Meet Benjamin, winner of the Cadillac X AUTOhebdo video competition for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Congratulations on winning the Cadillac Contest at 24 Hours of Le MansCan you introduce yourself to AUTOhebdo readers?

My name is Benjamin, I'm 25 years old and I'm from Brittany. I've been passionate about cars since I was little, without really knowing the source of this attraction. I remember that my mother had a miniature of a Porsche 356 burgundy color. Otherwise, it might come from my uncle, an automotive engineer at General Motors, a nice nod (Cadillac belongs to GM. Editor's note)! In college, I designed cars: my ambition was to become an automotive designer, then an engineer, but I realized that mathematics was not for me. (Laughs) So I fell back on marketing and content creation, until I graduated with a Master's degree in digital strategy.

Have you ever been on a racetrack?

Yes! In 2021, I knocked on the door of a Porsche dealership almost every day, trying to land an internship. And it worked! I was offered the chance to accompany a team on the Val de Vienne circuit in the Porsche Sprint Challenge. I was supposed to create immersive content, as will be the case this weekend at Le Mans with Cadillac, but I ended up having to help the mechanics, particularly with cleaning the wheels. I still remember the state of my hands...

What does Le Mans represent to you?

I've been watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans since I was a kid. The retirement of Toyota on the last lap in 2016, it's a moment I'll never forget. In my eyes, it's more than a race: it's a monument. As French people, we should be proud; it's a bit like the Eiffel Tower of motorsport! I've always dreamed of experiencing this race from the inside, to feel the emotions that such an event brings.

ALSO READ > Experience the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the winner of the Cadillac game

You were chosen based on a simple one-minute video. How did you make it?

From the beginning, I gave it my all. If I embarked on this adventure, it wasn't to do it halfway. I have a creative studio at home, in which I filmed. As for editing, it's an area in which my studies allowed me to be comfortable. I drew a lot of inspiration from cinema and I involved my loved ones. For example, it's my father who plays the role of the Cadillac boss in the video. It's a really strong nod for me. Winning this competition by having him participate... it's very moving!

You're inspired by cinema, and you won this competition with a studio video. How will you translate that to a track?

I want to approach it as naturally as possible. In the studio, you can do as many takes as you want, but that won't be the case there. I really want to show the behind-the-scenes of this legendary race, and I've always been comfortable in front of the camera, so I'm not worried.

"It's Delivered" is the name of your project. What can you tell us about it?

The idea is that the day I deliver photos or videos to clients, they'll receive an envelope with the words "It's Delivered" on it. The project itself is a creative studio designed to showcase the automotive industry through original content. Initially, I envisioned it as a springboard to join a car brand, but I'm now considering going freelance. I'd like to participate in the renewal of automotive advertising, because I feel that my generation can bring a bit of freshness. It's an initiative I launched at the beginning of 2025, with a challenge in mind: 365 days to sign with an iconic car manufacturer.

Why set yourself such a deadline?

Setting yourself a time-limited challenge is something that's done a lot on social media. But it's primarily to motivate myself: it's a pressure I'm putting on myself to give myself the means to achieve my goal. I want to prove to myself that I'm capable of success.

You posted your video on your 25th birthday. Was that a pure coincidence or superstition?

I hate superstition. There's this phrase I love: "Superstitions are the creation of ignorance and fear." But to be perfectly honest, it was quite deliberate, yes. It was more of a nod to my 25th birthday, shall we say, that's a quarter of a century ago!