Discover the Evolution of the Porsche Panamera

Learn about the Porsche Panamera’s design, performance, and racing heritage. Discover how it blends luxury and sportiness in a four-door sedan.

On April 4, Porsche honored one of its most iconic drivers, Richard Attwood, on his 85th birthday. Fifty-five years ago, Attwood, alongside Hans Herrmann, secured Porsche’s first overall victory in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, a milestone that marked the beginning of a new era for the brand.

“We wish Richard Attwood all the best and thank him for his dedication to the Porsche brand,” said Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development. “With his victory at Le Mans in 1970, he secured a place in motorsport history.”

Born in Wolverhampton, UK, Attwood began racing at the age of 19, initially in touring cars and later in GT competitions. By 1965, he had entered Formula One and raced for teams including BRM, Lotus, and Williams. His Porsche debut came in 1967 when he finished second at Zeltweg in a privately owned Porsche 906 Carrera 6. He officially joined Porsche as a works driver in 1969, achieving a key win at the 1000 km of Österreichring and finishing second at the Nürburgring with Hans Herrmann shortly before their Le Mans triumph.

The 1970 edition of Le Mans saw fierce competition from Ferrari, Matra, and Alfa Romeo, with heavy rain adding to the challenge. Driving the Porsche 917 KH, Attwood and Herrmann delivered a flawless performance, guiding car number 23 through 343 laps and 4,607.811 kilometers to claim Porsche’s historic first overall win at Le Mans. This victory marked the start of Porsche’s legendary streak – today the brand holds a record 19 overall wins at the race.

Just a year after this defining achievement, Attwood retired from motorsport at the age of 31. His legacy, however, continues to resonate throughout Porsche’s racing heritage.

Source: porsche.com