24h Le Mans
In the second half of the 2000s, Aston Martin's return to endurance and the 24 Hours of Le Mans culminated in the birth of one of the most beautiful prototypes of the last decade.
Exactly 10 years ago, the British marque - winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 - managed a remarkable return to competition with the DBR9, the competitive incarnation of the DB9 sports cars released the previous year.
After it had won two consecutive class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in 2007 and 2008), it was time to go into prototypes. To do so, George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, decided to install the V12 engine of the DBR9 in a closed Lola chassis. This technical cunning gave birth to a magnificent LM P1 in 2009 sporting the sky blue and orange livery of the Gulf oil company, the British constructor's partner since the previous year. Enough to stir memories among fans of the long 1971 Porsche 917. Add to this excellent combination the sound of the engine which could hold its own against another V12, the Matra, winner at Le Mans in 1972-73-74 and a cornerstone of the subject for more than 40 years running!
In the wake of the Audi-Peugeot duel at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Lola-Aston Martin made it to the top 10 three times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: fifth in 2009, sixth in 2010, seventh in 2011. In addition to Aston Martin Racing, the Lola-Aston Martin was entered at Le Mans in 2010 by the French team Signature (now Signatech Alpine) and also by the Belgians of Kronos Racing/Marc VDS in 2011: that year, Vanina Ickx achieved her best result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a seventh place finish. The Lola-Aston Martin was also, in 2009, the last prototype to win at the Nürburgring circuit (in the Le Mans Series which at the time welcomed LM P1 prototypes), set to host endurance this weekend with the fourth round of the World Championship.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 14 2009, FINISH. The Lola-Aston Martin coupe achieved its best result in its very first participation at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with fifth place for Jan Charouz-Tomas Enge-Stefan Mücke.
