Cars
Le Mans Yesterday and Today: BMW
BMW’s Le Mans journey spans over 60 years, from class victories with the 328 in 1939 to its sole overall win with the V12 LMR in 1999. Recent attempts, including the 2024 Hypercar debut, reflect determination to reclaim glory.
Among manufacturers with only one overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW deserves a mention for winning the world's toughest endurance race in 1999 with the V12 LMR prototype. However, focusing solely on this success would be reductive, as the Bavarian brand's story at the Circuit de la Sarthe began 60 years earlier.
On the eve of World War II, the Nazi regime in Germany used motorsports as propaganda, generously funding engineers and designers, including BMW at the 1939 Le Mans. Three cars were entered: two roadsters and a special Touring Superleggera coupé with low aerodynamic resistance, which achieved fifth overall and a class win in the 2000cc category on its debut. The car, advanced for its time, also triumphed at the 1940 Mille Miglia months later.
