Now 51 years old, Emanuele Pirro has two 'firsts' in the history of Le Mans. Firstly in 2000-2001-2002, when with Frank Biela and Tom Kristensen he was part of the first crew of three drivers to have three consecutive wins, then again in 2006 with Biela and Marco Werner, he scored the first win for a diesel engine in the 24 hours. The trio repeated the feat in 2007. After two participations (and as many retirements) in 1981 and 1998 in a Lancia and a McLaren, he joined Audi in 1999. His record with the marque is exceptional: he finished with five wins, four third places and a sixth place. His relaxed manner and sense of humour makes Emanuele Pirro now one of the most charismatic ambassadors for Audi.

 

Pirro joins the fourteen other drivers in this commission who have written their names in the history of the 24 Hours, starting with the Vice-President Sébastien Loeb, second in 2006, and whose return to La Sarthe is eagerly awaited. We should also mention the presence of Mexican Adrian Fernandez, former driver for Aston Martin Racing driver who has become manager of his compatriot Sergio Perez in F1, Karun Chandhok, the first Indian driver to have finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012, and Keiko Ihara only female driver at Le Mans last year. This committee is chaired by Emerson Fittipaldi, the first Brazilian World Champion in Formula 1 (1972 and 74), and organizer of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, one of the rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship, held this year on the 1st of September.