After a promising career in single-seaters (German and Japanese F3 Champion) he took part in his first Le Mans 24 Hours in 1997 winning the race. This victory sealed his sporting destiny. In 2000 he joined Audi as a works driver and quickly became one of the spearheads of the German manufacturer’s attack with a mind-boggling series of six consecutive victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours between 2000 and 2005 setting a new record in the process!

If he is called Mr. Le Mans he has always had the good manners to point out that this flattering title belongs to Jacky Ickx, his predecessor as victories record-holder in the Le Mans 24 Hours with six successes. Thanks to his skill behind the steering wheel, his charisma and his simplicity Kristensen has not only built up one of the greatest set of results in the history of endurance (and in motor sport in general), but he has also won the hearts and the affection of the general public.

Tom Kristensen: “I’ve had the privilege of driving for the best team and the world’s coolest automobile manufacturer for 15 years. I’ve had great team-mates and worked together with fantastic people. My string of victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours would not have been possible without Audi. Leaving this team as a driver is hard for me. But the day had to come at one time or another. I can only thank Audi and the entire staff for the great time I’ve had and look forward to my new tasks for the brand and the team of Audi Sport.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO: “A giant has retired! Tom Kristensen will remain indelibly linked to the Le Mans 24 Hours, a legendary race that has forged his legend. His nine victories will remain forever engraved on the trophy, and above all in our hearts. Tom is a marvellous driver and a gentleman, a man full of panache and passion as well as somebody who combines generosity and simplicity. He’s a real, a great champion, and we will be sorry not to see him on the grid for the Le Mans 24 Hours and all our other endurance races. But he will always be the best possible ambassador for this event which, like him, we all adore. Bye, bye Tom and thanks for everything!”

Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport: “Naturally, the retirement of a remarkable personality like Tom Kristensen is a great loss for Audi Sport Team Joest and the entire endurance racing scene. We can understand his decision to quit at the pinnacle of his career. He’s the last member of the generation that Audi began with in prototype racing. Tom has been competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as the reigning World Champion this year and shown that he’s still one of the world’s fastest and best sports car drivers. We’ll miss him as a driver but he’s going to continue to support us with his wealth of experience and his personality."

Tom Kristensen

Born: 7th July 1967 in Hobro (Denmark)
Début: karts in 1984

18 starts in the Le Mans 24 Hours: nine victories (1997-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004-2005-2008-2013), five top-3 finishes.

FIA World Endurance Championship: world champion in 2013:
23 races, four victories (Sebring 12 Hours in 2012, Silverstone 6 Hours, Le Mans 24 Hours and the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas in 2013)

Thirteen starts in the Sebring 12 Hours: seven victories (1999-2000-2005-2006-2008-2009-2012), four top-3 finishes.
American Le Mans Series: Champion in 2002.

Homage to Tom Kristensen

On 30th November the 9-time Le Mans 24-Hours winner will start his final endurance race in the Sao Paulo 6 Hours. Up till then the ACO social networks and internet sites will pay homage to the great Danish champion every day.
This will be a full homage on a daily basis with interviews, commentaries, videos and articles.

To be followed on: 24h-lemans.com ; lemans.org ; lemans-tv.com and the official Le Mans 24-Hours Facebook and Twitter accounts: 24 Heures du Mans – ACO Official / Twitter : @24hoursoflemans Hashtag : #24LM).