Over the years, Austria has produced several Le Mans 24 Hours winners. Jochen Rindt won the race in 1965, the last time Ferrari took the top spot in Le Mans. Then, in 1971, Helmut Marko covered the longest distance in the history of the race, a record that stood until 2010. Both Wurz and Lietz have their names on the winners board at Le Mans. Victorious in 1996 at the age of 22, Wurz remains the youngest ever winner, although he is not the only driver to have won as a rookie. He claimed the trophy once again in 2009. As for Lietz, he worked his way up through Porsche cup series and has three class wins with the 911 to his name (2007, 2010 and 2013).

A Porsche factory driver since 2007, this weekend’s win is a just reward for Lietz’s unwavering loyalty to Porsche. He had already banked three wins and two top-three finishes in LM GTE Pro this season, so fifth place in Bahrain was enough to clinch the crown. Wurz and teammates Stéphane Sarrazin and Mike Conway achieved their second podium place this season in the Toyota TS040 Hybrid, finishing third overall. Just like Tom Kristensen in the 6 Hours of São Paolo last year, Wurz bows out with panache.

Jean-Philippe Doret /ACO – Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: SAKHIR (KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN), BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF BAHRAIN, SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2015, FINISH. Richard Lietz is the sole winner of the FIA WEC GT drivers’ cup, his teammates not having driven a complete season.