The 24 Hours of Le Mans (French : 24 Heures du Mans) is an annual 24-hour automobile endurance race organised by the automotive group Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and held on the Circuit de la Sarthe race track close to the city of Le Mans, the capital of the French department of Sarthe. [1] [2] It was first held as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency in 1923, [3] after the automotive journalist Charles Faroux to Georges Durand, the ACO general secretary, and the industrialist Emile Coquile, agreed to hold the race for car manufacturers to test vehicle durability, equipment and reliability. [1] Each overall victor is presented with a trophy bearing the event's emblem and the logo of the ACO commissioned by the sporting director Jean-Pierre Moreau in 1993. All three-time consecutive winning manufacturers permanently keep the trophy. [4] Since 1991, at the initiative of a man named Bernard Warain, [5] a cast of the winning driver's feet, hands and signature are taken before the following year's race and put in a bronze car-wheel shaped plaque that is placed into the pavement in Le Mans' Saint Nicholas district. [6] [7]
Tom Kristensen has won the event nine times, more than any other competitor. Jacky Ickx, the previous record holder, is second with six victories, and Derek Bell, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro are third with five wins each. Kristensen also achieved a record six victories in succession from the 2000 to the 2005 editions. [8] Hurley Haywood had the longest wait between his first Le Mans win and his last. He first won in 1977 and last won in 1994, a span of 17 years and 5 days. Alexander Wurz waited the longest between his inaugural victory at the 1996 event and his second win—following 12 years, 11 months, 29 days later—at the 2009 edition. Luigi Chinetti is the oldest Le Mans winner; he was 47 years, 11 months and 9 days old when he won the 1949 event. Wurz is the event's youngest winner; he was 22 years, 4 months and 1 day old when he won the 1996 race. [9] There have been a record 34 victors from the United Kingdom, followed by France with 28 and Germany with 18. A total of four countries have produced just one winner. [10]
Porsche have won the most races as a manufacturer with 19 since their first in 1970. Audi are second with 13 wins and Ferrari are third with 11 victories. Porsche also achieved the most consecutive wins with seven victories in succession from 1981 to 1987. [11] German manufacturers have won a record 34 times amongst four constructors, followed by the United Kingdom with 17 victories amongst 6 manufacturers and France with 15 wins amongst 9 constructors. Joest Racing are the most successful race team with 15 victories and the Audi R8 is the best race-winning vehicle with five victories. [10] [12]
As of the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans , [update] there have been 146 victorious drivers from 20 individual countries and 25 winning manufacturers representing 7 different nations in the race's 92 editions. The first two winners were André Lagache and René Léonard in 1923, and the most recent drivers to achieve their first victory were Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen in 2024. All years (except 1977, 1979 and 1983) until 1985 saw two drivers per entry win before three participants per car became the norm from 1985 onwards. [10] Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller set the record for the farthest distance covered by a race-winning team, driving 5,410.713 km (3,362.061 mi) and completing 397 laps in an Audi R15 TDI plus in 2010. [13] Frank Clement and John Duff hold the record for the shortest distance covered by a victorious squad, completing 120 laps and 2,077.34 km (1,290.80 mi) sharing an Bentley 3 Litre Sport in 1924. [14]
|
|
|
|
Name | Wins | Years |
---|---|---|
Tom Kristensen | 9 | 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2013 |
Jacky Ickx | 6 | 1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982 |
Derek Bell | 5 | 1975, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987 |
Frank Biela | 5 | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007 |
Emanuele Pirro | 5 | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007 |
Olivier Gendebien | 4 | 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962 |
Henri Pescarolo | 4 | 1972, 1973, 1974, 1984 |
Yannick Dalmas | 4 | 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999 |
Sébastien Buemi | 4 | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 |
Woolf Barnato | 3 | 1928, 1929, 1930 |
Luigi Chinetti | 3 | 1932, 1934, 1949 |
Phil Hill | 3 | 1958, 1961, 1962 |
Hurley Haywood | 3 | 1977, 1983, 1994 |
Klaus Ludwig | 3 | 1979, 1984, 1985 |
Al Holbert | 3 | 1983, 1986, 1987 |
Allan McNish | 3 | 1998, 2008, 2013 |
Rinaldo Capello | 3 | 2003, 2004, 2008 |
Marco Werner | 3 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
Marcel Fässler | 3 | 2011, 2012, 2014 |
André Lotterer | 3 | 2011, 2012, 2014 |
Benoît Tréluyer | 3 | 2011, 2012, 2014 |
Brendon Hartley | 3 | 2017, 2020, 2022 |
Kazuki Nakajima | 3 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Nationality | Wins | Drivers |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 45 | 34 |
France | 42 | 28 |
Germany | 31 | 18 |
Italy | 21 | 14 |
United States | 19 | 13 |
Belgium | 13 | 5 |
Denmark | 11 | 3 |
Switzerland | 8 | 3 |
Japan | 7 | 5 |
New Zealand | 7 | 4 |
Australia | 4 | 4 |
Austria | 4 | 3 |
Spain | 4 | 3 |
Netherlands | 3 | 2 |
Argentina | 2 | 2 |
Sweden | 2 | 2 |
Finland | 2 | 1 |
Canada | 1 | 1 |
Mexico | 1 | 1 |
Monaco | 1 | 1 |
Entrant | Wins | Drivers |
---|---|---|
Porsche | 19 | 36 |
Audi | 13 | 15 |
Ferrari | 11 | 20 |
Jaguar | 7 | 14 |
Bentley | 6 | 11 |
Toyota | 5 | 8 |
Alfa Romeo | 4 | 6 |
Ford | 4 | 8 |
Matra-Simca | 3 | 3 |
Peugeot | 3 | 9 |
Lorraine-Dietrich | 2 | 3 |
Bugatti | 2 | 3 |
Aston Martin | 1 | 2 |
BMW | 1 | 3 |
Chenard & Walcker | 1 | 2 |
Delahaye | 1 | 2 |
Lagonda | 1 | 2 |
Mazda | 1 | 3 |
McLaren | 1 | 3 |
Mercedes-Benz | 1 | 2 |
Mirage | 1 | 2 |
Renault-Alpine | 1 | 2 |
Rondeau | 1 | 2 |
Sauber-Mercedes | 1 | 3 |
Talbot-Lago | 1 | 2 |
Team | Wins | Drivers |
---|---|---|
Joest Racing | 15 | 22 |
Porsche | 12 | 21 |
Scuderia Ferrari | 7 | 9 |
Jaguar | 5 | 12 |
Bentley | 5 | 9 |
Toyota Gazoo Racing | 5 | 8 |
Peugeot Sport | 3 | 9 |
Martini Racing | 3 | 5 |
Matra Sports | 3 | 3 |
AF Corse | 2 | 6 |
Shelby American Inc. | 2 | 4 |
J. W. Automotive Engineering | 2 | 4 |
Ecurie Ecosse | 2 | 3 |
Raymond Sommer | 2 | 3 |
Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie | 2 | 3 |
Champion Racing | 1 | 3 |
Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing | 1 | 3 |
North American Racing Team | 1 | 3 |
Team BMW Motorsport | 1 | 3 |
Team Goh | 1 | 3 |
Team Sauber Mercedes | 1 | 3 |
Porsche Kremer Racing | 1 | 2 |
Alpine Renault | 1 | 2 |
Chenard & Walcker SA | 1 | 2 |
Daimler-Benz A.G. | 1 | 2 |
David Brown Racing Dept. | 1 | 2 |
Duff & Aldington | 1 | 2 |
Earl Howe | 1 | 2 |
Eugène Chaboud et Jean Trémoulet | 1 | 2 |
Fox & Nichol | 1 | 2 |
Gulf Research Racing Co. | 1 | 2 |
Jean Rondeau | 1 | 2 |
Jean-Pierre Wimille | 1 | 2 |
Lord Selsdon | 1 | 2 |
Louis Rosier | 1 | 2 |
Luigi Chinetti/Philippe Étancelin | 1 | 2 |
Mazdaspeed Co. Ltd | 1 | 2 |
Peter Walker | 1 | 2 |
Porsche KG Salzburg | 1 | 2 |
Roger Labric | 1 | 2 |
Vernon John Schuppan is a retired Australian motor racing driver. Schuppan drove in various categories, participating in Formula One, the Indianapolis 500 and most successfully in sports car racing.
The 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans was a non-championship 24 hour automobile endurance race held from 12 June to 13 at the Circuit de la Sarthe near Le Mans, France, for teams of three drivers each fielding Le Mans Prototype and Grand Touring cars. It was the race's 72nd edition, as organised by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. A test day was held eight weeks before the race on 25 April. Approximately 200,000 people attended the race.
The 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans was an automobile endurance race held for Le Mans Prototype and Grand Touring cars from 15 to 16 June 2002 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, close by Le Mans, France. It was the 70th running of the event, as organized by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. A test day was held five weeks prior to the race on 5 May. The No. 1 Audi Sport Team Joest car of Tom Kristensen, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro won the race overall and Audi's third consecutive victory in Le Mans, extending back to the 2000 event.
The 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 69th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 16 and 17 June 2001.
David Donohue is an American race car driver formerly active in the Grand-Am's Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype class for Action Express Racing and participant in the Pikes Peak races.
The 75th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance race for Le Mans Prototype and Grand Touring cars, which took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, France, from 16 to 17 June 2007. It was the 75th edition of the event, as organised by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. Unlike other events, it was not a part of any endurance motor racing championship. A test day was held two weeks prior to the race on 3 June. The event was attended by 250,952 spectators.
The 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 77th Grand Prix of Endurance, an endurance auto race run over 24 hours. It took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, and was organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) over 13–14 June 2009 and was started by Fiat and Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo at 15:00 local time. A test day was initially scheduled for 31 May that year, but was canceled by the ACO due to economic concerns. The race was attended by 234,800 spectators.
The 79th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance race for 56 teams of three drivers in Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) cars, held before 249,500 spectators on 11 and 12 June 2011 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, France. It was the third round of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the race's 79th edition as organised by the automotive group the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. On 24 April, six weeks prior, a test day was held.
The 80th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance race for teams of three drivers each entering Le Mans Prototype and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance cars held from 16 to 17 June 2012 at the Circuit de la Sarthe close to Le Mans, France before 240,000 spectators. It was the 80th running of the event, as organised by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. The race was the third round of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship, with 30 of the race's 56 entries contesting the championship. A test day was held two weeks prior to the race on 3 June.
The 81st 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance racing event for teams of three drivers entering Le Mans Prototype and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance cars held from 19 to 23 June 2013 at the Circuit de la Sarthe close to Le Mans, France. It was the 81st running of the event, as organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. The race was the third and the premier round of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship, with 32 of the race's 56 entries contesting the championship. A test day was held two weeks prior to the race on 9 June. Approximately 245,000 spectators attended the event.
The 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season was the second season of the FIA World Endurance Championship auto racing series, co-organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The series was open to Le Mans Prototypes and grand tourer-style racing cars meeting four ACO categories. World Championships were awarded to drivers and to LMP1 category manufacturers, and several World Cups and Endurance Trophies were awarded for the series' other categories. The eight race championship began in April at the Silverstone Circuit and ended in November at the Bahrain International Circuit. The season was marred by the death of Allan Simonsen in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Mike Rockenfeller, nicknamed "Rocky", is a German professional racing driver and was an Audi factory driver competing in the DTM and the FIA World Endurance Championship. He won his first DTM title in 2013, driving for Audi Sport Team Phoenix. He also won the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 83rd 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance event for teams of three drivers each entering Le Mans Prototype and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance cars held from 10 to 14 June 2015 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, close to Le Mans, France. It was the 83rd running of the 24 Hour race organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest as well as the third round of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship. A test day was held two weeks prior to the race on 31 May. A record-breaking 263,500 people attended the event.
Ryan Cullen is an Irish racing driver currently competing in the European Le Mans Series for Vector Sport.
The 84th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance racing event held for teams of three drivers each fielding Le Mans Prototype and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance cars from 15 to 19 June 2016 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, close to Le Mans, France before 263,500 spetators. It was the 84th running of the 24 Hour race organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) as well as the third and flagship round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship. A test day was held two weeks prior to the race on 5 June.
The 85th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance race for 60 teams of three drivers in Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) cars. It was held from 17 to 18 June 2017 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, before 258,500 spectators. The race's 85th running, organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, was the third of nine rounds in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship. A test day was held two weeks earlier on 4 June.
The 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship was the sixth season of the FIA World Endurance Championship, an auto racing series co-organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The series is open to Le Mans Prototypes and grand tourer-style racing cars divided into four categories. The season began at the Silverstone Circuit in April and will end at the Bahrain International Circuit in November, and include the 85th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. World championship titles will be awarded to the leading prototype drivers and manufacturers, while for the first time in the World Endurance Championship the leading grand touring drivers and manufacturers will also be awarded a world championship.
The 89th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance race for teams of three drivers each entering Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) cars held between 21 and 22 August 2021, at the Circuit de la Sarthe, close to Le Mans, France, before 50,000 spectators. It was the event's 89th edition, as organised by the automotive group, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) since 1923. The event, the fourth round of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship, was postponed from June to August to increase the likelihood of admitting spectators to the race amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in France. A test day was held a week prior to the event on 15 August.
The 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans was a 24-hour automobile endurance event that was held in front of 244,200 spectators on 11 and 12 June 2022 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, near Le Mans, France for Le Mans Hypercar (Hypercar), Le Mans Prototypes (LMP) and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) cars that were entered by teams of three drivers each. It was the 90th edition of the event organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, and the third round of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship. A test day was held the week before the race on 5 June.