1995

While victory seemed to promote the prototypes of French manufacturers with Courage and WR out in the lead, heavy rain fell on the circuit and reshuffled the pack.

The McLarens, rookies at the Le Mans 24 Hours, went into the lead. The car could be distinguished by attention to detail for a racing car and was fashioned by engineer Gordon Murray and designer Peter Stevens. It includes a central cockpit flanked by two seats to accommodate passengers. Its formidable handling and traction are distinctive features for when the weather favours aquaplaning.

The first attempt really was a masterstroke with four McLarens in the first five places.

McLaren was above all becoming one of the rare manufacturers to triumph during its initial participation and the fifth British manufacturer to win at Le Mans, after Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Mirage. It joins another illustrious name, Ferrari, which won the race on its debut at Le Mans in 1949.

Yannick Dalmas wrote his name into the history books for the third time among the drivers who made up the winning team. This was the first time that Japanese and a Finn have won at Le Mans!

1995 was the year of the inaugural “Parade des Pilotes” race.

Every year since that date, over 150,000 people invade Le Mans city centre on the Friday before they start to cheer on the drivers parading in vintage cars.

This provides solid evidence that innovation pays off: the McLaren of the Giroix team, presented in the video above, imposes its beet-based bio fuel by finishing in a remarkable 5th place.

This result remains the best for a "green vehicle" until the victories of the hybrid prototypes from 2012.

All of the vehicles who have taken part in the 24 Hours have been powered by bio fuel since 2022.

“I quashed your vanity and increased your glory” (César to Hervé Poulain)

The collaboration took place in two stages. Firstly, César collected all the trophies won by the male driver Hervé Poulain and made it one of the compressions which remains a secret. It is then the painted image of these compressed glorious memories that enamels the McLaren Art Car.