The familiar Formula One gesture of spraying champagne on the podium actually originated at Le Mans in 1967, when American Dan Gurney shook the bottle after winning in a Ford GT40 with compatriot AJ Foyt. It has crowned its own heroes, like six times winner Jacky Ickx of Belgium, Britain's five times winner Derek Bell or nine-times record holder Tom Kristensen of Denmark. The list of those who have taken part over the years is a roll call of greats - from pre-war stars Tazio Nuvolari and Rudolf Caracciola through to Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti and Fernando Alonso. Le Mans joins the Indianapolis 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing since 1911, and Monaco Grand Prix - first raced in 1929 - as the elements of the so-called 'Triple Crown of Motorsport'. The Mulsanne straight, also known as the Ligne droite des Hunaudieres, the corner at Arnage and Tertre Rouge are as familiar to global motorsport fans as Eau Rouge at Spa-Francorchamps or Monaco's Rascasse.
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