The five successful McLaren F1 GTRs that crossed the finish line at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans complete a parade round 20 years after their legendary victory.
McLaren Automotive and McLaren Special Operations (MSO) are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours victory next month with a venerable display at the French circuit. The five examples of the McLaren F1 GTR that dominated the race in 1995, including the winning chassis #01R, will be brought back to the track. For the first time since the checkered flag dropped shortly after 4pm on June 18, 1995, the five cars will be back on track together.
Twenty years on from the legendary victory in which the five cars crossed the finish line, chassis #01R, #06R, #02R, #07R and #05R will return to the venerable circuit for a parade lap before the lights turn green for the 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The McLaren P1™ GTR will lead the pack with French former racing driver Yannick Dalmas, who was also part of the winning squad in the #59 McLaren F1 GTR. His teammates J.J. Lehto and Masanori Sekiya will also take part in the parade.
A piece of motorsport history
The McLaren F1 secured its place in motorsport history 20 years ago when five models, only slightly adapted to the track, crossed the finish line at the world's most famous endurance race in France and achieved the most dominant result in history.
On its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the McLaren F1 GTR immediately claimed victory and also finished third, fourth, fifth and 13th, beating off a field of thoroughbred race cars and established manufacturers. This result meant that McLaren was, and still is, the only manufacturer to claim the triple crown of motorsport - victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.
The five successful McLaren
- Team: Kokusai Aihatsu Racing (GB)
Chassis #01R F
car number: 59
Drivers: Yannick Dalmas (F), J.J. Lehto (SF), Masanori Sekiya (J)
Qualification: P9 / Race: P1 - Team: Mach One Racing (GB)
Chassis #06R
Car number: 51
Drivers: Derek Bell (GB), Justin Bell (GB), Andy Wallace (GB)
Qualification: P13/ Race: P3 - Team: Gulf Racing (GB)
Chassis #02R
Car number: 24
Drivers: Ray Bellm (GB), Mark Blundell (GB), Maurizio Sandro Sala (BR)
Qualification: P11 / Race: P4 - Team: Giroix Racing Team (F)
Chassis #07R
Car number: 50
Drivers: Jean-Denis Delétraz (CH), Fabien Giroix (F), Olivier Grouillard (F)
Qualification: P15 / Race: P5 - Team: Société BBA Compétition (F)
Chassis #05R Car number: 42
Drivers: Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiére (F), Hervé Poulain (F), Marc Sourd (F)
Qualification: P20 / Race: P13
