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Hans Herrmann, Le Mans Winner Who Delivered Porsche's First Overall Victory, Dies at 97

Tributes from Porsche and Mercedes highlight his enduring impact on endurance racing.

Overview

  • His family and Porsche announced his death on January 9 at age 97.
  • Porsche Motorsport chief Thomas Laudenbach praised him as one of the marque's most successful works drivers, while Mercedes Heritage also issued a public tribute.
  • He won the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans with Richard Attwood in a Porsche 917 K, securing Porsche's first overall triumph at the race before retiring soon after.
  • Across a long career he amassed more than 80 overall and class victories, won the 1960 Formula‑2 European title, and earned a 1954 Swiss Grand Prix podium in Formula 1.
  • Nicknamed "Hans im Glück" for surviving serious crashes including AVUS 1959 and Monaco 1955, he later remained a fixture at historic events; survivors include his wife Magdalena, two sons, and a grandson.