The 24 Hours of Le Mans, in French 24 Heures du Mans, is an endurance sports car race held every year near the city of Le Mans in France. First run in 1923, it is the oldest active endurance racing event in the world and is widely considered one of the most prestigious races. It forms part of the informal Triple Crown of Motorsport with the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, and of a Triple Crown of endurance racing with the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Unlike races decided on minimum time, it is won by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours, so teams must balance speed against the ability to run a full day without mechanical failure. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest organizes it on the Circuit de la Sarthe, and since 2012 it has been part of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Facts
Frequency
Frequency (category) Founding Year Connections
Competitors Include
Source Wikipedia, A. J. Foyt
Source Carel Godin de Beaufort (Wikipedia)
Source Dan Gurney (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Fernando Alonso
Source Wikipedia, Graham Hill
Source Heinz Schiller (Wikipedia)
Source Jacky Ickx (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia, Jos Verstappen
Source Patrick Tambay (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia, Sébastien Loeb
Source Wikipedia, Tom Kristensen
Features
Source 24 Hours of Le Mans (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. 24 Hours of Le Mans (Wikipedia)
Lead paragraph 1
First run in 1923, it is the oldest active endurance racing event in the world
Lead paragraph 1 [frequency-category]
is an endurance sports car race held annually near the city of Le Mans, France
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Since 2012, the race has been a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
View the SourceWikipedia, Sébastien Loeb
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Sébastien Loeb, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Sébastien Loeb, Lead
In 2006, he finished second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Wikipedia: Fernando Alonso
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Fernando Alonso, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Fernando Alonso, Lead
In endurance racing, Alonso won the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship and is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota as well as a winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019 with WTR.
Wikipedia, Tom Kristensen
WikipediaCompetitors Include: Tom Kristensen, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Tom Kristensen, Lead
He holds the record for the most wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with nine, six of which were consecutive (from 2000 to 2005).
Wikipedia, Graham Hill
Wikimedia FoundationCompetitors Include: Graham Hill, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Graham Hill, Lead
Upon winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972 with Matra, Hill became the first-and as of 2026, only-driver to complete the Triple Crown of Motorsport.
Wikipedia, A. J. Foyt
WikipediaCompetitors Include: A.J. Foyt, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: A.J. Foyt, Lead
Foyt is the only driver to have won the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Daytona 500, and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Jacky Ickx (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Jacky Ickx, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Jacky Ickx, Lead
In endurance racing, Ickx won two World Endurance Championships with Porsche and is a six-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as a two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Wikipedia, Jos Verstappen
Competitors Include: Jos Verstappen, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Jos Verstappen, Lead
He then competed in sportscar racing in 2008, winning both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class with Van Merksteijn.
Dan Gurney (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Dan Gurney, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Dan Gurney, Lead
In endurance racing, Gurney won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 with Ford, as well as the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1959 with Ferrari.
Patrick Tambay (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Patrick Tambay, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Patrick Tambay, Lead
Tambay competed in various forms of motorsport following his departure from Formula One, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Sportscar Championship, and the Dakar Rally.
Carel Godin de Beaufort (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Carel Godin de Beaufort, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Carel Godin de Beaufort, Lead
Born and raised in Maarsbergen to a noble family, Godin de Beaufort debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1956 with Wolfgang Seidel, aged 22.
Heinz Schiller (Wikipedia)
Competitors Include: Heinz Schiller, LeadQuote, Competitors Include: Heinz Schiller, Lead
He finished 10th at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans with Gerhard Koch.
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