Porsche’s Dominance at Le Mans—19 Historic Wins

Three white Porsche vehicles in Martini race livery and leading a pack of other cars in the background on a racetrack with grey cloudy sky in background with stadium stands.

Since its inception in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has stood as the pinnacle of endurance racing, where only the most resilient machines and skilled drivers emerge victorious. Porsche, with an unmatched 19 overall wins, has built a legacy on this circuit, proving time and time again that its cars are engineered for both speed and stamina.

Red Porsche 911 with decals and branding in the foreground passing a blue divider with 24h Le Mans branding in white painted on it.

From the revolutionary Porsche 917K that claimed its first victory in 1970 to the dominance of the 956 and 962 in the 1980s, each win tells a story of perseverance and innovation. With the complexities that surround and make up 24hr Le Mans, here is how Porsche triumphed and the cars that shaped its legacy at Le Mans.

Inagural Win – 917KH (1970)

Red Porsche 917KH race car with man in single seat cockpit driving on the racetrack passing empty audience stands. — Distance: 4607.81 (Km) / 2863.16 (Mi)
Drivers: Richard Attwood, Hans Herrmann
Source: Porsche

In 1970, Porsche clinched its inaugural Le Mans victory with the formidable 917K, driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood. This powerhouse featured a 4.5-liter flat-12 engine, delivering approximately 580 horsepower, propelling the car to a top speed of 360 km/h. The race was notorious for its torrential rain, leading to numerous accidents, but the 917K persevered, finishing five laps ahead of its closest competitor.

Win 2 – 917K (1971)

White Porsche 917KH Number 22 Martini race car parked on the race track with empty bleachers in the background and green grass next to it. — Distance: 5335.313 (Km) / 3315.210 (Mi)
Drivers: Dr. Helmut Marko, Gijs van Lennep
Source: Porsche

The following year, the 917K repeated its triumph at Le Mans, this time piloted by Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko in a new look, dressed in the infamous Martini Racing-Team livery. The car’s engine had been upgraded to a 4.9-liter flat-12, maintaining its formidable performance. Notably, the 1971 race set a distance record of 5,335 kilometers, a testament to the 917K’s endurance and speed.

Win 3 – 936/76 (1976)

Two men in white race suits sitting in a Porsche 936 race car with Martini race livery surrounded by many people celebrating with them. — Distance: 4769.923 (Km) / 2963.893 (Mi)
Drivers: Jacky Ickx, Gijs van Lennep
Source: Porsche

In 1976, the Martini Porsche 936 emerged victorious, driven by Jacky Ickx and Gijs van Lennep. This open-cockpit prototype was equipped with a turbocharged 2.1-liter flat-6 engine, producing around 520 horsepower. The 936 dominated the race, finishing 11 laps ahead of the nearest rival, marking Porsche’s first turbocharged victory at Le Mans.

Win 4 – 936/77 (1977)

White Porsche 936 Martini race car #4 with a single driver with a white helmet in front of other race cars on a track. — Distance: 4671.63 (Km) / 2902.82 (Mi)
Drivers: Jürgen Barth, Hurley Haywood and Jacky Ickx
Source: Porsche

The 1977 race saw the 936/77, an evolution of its predecessor, take the win with Jürgen Barth, Hurley Haywood, and Jacky Ickx at the helm. Despite early setbacks that left the car trailing, a remarkable comeback, largely credited to Ickx’s relentless driving, secured victory by an impressive 11-lap margin.

Win 5 – 935 K3 Kremer Racing (1979)

White Porsche 935 with orange striping from the hood to the door panels with various stickers, branding and number on door panel with the car and driver on a race track. — Distance: 4173.93 (Km) / 2593.56 (Mi)
Drivers: Klaus Ludwig, Don Whittington and Bill Whittington
Source: Kremer Racing

Porsche’s 935, a race variant of the 911 Turbo, claimed the 1979 Le Mans title. Driven by Klaus Ludwig and brothers Don and Bill Whittington, the 935 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-6 engine, delivering substantial power. The race was marked by heavy rain and numerous lead changes, but the 935’s reliability and speed ensured an eight-lap victory.

Win 6 – 936/81 (1981)

White Porsche 936 Spyder with White Jules race livery, orange accents and striping down the front end with driver in the single open cockpit with large air duct. The car and driver are driving down a track with grass and tree and blue sky in background. — Distance: 4825.348 (Km) / 2998.332 (Mi)
Drivers: Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell
Source: Porsche

In 1981, the 936/81, piloted by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell, secured another win for Porsche. This iteration housed a 2.65-liter turbocharged flat-6 engine, producing approximately 620 horsepower. The duo showcased exceptional skill and consistency, finishing 14 laps ahead of their closest competitors.