Inside AFP

Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

 

The 24 Hours of Le Mans race ("24 Heures du Mans" in French) will celebrate its centenary this year, during its 2023 edition on June 10-11. The  internationally famous sports car race is held annually near the town of Le Mans, France, and it represents the world's oldest active endurance racing event.

 

The mythic race's history marked by triumph and tragedy, and a hefty sprinkling of Hollywood stardust. Since 33 cars set off in the rain for the very first edition on May 26, 1923, Le Mans has gone on to earn an exalted place in motorsport's calendar alongside Formula One's Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500. The 10 June 2023 centenary, the 91st edition, promises to be a special affair, with a sold-out 300,000 crowd burning the midnight oil to watch the new Le Mans hypercar and a top tier grid comprising Toyota, Peugeot, Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac, Glickenhaus, and Vanwall.

For the occasion, let's dive into some AFP topshots of the event by decade, since its beginning in 1923 until the 2000s.

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The '30s

Aerial view of the Le Mans circuit, in 1939 Spectators play cards next to the Le Mans racetrack, in 1938

Race drivers run to their cars as they take the start of the race, in 1939 Race cars run on the pit straight, in 1934

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The '50s

The Jaguar Type-C XK 120 car crosses the finish line, 1953 Supporters who camp near the circuit of Le Mans wash up, 1952

People and photographers examine the Ferrari 212 Export C n°30 of Jean Larivière after his fatal accident, 1951 Race cars take the start of the 20th edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans, 1952

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The '60s

The John Wyer Automotive Engineering team Ford GT 40 N°6 crosses the finish line, 1969 Rescuers carry away American race car driver Walter Hansgen, 1966

Race car drivers run to their cars to take the start of the 34th edition of the 24 Hours Le Mans endurance race Picture taken at night of the Dunlop footbridge on the Le Mans circuit, 1963

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The '70s

Thousands of spectators attend the start of the 46th edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans, 1978 Driver's Lella Lombardi and Christine Beckers talk during Grand Prix of Endurance in Le Mans, 1977

Martini Racing Porsche System team race drivers pose near the Porsche 936 cars, 1978 A race driver takes a rest at the Porsche pit, 1978

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The '80s

Race cars take the start of the 49th edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans, 1981 The Porsche 962 C N°18 makes a pit stop for refuelling, 1988

Ford Concessionaires France team mechanics prepare the Rondeau M482 N°24, 1983 The Rothmans Porsche team drivers British Derek Bell sprayS champagne from the podium, 1982

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The '90s

The German Joest Racing team TWR Porsche WSC 95 N° 7 at the 24 hours of Le Mans, 1996 The Porsche 911 GT1 N°25 makes a pit stop, 1997

The Peugeot Talbot Sport team manager French Jean Todt watches the race, 1992 The Peugeot 905 Evo 1C N°3 are surrounded by the crowd, 1993

 

24 hours of Le Mans - The 2000s

Porsche 911 RSR WEC Belgian'd driver Laurens Vanthoor competes, the 24h du Mans car endurance race, 2018 Mechanics the Audi R18 e-tron quattro N°1 driven by France's Benoit Treluyer, the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, 2013

 

To go further - Cécile Cadel, journalist at AFP's picture library delved into archives recalling the 100 years of the race: 

 

Check out the showcase

Back to summary