Famous Le Mans Rivalries

Every sport has its rivalries through the ages, but few are more thrilling than the world of endurance racing – and in particular the 24 hours of Le Mans. Whether it’s Ford vs Ferrari (so famous, they made a film about it), Audi vs Porsche or any of the other titanic track battles that have taken place on the hallowed Circuit de La Sarthe tarmac, endurance racing rivalries make for gripping viewing at home – or even better, in person.

Typically taking place in June, around the middle of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has played host to some of the fiercest head-to-heads in motorsport history. Strap yourselves in as we put the pedal to the metal and race to the chequered flag…

What are the most memorable rivalries at Le Mans?

Here are the six greatest feuds in Le Mans endurance racing.

Ford vs Ferrari

The thrilling feud between these two motoring giants is one of the most iconic – and bitter – in the history of racing, let alone Le Mans. It even inspired the 2019 Ford v Ferrari Hollywood film Le Mans ‘66, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

Italian luxury car manufacturers Ferrari dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the early 60s, while the American Ford Motor Company were struggling with failed products. CEO Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari fell out over an attempt by Ford to buy Ferrari, and the deal was off. Seeking revenge, Ford were intent on humiliating their new enemy at Le Mans, so they built the GT40 to great expense. Although they couldn’t get the job done in 1964 and 1965, in 1966 Ford finally beat the Italians – and everyone else – when New Zealand’s Bruce McLaren and British co-driver Chris Amon came first in a Ford GT40. The same car model also came second and third, and Ford continued to dominate the race for the rest of the 60s.

Peugeot vs Audi

In the early 00s, German car makers Audi were the dominant force at Le Mans. The Audi R8 won the race from 2000 to 2002, then the diesel-powered R10 won three times, starting in 2006. But in 2007 another diesel monster emerged. The Peugeot 908 HDi DEP came second that year, then in 2009 finished behind Audi in second and third. Finally in 2009 Peugeot took victory thanks to Australian driver David Brabham, Marc Gene from Spain and Austria’s Alexander Wurz, claiming second place too.

Toyota vs Porsche

One of the fiercest ongoing rivalries in recent endurance racing history has been between German giants Porsche and Japanese speed merchants Toyota. From 2014 to 2017, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Porsche Team LMP provided stunning displays of competitiveness. In 2017, Toyota won more rounds than Porsche in the LMP1 (now Hypercar), but the Germans won both the World Manufacturers Champion title and Le Mans. Despite the intense rivalry, there’s respect on both sides.

H3: Porsche 917 vs Ferrari 512

The late-60s and early 70s is considered a golden era in endurance racing, and from 1969 to 1972, the Porsche 917 had a very memorable rivalry with the Ferrari 512. Ferrari were still smarting from their recent losses to Ford at Le Mans, and then to make matters worse, Porsche unveiled the impressive 917. In response, Ferrari unleashed no fewer than 11 models of the 512 at the 1970 Le Mans. Footage of the two speed demons even made it into the semi-fictional 1971 film Le Mans. But torrential rain caused major problems and many cars failed to finish. Porsche secured a historic 1-2-3 finish and despite a new version of the Ferrari 512 in 1971, Porsche won once more at Le Mans.

Jaguar vs Porsche

Porsche have won more 24 Hours of Le Mans than any other car maker – 20 times since 1970. Significantly, the 80s were a time of extreme dominance for Porsche. Their 936 was victorious on the legendary French course in 1981, beginning a seven-year winning streak. The 956 won four consecutive times and the 962C twice after that. However, in 1987, British luxury car manufacturers Jaguar were intent on shaking things up with their XRJ-8, but only managed to come in fifth. A year later, an updated XRJ-8 finally ended Porsche’s stranglehold on Le Mans, and the German automaker didn’t win again there until 1996.

Jaguar vs Mercedes vs Ferrari

1988 wasn’t the first Le Mans victory for Jaguar. In the 1950s, it battled with both Ferrari and German icons Mercedes-Benz, and the Jaguar XK-120C took the 1951 victory. The Merc W194 took the win in 1952 (Jaguar didn’t compete), while a Jag Type C was victorious in 1953, without an entry from Mercedes. After a Ferrari win in 1954, all eyes were on the three titans the following year. In the first hour, Italian Eugenio Castelotti (Ferrari), Brit Mike Hawthorn (Jaguar) and Argentinean Juan Manuel Fangio (Mercedes-Benz) were all in the lead, as predicted. Castelotti started dropping back. However, Hawthorn tried to pull over for a pit stop in front of Austin-Healey driver Lance Macklin, so Macklin swerved out into the path of Frenchman Pierre Levegh, in a Merc. Macklin was launched into the air and killed, along with 83 spectators. Mercedes pulled their cars, in first and third, from the race, and Hawthorn claimed victory.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is peerless for many reasons – the day and night racing, the legendary cars, the day/night racing and the general festival atmosphere surrounding the race week. But perhaps bigger than all of these are the on- and off-track rivalries that give itlasting human dimension to the whirring engines and screeching tires.