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Hans Herrmann, German Racing Great and 1970 Le Mans Winner, Dies at 97

Tributes from Porsche and Mercedes honor the post‑war icon whose 1970 Le Mans win was the brand’s first overall victory.

Overview

  • His death on January 9, 2026, at age 97 was confirmed by his family and Porsche.
  • Herrmann shared the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with Richard Attwood in a Porsche 917, delivering Porsche’s first overall win at the race.
  • Across a versatile career he recorded more than 80 overall and class wins and started roughly 18–19 Formula 1 Grands Prix with one podium and ten points.
  • He survived serious accidents, notably at Monaco in 1955 and Berlin’s AVUS in 1959, earning the nickname “Hans im Glück.”
  • He retired immediately after the 1970 Le Mans triumph, saying he did not want to tempt fate, and is survived by his wife Magdalena, two sons and a grandson.