24h Le Mans
Ferrari, Aston Martin, Ford and Porsche, the four manufacturers fielding full-season entries in the LM GTE Pro class of the World Endurance Championship, have all won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The exceptional quartet have shared no fewer than 32 overall victories since World War II. British marque Aston Martin has only one overall Le Mans victory to its name, but the luxury brand has a reputation that puts it in a class of its own.
A spot of history - Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin (1878–1945) and Robert Bamford (1883–1942), Aston Martin is the oldest brand in LM GTE Pro. The marque came third when competing for the first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1935. However, Aston Martin’s reputation was established in the post-war period, when it was taken over by entrepreneur David Brown, a former tractor manufacturer. His initials still feature in names of the cars today.
The road to victory - The Aston Martin DB 1 and DB 2 were fielded at the first 24 Hours of Le Mans after World War II, in 1949. From then on, the marque attracted some of the most talented drivers of their time: Britons Reg Parnell, Peter Collins, Roy Salvadori, Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss, Australian Jack Brabham, Frenchman Maurice Trintignant, Belgian Paul Frère and American Carroll Shelby. On 21 June 1959, the chequered flag saluted a magnificent one-two finish for the Aston Martin DBR 1 with Salvadori and Shelby followed by Frère and Trintignant.
Aston Martin and LM GTE Pro: up-front power - Of the four WEC constructors, Aston Martin is the only one with a front-engine design. Although the iconic British marque has yet to win the LM GTE Pro class at Le Mans since the WEC was instigated in 2012, the Vantage V8 always puts up a fight in both GTE categories and won LM GTE Am in 2014.
With only ten points to make up on Ferrari, the team is still in with a chance of winning the GT constructors’ title. The crown hangs on their performance in the 6 Hours of Bahrain this weekend.
Le Mans 24 hours victories: 1 (1959)
Read the rest of the series here:
LM GTE Pro and the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1) - Ferrari
Photo: With a round to go, Aston Martin has a chance of winning the FIA World Endurance cups for GT manufacturers and drivers as well as the GT Am driver and team titles.
