The land of the 'All Blacks', New Zealand had its name witten in the winners roster of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. First seen in 2012, Brendon Hartley features among the (many) drivers in the LM P2 prototype class.

On the 19th of June 1966, a 100% New Zealand duo gave Ford the first of four consecutive wins at Le Mans. It is even a triumph winners Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren ahead of their compatriot Dennis Hulme with American driver Ken Miles. Bruce McLaren did not live to see a car that bears his name win the 24 Hours in 1995, but today a youngster of 23 continues this great heritage of the Southern Hemisphere. Born November 10, 1989 in Palmerston North, Hartley was first a child prodigy, winning, at barely 17 years old, the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2007 and finished third in the following year in the coveted British Formula 3 Championship.

Last year Brendon Hartley appeared for the first time in endurance racing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) driving an Oreca 03 Nissan of the Irish team Murphy Prototypes . With Jody Firth and Warren Hughes, he was unfortunately forced to retire in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but not before the trio had led LM P2 for two hours. Still with Murphy Prototypes in ELMS 2013 Hartley prepares to go to La Sarthe again with two new team mates, American Mark Patterson and Indian Karun Chandhok who finished sixth overall last year, driving the Honda HPD of JRM (LM P1) who are absent in 2013. There will be a big battle ahead for them in LM P2 prototypes on 22nd and 23rd June

To learn even more about Hartley, please visit his official website,Facebook and Twitter.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO

Photo: LE MANS CENTRE (Sarthe), SCRUTINEERING FOR THE 24 HOURS, 11th June 2012. Last year the traditional 'pesage' in the city centre was the first step of Brendon Hartley (left) into the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.