Tom Kristensen has been named the Grand Marshal for the Super Sebring weekend.
The Dane will wave the green flag for both the FIA WEC 1000 Miles of Sebring and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring during WEC and IMSA’s joint race weekend.
Kristensen, nicknamed ‘Mr. Le Mans’, is one of the most successful drivers in the history of endurance racing. He took a record nine wins at Le Mans with Audi, as well as a further six victories in the Twelve Hours of Sebring. Kristensen’s racing career is closely tied to the Florida circuit and the WEC, as he took his last Sebring win in 2012 during the first WEC race ever held. Sebring’s third turn was also renamed in his honour and is now known as Kristensen Corner.
Last year’s Grand Marshal was Allan McNish, Kristensen’s long time partner and team-mate with which he won the 2013 World Endurance Championship and two of his nine wins at La Sarthe.
“It’s a great honor to be named Grand Marshal for both events and I can’t wait to be back at Sebring,” said Kristensen. “The particular challenges of this historic track are still clear in my mind, and the event always has such fantastic competitors and fans!
I consider myself very lucky to have won the 12-hour race seven times and have so many great memories of incredible battles over the years. You have to be tough to win at Sebring – both the car and the driver – and the slogan “Respect the bumps” is one of the truest in all motorsport.”
Gérard Neveu, FIA WEC CEO, added: “There are many endurance drivers who have achieved success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Sebring, but there is only one Mr Le Mans!
Tom’s incredible career speaks for itself and his record number of victories at Sebring as well as Le Mans make him the perfect Grand Marshal for this second consecutive SuperSebring event. We are truly delighted that he has agreed to take on this role, and we know that he will be greeted by everyone around the track with the respect and admiration that he deserves.”
John Doonan, President of IMSA said: “Tom Kristensen earned legendary status in endurance racing through his many successes at both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts. His records at both events may never be broken, making him a natural choice for this prestigious honor.
We’re proud to welcome Tom as the Grand Marshal for SuperSebring 2020. With our recent historic announcement of convergence at the Rolex 24, Tom is the perfect example of a driver who has competed on both major stages that will soon become one common top platform.”