24h Le Mans
Presented 25 years ago, the first road model McLaren was destined for an extraordinary sporting career, with a win at Le Mans for its first participation in 1995. Here's a look back at certain drivers, from all walks of life, some of whom made it into the 24 Hours hall of fame.
- In addition to Yannick Dalmas, J.J. Lehto and Masanori Sekyia, who won for their first participation in 1995, at Le Mans the McLaren F1 GTR has been driven by nine other previous and future winners at the 24 Hours: Derek Bell, Mark Blundell, David Brabham, Dindo Capello, Eric Helary, Jochen Mass, John Nielsen, Emanuele Pirro and Andy Wallace. These 12 drivers have 26 victories between them.
- In 1995, J.J. Lehto and Masanori Sekyia (Yannick Dalmas' teammates) became the first Finnish and first Japanese drivers to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, respectively.
- With third place in 1995, Derek Bell claimed his final podium finish at the 24 Hours, along with his son Justin and Andy Wallace. "From an emotional standpoint, finishing third with my son was even better than winning five times," recalls Derek Bell today, winner at Le Mans in 1975, '81, '82, '86 and '87.
- Also in 1995, gentleman-driver and auctioneer/expert in vintage cars Hervé Poulain competed in his ninth 24 Hours of Le Mans at the wheel of a McLaren F1 GTR decorated by sculptor César. He finished 13th, along with Marc Sourd and Jean-Luc Maury-Laribière.
- Among the most memorable McLaren F1 GTRs figure those of the Gulf team, with the famous blue and orange livery. At the wheel in 1996, current president of the FIA Endurance Commission Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones achieved his best result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a fifth place finish.
- Also in 1996, a very special driver line-up finished in eighth place: Brazilian driver and three-time Formula 1 World Champion in 1981, 1983 and 1987, Nelson Piquet; Venezuelan driver and two-time (1975 and 1978) speed motorcycling world champion (brilliantly converted to supertouring), Johnny Cecotto; American driver and winner of the 1985 Indianapolis 500, Danny Sullivan.
- In 1997, French driver Eric Helary, winner in 1993 and second in 1995, claimed the third step on the podium, with Dutch driver Peter Kox and Italian native Roberto Ravaglia.
- In 1998, Steve O'Rourke (1940-2003), manager of the band Pink Floyd, scored his best result at the 24 Hours with fourth place overall. "I was indeed jealous," says his great friend Nick Mason, the band's drummer who has participated five times at Le Mans. "But it was an excellent effort, he managed to bring it all together to get that result."
The third and last installment of this saga will cover the successful fate of the BMW engine built specifically to power the F1 GTR. To be continued...
Click below for the first installment in this series:
The McLaren F1 GTR at Le Mans (1) - Key dates 1995-1998
Photo: Fifth in 1996, along with Australian native David Brabham and French driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, current president of the FIA Endurance Commission, resurrected Gulf Oil Company's legendary blue and orange livery, winner three times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1968, 1969 and 1975).
