Hans Herrmann, Legendary Porsche Driver, Passes at 97
The motorsports community mourns the loss of Hans Herrmann, a distinguished driver who passed away at the age of 97. Herrmann’s illustrious career spanned from 1952 until his retirement in 1970, during which he achieved notable victories in endurance racing, prominently with Porsche.
Herrmann’s most significant triumph came in 1970 when he and Richard Attwood secured Porsche’s first overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, driving the iconic Porsche 917 K. This victory followed Herrmann’s earlier class wins at Le Mans in 1958, 1962, and 1967. Reflecting on his career, he stated, “Winning exactly one year after the narrowly missed victory at Le Mans was, of course, special. It was also Porsche’s first overall victory – and it was my last race.”
In addition to Le Mans, Herrmann’s racing CV includes a class victory in the 1954 Mille Miglia with the Porsche 550 Spyder, an overall win at the Sebring 12 Hours in 1960 alongside Olivier Gendebien, and victories at the Targa Florio and the Daytona 24 Hours. In total, he compiled over 80 overall and class victories and was instrumental in Porsche’s success during the World Sportscar Championship.
“Our gratitude for Hans Herrmann is immense; he had a decisive influence on the history of Mercedes-Benz,” remarked Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH. Herrmann also made his mark in Formula One, competing for teams including Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, and BRM throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Thomas Laudenbach, head of Porsche Motorsport, expressed profound sorrow, stating, “He was one of Porsche AG’s most successful factory racing drivers. With the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, he and Richard Attwood made history.”
Following his retirement, Herrmann remained active in the motorsports community, contributing to the Porsche Museum and participating in classic car events worldwide.
Herrmann is survived by his wife Magdalena, two sons, and a grandson. The motorsport world extends its condolences to his family, honoring a legacy that reshaped endurance racing history.
