The Hardest Car Race Has Seen Its Share of Intense Crashes
Le Mans is a 24-hour-long race that takes immense stamina and concentration. It's largely considered the toughest automobile race in the world. Although safety measures have been greatly improved since the inaugural race in 1923, crashes are still incredibly common, putting the drivers' lives at risk every time they get behind the wheel. Here are 20 of the biggest crashes in Le Mans history.
Jeffrey Keeton from Birmingham, USA on Wikimedia
1. The 1955 Le Mans Disaster
The 1955 Le Mans became the setting of racing's deadliest crash when a massive accident occurred two hours in. When Mike Hawthorn pulled his Jaguar into the pits, the drivers behind him were going too fast to avoid him, causing a pile-up that resulted in Pierre Levegh's Mercedes catching fire, his car's parts flying into the crowd, killing 77 spectators.
2. 2013 - Allan Simonsen
Just ten minutes into the 2013 race, Danish driver Allen Simonsen's Aston Martin spun out of control and crashed forcibly. Simonsen was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in what was the first fatal crash since 1997.
3. 1981 - Jean-Louis Lafosse
When his Rondeau malfunctioned, French driver Jean-Louis Lafosse veered off track on the Mulsanne Straight, where the majority of fatal accidents have occurred, and crashed into two guard rails. Lafosse was killed instantly and two race marshals were also injured.
4. 1986 - Jo Gartner
At the 1986 Le Mans, Jo Gartner's Porsche malfunctioned on the Mulsanne Straight. It crashed into the barrier at high speed before somersaulting, hitting a pole, driving into some trees, and finally catching fire, ending Gatner's life.
5. 2011 - Mike Rockenfeller
Mike Rockenfeller was lucky to escape with his life after his high-speed crash at the 2011 Le Mans. He had just moved into second place when a Ferrari veered into him, sending the Audi into a barrier. His car was destroyed but the driver safety cell was intact, allowing him to climb out of the wreckage relatively unscathed.
Stefan Brending (2eight) on Wikimedia
6. 1925 - Marius Mestivier
At the 1925 Le Mans, French driver Marius Mestivier was struck in the head by a bird, knocking him out. He swerved off track and nosedived into a ditch, the impact taking his life.
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia
7. 1999 - Peter Dumbreck
In a shocking incident at the 1999 Le Mans, while trying to pass the Toyota ahead, Peter Dumbreck's Mercedes went airborne, flipping multiple times and landing in the forest on the side of the track. Astonishingly, Dumbreck survived the crash, emerging from the smashed car relatively unscathed.
8. 1969 - Lucien Bianchi
Lucien Bianchi's fatal accident came just one year after taking the victory at Le Mans. His Alfa Romeo spun off track and crashed into a telephone pole during testing, taking his life when he was just 34. In his memory, the fourth turn of the circuit is named after him.
Evers, Joost / Anefo / on Wikimedia
9. 1963 - Christian Heins
When Bruce McLaren's engine blew, it spewed oil over the track at the 1963 Le Mans. A Jaguar touched the oil, slipping off the track and catching fire. Another car hit the Jaguar, causing a pile-up on the track which Christian Heins tried to avoid but instead his car swerved off track, hit a pole, and burst into a ball of fire, killing the driver.
10. 1969 - Henri Pescarolo
Henri Pescarolo had a brush with death when his car hit a bump while driving at over 150 miles per hour at the 1969 Le Mans. An aerodynamic problem cause the car to go airborne and flip into the forest. Amazingly, Pescarolo walked away with his life.
11. 1965 - Lloyd Casner
At the 1965 Le Mans, American driver Lloyd Casner's Maserati hit a bump on the Mulsanne Straight, causing it to veer onto the grass, somersault twice, and throw Casner out of the car. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
12. 1972 - Jo Bonnier
At the 1972 Le Mans, Jo Bonnier tried to avoid Florian Vetsch's Ferrari which he was driving too slowly. However, the cars made contact and Bonnier's car went airborne, landing in the trees. Bonnier lost his life on impact.
13. 1976 - André Haller
During his first lap, André Haller suffered an intense crash that took his life. His Datsun skidded at the Mulsanne kink and spun many times before hitting a railing and bursting into flames.
14. 1997 - Sébastien Enjolras
In a car malfunction at the 1997 Le Mans, part of the back end of Sébastien Enjolras's car came loose. As a result, the car went airborne, turned over, and burst into flames after landing, killing Enjolras.
15. 1937 - René Kippeurth & Pat Fairfield
During the opening laps of the 1937 Le Mans, René Kippeurth lost control of his Bugatti, hit a dirt pile, and was thrown form the car, killing him. Drivers swerved to avoid the wreck but Pat Fairfield drove right into the smashed Bugatti. He was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing surgery.
16. 1949 - Pierre Maréchal
In the final laps of the 1949 Le Mans, Pierre Maréchal attempted to pass another car when his Aston Martin spun off track and rolled over. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
17. 2012 - Anthony Davidson
At the 2012 Le Mans, Anthony Davidson's Toyota made contact with a Ferrari, causing it to dramatically fly into the air. It spun and flipped, but fortunately landed on its wheels allowing Davidson to escape with his life. He sustained serious injuries but has since recovered.
18. 1951 - Jean Larivière
Along the Mulsanne Straight, Jean Larivière lost control of his Ferrari and went airborne over an earth bank. He came in contact with a wire fence which cut him at the neck, tragically ending his life.
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia
19. 2014 - Loïc Duval
In a terrifying crash at the 2014 Le Mans, French driver Loïc Duval's Audi flew into the air and crashed backwards into a fence, totalling the car. Duval sustained injuries but recovered.
20. 1958 - Jean-Marie Brussin & Bruce Kessler
At the 1958 Le Mans during a dangerous downpour, Jean-Marie Brussin took a turn too fast and his Jaguar rolled over, coming to rest on the track. Unable to slow down, Bruce Kessler's Ferrari rammed into the Jaguar. Brussin was killed on impact and Kessler sustained serious burns, but lived.
