Sanofi and McLaren Racing Unite Against Meningitis for Le Mans 24 Hours
Paris, France — In a significant announcement made today at Sanofi’s global headquarters, the healthcare giant is intensifying its partnership with McLaren Racing to combat meningitis at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in 2025. The initiative will involve the display of the Meningitis Flag on the #59 McLaren, racing in the LMGT3 class, symbolizing global efforts against this deadly disease.
The Meningitis Flag, co-created with para-athletes and the Meningitis Research Foundation, will not only adorn the car but will also be prominently featured on the race suits of drivers Grégoire Saucy, Sebastien Baud, and James Cottingham throughout the race weekend. This partnership stresses the need for increased awareness and vaccination, as bacterial meningitis can be fatal within just 24 hours.
“Le Mans is the ultimate race against time — just like our fight against meningitis,” stated Thomas Triomphe, Sanofi’s Executive Vice President for vaccines. He emphasized the urgency behind the campaign, highlighting that someone contracts meningitis every 15 seconds worldwide.
Louise McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer of McLaren Racing, expressed pride in collaborating with Sanofi on this initiative, marking a poignant moment as they commemorate 30 years since McLaren’s 1995 victory at Le Mans.
The partnership underscores a broader commitment to excellence in health outcomes, with McLaren leveraging its technical expertise to assist Sanofi in enhancing operational efficacy. "This collaboration is more than a visual campaign; it’s a call to action for global awareness," remarked Vinny Smith, CEO of the Meningitis Research Foundation.
As the racing team prepares to hit the Le Mans track, the Meningitis Flag aims to spark critical conversations and disseminate essential information about the disease, ultimately saving lives and supporting those affected.
Images courtesy of United Autosports
