Henri Pescarolo

Lore & Background

Born and raised in Paris, Pescarolo began his career in a Lotus Seven aged 22. He participated in 64 Formula One Grands Prix, achieving one fastest lap, one podium finish, and 12 championship points. He entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record 33 times between 1966 and 1999, with four overall wins and four class wins (1970, 1971, plus overall wins in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1984). He also won the 24 Hours of Daytona, 1000 km of Monza, 1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps, 6 Hours of Nürburgring and 1000 km Buenos Aires. Pescarolo drove in the Dakar Rally in the 1990s, before retiring from racing aged 57. Upon his retirement from motor racing in 1999, he founded the eponymous racing team, Pescarolo Sport, which competed at Le Mans until 2013. He was widely known for his distinctive green helmet, and full-face beard that partially covers burns suffered in a crash.

In Their Own Story

The rain hammered the visor as Henri checked his fuel gauge one final time at midnight. It was another year at Le Mans, another lap in the dark where perfection mattered more than speed. He knew the mechanics were waiting for him back in the pits, a familiar rhythm after decades of this ritual. Even without the trophy on the wall, the roar of the engine and the smell of burnt rubber felt like home, proving that sometimes the race itself is the only prize worth fighting for through the night.

Reader's Guide

Pescarolo won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times as a driver (1972, 1973, 1974, 1984). He has yet to win the race as a team owner. His team, Pescarolo Sport, competed until 2012 in the Le Mans Endurance Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He won the Porsche Cup in 1984. Pescarolo holds the record for Le Mans starts with 33.

Did You Know?

• Pescarolo holds the record for Le Mans starts with 33.
• He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times as a driver (1972, 1973, 1974, 1984).
• He has yet to win Le Mans as a team owner.
• Pescarolo won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1991 with Joest.