and would rather take a race win than win an Oscar.

The 46-year-old German-Irish actor was a surprise entrant in last year’s race, finishing 51st out of 62 teams, after a grueling four years of training.

Alicia Vikander, Michael’s wife, and their child, who was born in 2021, are likely to watch from the stands as the “little family” travels “everywhere” together.

Thousands of spectators lined the grid for the race’s start at 3pm on Saturday and the X-Men star, whose love of racing has long existed, hopes to finish higher than last year’s race, where he crashed three times .

That’s what the actor said earlier Eurosport that, “Acting is something that is my job. I’m more used to it and feel at home in it – it’s like my natural office, but racing was always my first dream as a young boy.

‘It’s quite difficult. I feel like acting is definitely my homework. I feel most comfortable in it, but this is the original dream.’

The 12 Years A Slave actor added: “A win at Le Mans, I’d take over an Oscar.”