Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon, the pioneers - In Ferrari's history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Luigi Chinetti is much more than a driver. In 1949, to circumvent a ban imposed by Enzo Ferrari, he convinced his teammate Lord Selsdon to buy a Ferrari 166 MM. Chinetti went on to drive that car in the race for more than 22 hours! The only driver to win Le Mans before (1932 and 1934) AND after (1949) World War II, he also greatly contributed to the commercial expansion of the Italian marque by becoming its U.S. importer. There he developed a strategy based on owner customised GTs, which explains how sought-after certain models are at auction today. Another unique facet of Chinetti and Ferrari's shared Le Mans history: as a driver, he secured the marque's first win in 1949, then its last as a team owner of the North American Racing Team (NART) in 1965.

Maurice Trintignant, the first Frenchman - The uncle of actor Jean-Louis Trintignant was one of the top post-World War II drivers on the planet. The first Frenchman to win Le Mans at the wheel of a Ferrari (1954), he is also the first French driver to win in Formula 1, with two victories at the Grand Prix of Monaco (1955 with Ferrari and 1958 with Cooper). He also claimed two podium finishes at the 24 Hours, in 1956 (with Ferrari) and 1959 (with Aston Martin), with Olivier Gendebien and Paul Frère, also Le Mans winners, respectively, with Ferrari.

José Froilán González, the Argentinian bull - Teammates with Maurice Trintignant for Ferrari's second Le Mans win, González won the 24 Hours for his fourth and final participation. He too holds a special place in the Italian marque's history, giving Ferrari its first victory in Formula 1 at Silverstone in the U.K. on 14 July 1951. His imposing physical stature earned him the nickname the "Pampas Bull" and his speed the respect of his peers, namely from the most famous of his fellow countrymen, five-time F1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio who in 1950 was a González's teammate for his first start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Oliver Gendebien, the recordman - The name Olivier Gendebien is inextricably linked to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Ferrari, even though he made his debut at the 24 Hours with Porsche in 1955. In seven consecutive starts with the Italian manufacturer (from 1956 to 1962), the Belgian driver claimed a podium finish with Maurice Trintignant (third in 1956) and became the first four-time winner at the 24 Hours, along with fellow countryman Paul Frère (in 1960) and American driver Phil Hill (1958, 1961 and 1962). He remained the win record-holder at Le Mans between 1962 and 1980.

Phil Hill, the American - Phil Hill is at the heart of several Ferrari highlights at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and motorsport in general. In 1958, he became the first American to win Le Mans. In 1961, he became the only driver in history to win the 24 Hours and the Formula 1 world title in the same year. And in 1962, with Olivier Gendebien he formed the first driver line-up to win Le Mans three times. His track record at the 24 Hours is unique for another remarkable reason: in 14 starts, he made it to the checkered flag only three times, but every time as the winner!

In 1960, Olivier Gendebien's second victory at the 24 Hours marked an unprecedented era of domination for Ferrari, with six consecutive wins until 1965, all won by drivers who - like the winners of the marque's first victories at Le Mans - went on to make their marks in the history of motorsport in their respective periods, all disciplines considered. More in the second part of this series...

 

PHOTO (Copyright - ACO/Archives) - LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY 26 JUNE 1960. Among the Le Mans winners representing Ferrari, Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill are the only two drivers to triumph in both the 1950s and 1960s. Gendebien ushered in the sixties by winning at the wheel of this Ferrari 250 TRI along with driver-journalist Paul Frère. Gendebien reunited with Phil Hill in 1961 and 1962 for two additional victories.