In association with Sanofi and Théo Curin, McLaren is committed to fighting meningitis

It's a powerful symbol, carried by a man who knows what he's talking about. Théo Curin has been working with Sanofi since 2023 to raise awareness about the dangers of meningitis, an infectious disease he contracted at the age of six and which led to the amputation of all four of his limbs. The young man has turned it into a strength, becoming a Paralympic swimmer, and is also pursuing a promising media career that has led him to present the game. Slam France on 3.

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the 25-year-old from Lorraine, along with other Paralympic athletes, launched a flag representing the fight against meningitis. The initiative was made possible by Sanofi, which is deeply committed to raising awareness about a scourge that affects one person every 15 seconds. “Our ambition, shared with the WHO: to eradicate meningitis by 2030”, explains Charles Wolf, France director of Sanofi. "Meningitis is a devastating disease that can kill people in 24 hours or leave them paralyzed for life, with serious after-effects. Combating it is therefore a real challenge. This is why we have historically been great ambassadors for vaccination."

In the wake of Théo Curin, the fight against illness

To continue this fight, the group is counting on the support of McLaren, with whom it has been in partnership for several years. The British manufacturer will fly the flag designed by Théo Curin and his partners on its No. 59, entered in GT3 with United Autosports. "We decided to put this flag on the McLaren car, with whom we have been partners for 4-5 years as part of a technological partnership, where we share our experiences between motor racing, industrial performance, as well as research and development," explains Charles Wolf. "This partnership came about naturally, with a lot of meaning and continuity. Working and running for a cause is truly something that makes sense and that everyone is involved in."

The drivers themselves are committed to this approach. Grégoire Saucy and Sébastien Baud, who are competing in the No. 59 car this season alongside James Cottingham, were in Paris at Sanofi's headquarters to unveil their new car alongside Théo Curin.  "That's one more goal. When you run, it's something magnificent," rejoices Sébastien Baud. "We can see that there are a lot of people behind it, really involved in the project. A day like this is really superb: unveiling the car, being in contact with all the people involved, it gives an extra energy, a good vibe, let's say, for the upcoming race. It puts us in a good frame of mind to prepare well. And it's an extra motivation."

"This is the first time I'm going to ride for a cause. And the meningitis cause is something powerful," confirms Grégoire Saucy.“With the colors of the flag on our suits and on the car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we will do everything to bring the car to the best possible result."

ALSO READ > McLaren – United Autosports partners with Sanofi for a special livery for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

McLaren's commitment will raise awareness by displaying the colors of the meningitis flag: blue, yellow, and purple, in addition to the manufacturer's historic papaya. This partnership marks a new phase in the collaboration between Théo Curin and Sanofi, following the success of Paris 2024. "When you start a project, the hardest thing is not to explode, it's to last, because people are waiting for you at the turn," assures the swimmer. "Sanofi was a bit of a surprise. I was the first to ask myself: 'Is this just going to stop after the Games?' And that would have been a shame, because we put so much energy and heart into it. But no. They managed to remobilize, to come up with other ideas. And I think that's really clever, because we're staying in the world of sport—surpassing oneself, delivering strong messages—but in a different environment. So we're bound to reach a different audience, and that's what's really interesting."

A world exhibition in Le Mans

« Le Mans attracts more than 150 million viewers. Millions of French people will also be there. " confirms Charles Wolf.
« This is a relatively young population—the very population that needs to protect itself against meningitis. Because the reservoir for meningitis is adolescents and young adults. It is therefore crucial to raise awareness among this specific population. »

Before sporting their new livery at Le Mans in June, the drivers of the No. 59 car will head to Belgium for the 6 Hours of Spa. This will be an opportunity to put a stop to a difficult weekend at Imola, where the car was underperforming. "Last year, we already struggled all weekend. It's a circuit that doesn't suit us very well, and it's hard to say why.", analyzes Grégoire Saucy, who is playing his second season with United Autosports.

"Maybe the McLaren isn't perfectly suited to this track, I don't know. We thought it would be better than last year, but it was still a complicated weekend. That said, we have to keep the positives in mind: a very good start to the season in Qatar. And since we performed well last year at Spa, there's no reason why we shouldn't this year."

In Qatar, the Swiss driver was behind the wheel during the final stint, where he put enormous pressure on Dani Juncadella for victory, but the Corvette driver held firm. The season still began with a podium finish, ideally launching Sébastien Baud's adventure in the McLaren colors. "In Qatar, for our first race together, it was a real success. Everything was in place: strategy, execution, performance on the track. We were able to score the points we needed to compete for the championship." the Frenchman is satisfied.

The two young men will be competing in their second edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside James Cottingham, who is certainly older (41 years old), but no more experienced in the Sarthe. Driven by the passion of their youth, they are aiming for victory in GT3—which would also be a great way to highlight the dangers of meningitis.