24h Le Mans
Ferrari, Aston Martin, Ford and Porsche, the four manufacturers fielding full-season entries in the LM GTE Pro class of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), have all won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The exceptional quartet has shared no fewer than 32 overall victories. Porsche is the last in the historic group to reach victory, but has made its mark just as significantly on the Le Mans saga.
A bit of history - Porsche made its first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, three years after its release. It then took the German manufacturer 19 years to clinch its first victory. After claiming its first overall podium finish in 1958 (third place for Jean Behra and Hans Herrmann) and racking up class wins, Porsche went one step further in 1968 with the presentation of the 908 prototype. The following year, the 917 was unveiled and went on to usher the marque into the 24 Hours of Le Mans hall of fame.
Porsche at the top - In 1970 and 1971, the 917's two victories were the first steps in Porsche's Le Mans quest. In 1986, the marque beat Ferrari's record of nine wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and for 31 years now has held that record which Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb brought to 18 at this year's edition. It was also at the wheel of a Porsche prototype that Alexander Wurz became the youngest Le Mans winner in 1996, and the following year Tom Kristensen won the first of his nine victories with the same car. In all, 34 drivers have secured Porsche's 18 wins at the 24 Hours.
Porsche and the LM GTE Pro class: a birthday win - The most recognizable silhouette in the history of sports cars, the Porsche 911 celebrated its 50th birthday with an LM GTE Pro win at the 2013 edition of the 24 Hours. That year, the 911 also won the LM GTE Am class. The one-two brought Porsche to 100 victories at Le Mans, all classes considered!
Overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 18 (1970-1971-1976-1977-1979-1981-1892-1983-1984-1985-1986-1987-1994-1996-1997-198-2015-2016).
LM GTE Pro class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2012: 1 (2013)
Click below for previous installments of this series:
LM GTE Pro and the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1) – Ferrari
LM GTE Pro and the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2) - Aston Martin
LM GTE Pro and the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (3) - Ford
Photo: Looking ahead to the new 911 hitting the track in 2017, after being presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This year Porsche is represented in the LM GTE Pro class of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) by the Dempsey-Proton Racing team.
