Bentley, the British pioneer – After becoming the first manufacturer from across the Channel to win the 24 Hours in only the second edition of the event (1924), Bentley went on to complete the first run of victories with four in a row from 1927 to 1930. Meanwhile, Woolf Barnato was the race’s first triple winner – in his only three attempts (1928, 1929 and 1930). That 1930 success was Bentley’s last... until 2003! The 73-year gap is, of course, the longest ever recorded between two wins for any manufacturer.

Pictured: Bentley’s sixth and latest win in 2003, with Italian Dindo Capello, Dane Tom Kristensen and Englishman Guy Smith (#7 Bentley EXP Speed 8).

Jaguar, the other legendary British marque – Jaguar came to the fore in the years immediately following the Second World War. After two wins in 1951 and 1953 with the XK 120, the marque claimed three consecutive victories (1955-57) with the D-Type. While its long bonnet and aerodynamic fin behind the cockpit caught the eye, the D-Type was also fitted with disc brakes and became the first car to win Le Mans with the technology. Jaguar returned to the Circuit de la Sarthe in the mid-1980s and ended Porsche’s domination with two wins in 1988 and 1990.

Pictured: Jaguar’s sixth Le Mans triumph in 1988, with Dutchman Jan Lammers sharing the wheel with British drivers and Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace (#2 Jaguar XJR 9).

Ferrari, the Italian exception – The relationship between the iconic manufacturer and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of mutual esteem. After winning the first post-war race in 1949, Ferrari went on a run of eight victories between 1954 and 1965 which helped forge its legend, while the race’s prestige was resurrected partly through the Italian firm’s success. Ferrari’s Le Mans adventure continues today in LMGTE, with three class wins since the FIA World Endurance Championship was founded in 2012.

Pictured: Ferrari’s ninth – and latest – outright win in 1965, with American Masten Gregory and Austrian Jochen Rindt (#21 Ferrari 250 LM).

Audi, successfully ringing the changes – With 13 wins in 18 appearances, Audi wrote some of the finest pages in Le Mans’ recent history. Its outstanding success is in no small part due to the family spirit upheld by its drivers as exemplified by record holder Tom Kristensen, who scored seven of his nine wins with the German manufacturer, combined with technological innovation. The first diesel-powered and hybrid prototypes to win the 24 Hours, in 2006 and 2012 respectively, sported the famous four-ring emblem. The exceptional Audi adventure will, of course, be forever associated with charismatic team boss, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Pictured: Audi wins for the fourth time in 2004, with Japanese Seiji Ara, Italian Dindo Capello and Dane Tom Kristensen (#5 Audi R8).

Porsche, synonymous with Le Mans success – Whenever any sports fan talks about Porsche and motor racing, the conversation will inevitably turn to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The manufacturer followed up its nineteenth outright win in 2017 with two further victories in the LMGTE classes last time around. Although Porsche was not the first German carmaker to triumph in La Sarthe (Mercedes claimed that honour in 1952), it has made an indelible mark on the history of the race, particularly in the eighties with seven consecutive wins from 1981 to 1987.

Pictured: Porsche’s maiden win in 1970, with British driver Richard Attwood and German Hans Herrmann at the wheel (#23 Porsche 917).