How Tom Kristensen forged his ‘Mr Le Mans’ legend

He is synonymous with success at the Circuit de la Sarthe, but Tom Kristensen's sportscar legacy amounts to much more than his record-breaking nine Le Mans wins, as the most successful driver ever at Sebring and a world champion to boot…

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It was deep in the night at the 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours, and a star suddenly appeared next to the name Tom Kristensen on the timing screens. That meant the Joest Porsche driven by the race rookie had just posted its fastest lap so far.

A few minutes later, a double star appeared. That signified the #7 car had just set fastest lap of the race. It was a portent of what was to come for Kristensen, because a star was born in the small hours of that Sunday morning.

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 32nd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 75 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.