For a century, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has served as a crucible, a grueling test that tempers both car and driver through relentless endurance. Unlike races that hinge solely on speed, Le Mans demands a unique combination of raw power, tough reliability, and strategic ingenuity. Victory here isn’t achieved by the fastest car in a straight line but by the one that can maintain peak performance for an entire 24 hours. It’s a brutal endurance trial where meticulously engineered machines battle for supremacy on the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. Winning at Le Mans is a mark of immense prestige, as this race has become a breeding ground for innovation, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of automotive technology. As we approach the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, let's delve into the history of the most dominant car manufacturers at Le Mans.
Le Mans 24 Hours: Top 5 Teams of All Time
5. Bentley - 5 wins
The original Le Mans was a race for true pioneers and was quite different from today. John Duff and Frank Clement won the 1924 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Bentley 3 Litre Sport. Bentley claimed first place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 2003.
Also Read: This McLaren Road Car Defeated the Purpose-built Le Mans Machines
4. Jaguar - 7 wins
After a successful 1950 season with modified XK120s, Jaguar decided to take Le Mans more seriously. This led to the creation of the C-type, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951. Jaguar has since won Le Mans seven times: in 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1988, and 1990.
3. Ferrari - 10 wins
Considering its early success, it's surprising that Ferrari ranks only third on this list, especially since it hasn't competed in the premier class at Le Mans for over 50 years and only came back in 2023. Ferrari has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 10 times: in 1949, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 2023.
Also Read: Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari Beats Toyota in Centenary Race of Endurance, Corvette wins in LM GTE Class
2. Audi - 13 wins
In 1999, when Le Mans racing was booming, Audi, famous for rallying and touring cars, joined in. Their R8Rs, though passed by others, scored third and fourth in 2000. Audi has won Le Mans 13 times: in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
1. Porsche - 19 wins
It's widely agreed that Porsche stands out as the top Le Mans car maker ever. They've built fantastic sports cars and racked up loads of class championships, making them the clear winners in total victories. Porsche's Le Mans wins in 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2015, 2016, and 2017 give them a remarkable 19 victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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