On June 15, 2026, Nyck de Vries and Kamui Kobayashi claimed the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Toyota GR010 Hybrid. They edged out the BMW M Hybrid V8 by just 11 seconds. This win marked Toyota's first Le Mans victory in four years. It was a significant milestone for de Vries. He had left F1 in 2023 after being released by AlphaTauri. The race was a mix of speed, strategy, and endurance. The narrow margin of victory underscored the intense competition at the event.
A legacy of crossover excellence
De Vries' win at Le Mans placed him among an elite group of over 60 F1 drivers who have also won the prestigious endurance race outright. However, within this group, only five have also claimed an F1 World Championship, highlighting the rarity of such achievement. These five drivers are Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, and Fernando Alonso.
Mike Hawthorn carved his name into motorsport history in 1955. He and Ivor Bueb triumphed at Le Mans in a Jaguar D-Type. Just three years later, in 1958, he became the first driver to win both the F1 World Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours. He set a precedent for future drivers.
In 1961, Phil Hill joined the ranks of the elite, having already claimed three Le Mans victories between 1958 and 1962. His F1 World Championship that year made him the second driver to achieve the dual victory, proving his versatility across different types of racing.
Triple Crown and the rarest of records
Graham Hill's 1972 Le Mans win cemented his place in motorsport history. It completed the Triple Crown of Motorsport. This consists of wins at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This extraordinary feat remains unmatched to this day. It underscores the difficulty and rarity of such a triple victory.
Jochen Rindt, a two-time F1 World Champion, had a brief but impactful career in endurance racing. He won Le Mans in 1965 with Masten Gregory in a Ferrari 250LM, but his life was cut short in 1970 during the Italian Grand Prix. Despite his untimely death, Rindt's legacy in both F1 and endurance racing continues to inspire.
Fernando Alonso, the two-time F1 Champion, added Le Mans wins to his résumé in 2018 and 2019 while racing for Toyota. He remains just one victory away from completing the Triple Crown, as he has yet to claim the Indianapolis 500. Alonso's ability to excel in both F1 and endurance racing showcases his versatility and determination.
The 2026 race and its implications
In 2026, Robert Kubica achieved a historic milestone by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He won for Ferrari's AF Corse team alongside Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye. This victory was his first outright Le Mans win. It marked the first time a Polish driver had won the event. Kubica had a notable F1 career with BMW Sauber, Renault, Williams, and Alfa Romeo. He nearly saw his career end after a severe rally crash. But he made a remarkable comeback in endurance racing.
The 2026 Le Mans race signified a return to form for Toyota, who had not won the race since 2022. Kamui Kobayashi, who had previously raced in F1 for Toyota, Sauber, and Caterham, once again showcased his endurance racing prowess. He had already won Le Mans in 2021 with the same team, and his 2026 victory further solidified his reputation as one of the top endurance drivers.
As motorsport continues to evolve, the intersection of Formula 1 and endurance racing remains a fascinating area. The success of drivers like de Vries, Kubica, and Alonso in both worlds highlights the diversity and depth of motorsport talent. Their achievements serve as a testament to the skill, resilience, and adaptability required to excel at the highest levels of the sport.