Gérard LARROUSSE

A French driver

Gérard Larrousse was a student when he took part in his first rally, and was fascinated by motorcycles and sports cars from an early age. He decided to make motor racing his career rather than in commerce or industry after his studies and military service had been completed in 1996. He was quickly spotted in rallies in which he has a number of victories to his name.

Gérard Larrousse discovered Le Mans with Alpine in 1967 and 1968 and threw in the towel on each occasion. His career took on another dimension with his commitment to Porsche. He twice finished second. In 1969, he finished the race 120 metres from Jacky Ickx's winning car. The following year, he led the famous “psychedelic” Porsche 917 onto the podium.

The centenary edition corresponded to the fiftieth anniversary of the driver's first victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with the French team Matra. He won in 1973 when associated with Henri Pescarolo and following a sumptuous fight between the four Matras against four Ferraris. This defeat marked the last appearance of prototypes from the Italian manufacturer at Le Mans.

The Pescarolo-Larrousse saw a third victory in a row to Matra, who decided to turn the page on endurance. 

Gérard Larrousse traded in his pilot's overalls for the team boss's outfit after a highly successful season in 1974. In endurance, it accompanied the victories of the Renault-Alpine of Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud in 1978. He has been the president of the Le Mans 24 Hours drivers' club since 2008 after having had a career as a rally and Formula 1 team principle.

The President of the Republic (Georges Pompidou) started the Le Mans 24 Hours race for the first time back in 1972. Matra won alongside Pescarolo and Hill.

Henri Pescarolo and Gérard Larrousse were enshrined with the Legion of Honour on the Le Mans circuit following Matra's second victory in 1973.