Le Mans 24 hours : The statistics of victory and participation

Some figures speak for themselves, sometimes surprising. Others seem unbeatable, yet the records are made to be broken!

- Record number of wins

* Driver: 8 (Tom Kristensen in 1997, from 2000 to 2005 and 2008). This record will remain for some years to come: Dindo Capello clinched three victories teamed-up with Tom Kristensen ...!

* Manufacturer: 16 (Porsche). Audi lie in a relatively distant second place with 10 wins.

* Tyre Manufacturer: 34 (Dunlop). Michelin, with 20 victories will take many years to equal the record

- Record number of entries

* Men: 33 (Henri Pescarolo). In the second place is the late Bob Wolleck with 30 entries. No current drivers come close to matching this record, Jan Lammers has only 21 entries, Christophe Bouchut and David Brabham have both accumulated 17 entries.

* Women: 10 (Annie-Charlotte Verney)

- Pole and victory: 3 (Jacky Ickx in 1975, 1981 and 1982). Note that no driver has yet completed the feat of setting the pole time, fastest lap and victory in the same race.

Dave Davies

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT OF THE 24 HOURS, LE MANS 24 HOURS, JUNE 9TH 2010, PRACTICE.