This is the moment everyone holds their breath. At the end of the formation lap, the safety car will pull off into the pit lane, inviting the field to move towards the gantry where Bill Ford will be waiting to drop the French flag. In the grandstands, the silence will only be broken by the music of composer Richard Strauss as the countdown to the start reaches its final seconds. The start marks the climax of a highly eventful week leading up to the legendary race: scrutineering in the city centre (Sunday and Monday), driver autograph session at the circuit (Tuesday), free practice and qualifying sessions (Wednesday and Thursday) and back into the city for the Drivers’ Parade (Friday).

Following Test Day, pundits are already speculating on how the day’s outstanding performers will get on in the race itself. Will Porsche dethrone Audi and claim the overall title? In LM P2, will the Ligier JS P2 clinch victory and overturn the bad luck that put paid to its chances last year after dominating the race? Will the Aston Martin Vantages pull off a double in both LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am classes? These questions, and more, will shortly find answers but, in the meantime, here’s a rundown of the winners of the previous six editions when the 24 Hours of Le Mans were held on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.

1931 (eighth edition) – Lord Howe-Sir Henry Birkin (Alfa Romeo 8C)
1953 (21st edition) – Tony Rolt-Duncan Hamilton (Jaguar Type C)
1970 (38th edition) – Richard Attwood-Hans Herrmann (Porsche 917 K)
1981 (49th edition) – Jacky Ickx-Derek Bell (Porsche 936/81)
1987 (55th edition) – Derek Bell-Al Holbert-Hans Joachim Stück (Porsche 962 C)
2009 (77th edition) – David Brabham-Marc Gené-Alexander Wurz (Peugeot 908 HDi FAP)

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translated from French by David Goward

Photo: The Nissan GT-R LM NISMO is one of this year’s main attractions in the LM P1 class.