Princess Charlene of Monaco will serve as the official starter for this year’s edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the grand finale of the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season.

Last year, 17-time Grand Slam tennis champion Rafael Nadal waved the grid away, while Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey and actor Brad Pitt have also served as starter in recent years.

“We are delighted and very proud to announce that H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco has accepted to be the starter of the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. “As an accomplished sportswoman, she is the perfect advocate for the promotion of women in motorsport and in society as a whole.

“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has always encouraged women to be involved in all aspects of motor racing. We are not merely following rules or applying quotas, we are showing women that there is a place for them in motorsport. We’re not just talking about hopes and ambitions, we’re talking about taking part here and now, building, doing, living their lives as they wish.”

The 87th annual Le Mans race boasts a 62-strong entry list that includes Kessel Racing’s all-female driver line-up – Rahel Frey, Manuela Gostner and Michelle Gatting - in the LMGTE Am class.