Swiss driver and three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Marcel Fässler has announced his retirement as a full-time professional driver.

Fässler took his rookie start in the race in 2006 at the wheel of Team Swiss Spirit's Courage LC70-Judd. "I fell in love with the event right away, the atmosphere is incomparable (see previous interview, Ed)." He is known to have loathed the two hours preceding the start, but that didn't deter him from winning the race in 2011, 2012 and 2014 with Audi and teammates Benoît Treluyer and André Lotterer. They formed an inseparable trio bursting with a true spirit of camaraderie. Between 2017 and 2019, Fässler represented Corvette Racing in the LMGTE Pro class.

"As a boy, I dreamed of becoming a racing driver. Fueled by enthusiasm and focus, I've traveled this long journey with many highs and lows, and finally got to the point I was running with the best. This experience has been more than I could have ever hoped. I am proud of what I've accomplished. Some of the greatest moments of my career are definitely the three wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans! To be the first Swiss driver to win this legendary race made me super proud. The feeling of being on top of the podium is something that remains engrained in my memory.

Over all these years, I have been able to work with so many teams, colleagues, competitors and friends, and each one has added a precious contribution that I will always hold dear. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who did this journey with me, who fought for places with me, who shared the passion and the highs and lows, who believed in me, who supported me in countless ways. You are wonderful!", he posted on social media.

Fässler has participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 14 times, including three wins and two podium finishes. In 2019, he was inducted into the FIA Endurance Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Yannick Dalmas, Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen, Romain Dumas and Fernando Alonso.