At Le Mans 24 Hours, Korean Flag Takes Its Place and K-Culture Shines

At the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, on Friday, where the Le Mans 24 Hours was held, 18 hypercars completed a warm-up lap of the 13.626-kilometer circuit and lined up at the starting line. Tens of thousands of spectators packing the venue cheered all at once.

At 4 p.m., the venue's cameras focused on Sir Mark Cavendish, the cycling star serving as the official starter of the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the circuit fell silent again. After a few seconds of quiet, the starter waved the checkered flag to signal the start, and the 18 hypercars began the race with breathtaking exhaust notes. The Rolex clock on the scoreboard, set at 24:00:00, also began its countdown.

The Le Mans 24 Hours, the world's most prestigious endurance race, is a competition in which three drivers take turns circling the 13.626-kilometer circuit for 24 hours. The winner is not the fastest car but the one that travels the farthest distance.

In this year's race, Genesis, Hyundai Motor's premium brand, participated as a newcomer team. At the opening ceremony held ahead of the race, 22 national flags of the participating manufacturers' countries were displayed, and the Korean flag also took its place proudly for the first time.

The Le Mans 24 Hours, which runs for 24 hours, is a festival for motorsport fans. Since it is not a race decided in split seconds, spectators spend relaxing time, drinking beer and napping in various spots with the exhaust notes of the racing cars as background music. Many fans bring campers to eat and sleep outdoors, and many spectators visit the venue with their young children to enjoy various parades and concerts. The total number of spectators gathering at the Le Mans 24 Hours is estimated at around 300,000.

Genesis drew great popularity among motorsport fans. Visitors flocked to Genesis Village as well. Five vehicles were displayed there, including the GV60 Magma, the electrified G80 model, the electrified GV70 model, and the Magma GT3 Concept. At the space selling brand goods, items such as hats and bags from Genesis Magma Racing were sold. Visitors who came to see Genesis, the newcomer team that made its debut at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours, packed the area throughout both days.

Genesis presented K-culture to motorsport officials and spectators, drawing on the Korean philosophy of hospitality known as 'guest' culture. At Genesis Hospitality, the brand's studio and showroom, dishes such as seasoned octopus, kimchi pancake, bulgogi, and bibimbap were served for lunch and dinner.

The organizers' interest in Genesis was also keen. When the No. 19 car succeeded in finishing the race, an unusual feat for a newcomer team, the broadcast cameras filmed the No. 19 car crossing the finish line and slowly performing its ceremony for a longer time than other cars. Spectators sent strong support for the No. 19 car's finish with applause and cheers.

Meanwhile, on this year's Le Mans 24 Hours podium of first through third place, Toyota, which challenged for victory for the first time in four years since 2022, took first and third place. BMW finished second.