A Unique Alliance with 2025 Le Mans Classic

How did the idea for this alliance between your two organizations come about?

Gérard SAILLANT: This project stems from a long-standing relationship between Paris Brain Institute and the automotive world. When I was Chairman of the Medical Commission of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), my close friend Jean Todt and I had the idea to create an institute dedicated to spinal cord injuries, which racing drivers are especially vulnerable to. However, just like in motorsport, we quickly realized that "repairing the bodywork" wasn’t enough; we needed to understand how to repair the engine—the brain. Twenty years later, the Paris Brain Institute is a global leader in neuroscience, supported by numerous prestigious supporters. Among them is Richard Mille, a major donor of the Institute and a historic partner of Le Mans Classic. When Pierre, Richard, and I met, we quickly saw the opportunity to bridge our worlds to tackle a major societal challenge where neuroscience can play a key role: road safety.

Pierre FILLON: Indeed, our shared history is a rich one. Le Mans Classic celebrates the history and passion of motorsport, but we also want the event to embody strong values and commitments. By joining forces with Paris Brain Institute, we can raise awareness among a wide audience while supporting research that has the potential to shape the future.

What commonalities do you see between your respective fields?

Gérard SAILLANT: First, I see this as a story about people—like Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher, who, along with others and myself, founded Paris Brain Institute with the ambition of addressing a public health challenge. Beyond these strong personal ties, what truly unites us is the concept of long-term vision. Scientific research, like endurance racing, requires perseverance, meticulous effort management, and strong ambition. Every victory, whether scientific or athletic, is the result of years of collective and rigorous work, all aimed at pushing boundaries to achieve tangible and innovative results.

Pierre FILLON: I completely agree. In motorsport, it’s not just about being fast but also about perseverance and adaptability. Long-duration races like Le Mans Classic or the 24 Hours of Le Mans are true tests of endurance, where teams must manage their energy and resources over a long period. This capacity for endurance and pushing limits in demanding environments is at the core of what we do.

Can you tell us more about the project supported by this partnership?

Gérard SAILLANT: The funds raised during 2025 Le Mans Classic will support the research of Thomas Andrillon, a scientist at Paris Brain Institute. He studies the brain mechanisms involved in hypovigilance—moments when our attention wanes at the wheel, often without us realizing it. The ultimate goal is to develop tools to reduce the risk of accidents caused by fatigue. This is a critical issue, as drowsiness is one of the leading causes of road accidents.

Pierre FILLON: This topic is fundamental for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. We organize multi-day races where vigilance is a key component of driver safety. Supporting research aimed at understanding and preventing fatigue at the wheel aligns perfectly with our commitments.

What message would you like to convey to Le Mans Classic attendees?

Pierre FILLON: We hope this partnership raises awareness among spectators about the importance of vigilance at the wheel, while showing them that everyone can contribute, even on a small scale, to support research that brings hope. With just €2, together, we can make a significant collective impact.

Gérard SAILLANT: We also want to remind people that science, like sport, is a collective adventure. By choosing to add this optional donation when purchasing tickets, spectators directly support research that will save lives. It’s a simple but essential gesture.

Any final thoughts?

Gérard SAILLANT: Thank you to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Richard Mille for giving us this opportunity. This partnership perfectly illustrates what we can achieve by combining our expertise for the common good.

Pierre FILLON: We’re proud to collaborate with Paris Brain Institute. Together, we’re showing that motorsport can be more than a passion—it can be a driver of societal progress.