24h Le Mans
The competitor exploits, shocking twists and caliber of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1932 and 2012 have all made it one of the most legendary races in history. As we await the 2022 running on 11-12 June, enjoy this retrospective from 2002.
15-16 June 2002 (70th running)
Distance covered by the winners: 375 laps or 5,118.75 km (an average of 213.068 kph).
After winning in 2000 and 2001, the following year Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro became the first (and sole to date) driver line-up to reach the top step on the podium three times in a row at the 24 Hours, joining fellow three-time winners Olivier Gendebien/Phil Hill and Jacky Ickx/Derek Bell. It was Kristensen's fourth victory on his way to the current record of nine he achieved by 2013. Biela and Pirro triumphed again in 2006 and 2007 with Marco Werner, marking Audi's third win in four participations. The German manufacturer currently boasts 13 wins at Le Mans, the first five clinched with the R8 prototype winner in 2002.
After celebrating Bentley's return to the 24 Hours with the third step on the podium in 2001, Butch Leitzinger, Eric van de Poele and Andy Wallace finished fourth in 2002 behind the hat trick achieved by the factory Audi R8s. Another R8, fielded by the Japanese outfit Team Goh, finished seventh. Anticipated to return in 2023 in the Hypercar class, Cadillac ended its last 24 Hours in ninth place with Max Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Christophe Tinseau. Two French teams also figured in the top 10: ORECA (fifth and sixth) and Pescarolo Sport (10th). The top 10 overall included 10 previous and future Le Mans winners (in order): Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro, Johnny Herbert, Dindo Capello, Marco Werner, Andy Wallace, Yannick Dalmas, Seiji Ara and Jan Lammers.
Michael Schumacher reached the record of five Formula 1 world titles held since 1957 by Argentinian driver Juan Manuel Fangio. He would go on to increase the number to seven after 2003 and 2004.
Ten years after the first of its three wins at the 24 Hours, Peugeot secured its fifth (and third consecutive) WRC Constructors title with Finnish driver Marcus Gronholm taking home the Drivers trophy.
Mars in relief – Launched on 7 April 2001, the American space probe 2000 Mars Odyssey began mapping the planet Mars on 19 February.
Brazil sets a record – By beating Germany 2-0 in the finale, Brazil won the World Cup for a record fifth time on 30 June.
A "green giant" for ecology – Nicknamed due to his stature (1m 93) and convictions, singer Pete Garrett announced on 2 December he was leaving the group Midnight Oil to devote himself to his political commitments. He then held the positions of Minister of the Environment (from 2007 to 2010) and Education (from 2010 to 2013) in the Australian government.
Other rings besides Audi – The second installment of Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings literary trilogy, The Two Towers finished at the top of the global box office for the year.
PHOTOS (Copyright - ACO ARCHIVES): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 15-16 JUNE 2002. At top: after 2000, Audi scored its second hat trick at the race with, in order, Frank Biela/Tom Kristensen/Emanuele Pirro (#1), Dindo Capello/Johnny Herbert/Christian Pescatori (#2) pictured, and Philipp Peter/Michael Krumm/Marco Werner (#3). Above: the Dome S101 prototype of Racing For Holland immediately recognisable by its chequered livery and driven by the Dutch trio of Jan Lammers (winner in 1988 with Jaguar, here at the wheel)/Tom Coronel/Val Hillebrand (eighth overall).
