2019

That year witnessed an unprecedented subtlety of the World Endurance Championship calendar, with the motor racing season extending over more than a year from May 2018 to June 2019.

It therefore comprised a "Super Season" of eight races that four-wheel enthusiasts could attend with two events of the 24 Hours at Le Mans on the calendar, including the 2019 race as the grand finale.

Sebastien Buemi, Fernando Alonso and Kazuki Nakajima, who were already victorious in 2018, arrived at Le Mans assured of being world champions. The only waiting game was will they win the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours?

It was those driving the second Toyota who stood out in practice up to an hour before the finish. Mike Conway broke the record for the fastest lap in a race: 3 min 17 s 297. However, a puncture forced the no.7 to have two successive pit stops. The cruel nature of the race meant that the n°8 could grasp the opportunity to take the lead in the final few laps.

The victory had been snatched from the no. 7, while the no. 8 went on to win for the second consecutive year. It was a second victory at Le Mans for Spaniard Fernando Alonso in as many attempts in the event and, a new double for Toyota who had been disillusioned for so long.

After finishing second at the 4 Hours Le Castellet race in April 2019, the crew consisting of Manuela Gostner, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting became the first all-female trio to cross the finishing line of the 24 Hours race since 1977!

The Musée des 24 Heures is organising the BMH exhibition from 28th May to 6th October: Art and Victory”, to mark the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of BMW's last victory at Le Mans.

True works of art, the Art Cars are unique and form a unit considered to be indivisible. The cars become heritage to be maintained, loaned and exhibited once the race has finished, however, they cannot be sold. Their value also makes returning to the track unthinkable.