He won the 24 Heures du Mans twice as an Alfa Romeo factory driver in 1932 and 1934, but it was with Ferrari that Luigi Chinetti entered the legend of La Sarthe.

With links to Italy, Paris, America and Le Mans (he was made Honorary Citizen of Le Mans), driver, importer, team owner ... Luigi Chinetti (1901-1994) was all of these at once. In 1949, together with Lord Selsdon, he gave the Prancing Horse the first great chapter in its history with the victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans at their first attempt. Luigi Chinetti's driving the 166MM, which became (in 2000) the first car exhibited at the prestigious Museum of Modern Art in New York. He raced the 24 hours twelve times, including five in a Ferrari from 1949 to 1953.

Luigi Chinetti was a pioneer in many other respects: first importer of the Italian manufacturer in the United States, also the first to have won at Le Mans as a driver (1949) and team owner (1965 ). Called NART (for North American Racing Team), it was for two decades one of the great teams of the 24 hours, with the highlight being the victory of Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory. Luigi Chinetti scored the first and last success of Ferrari at Le Mans. A feat, among many others that led to him being honoured with the naming of the “Place Luigi Chinetti” at the circuit's northern entrance adjacent to the “museum of the 24 hours”.

The 90th anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans is on the 22nd and 23rd June.

Click HERE for ticket information.
Entry List HERE.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO

Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, FINISH, 26th JUNE 1949. The first of nine Ferrari victories at the 24 Hours. Luigi Chinetti took the wheel for more than 20 hours.