Equalling Enzo: When McLaren won Le Mans at the first attempt

10/23/24 • 82 min

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On this episode, Matt and Richard wind the clock back to 1995 when McLaren shocked the sportscar establishment by winning the Le Mans 24 hours at its first attempt.

The guys reflect on McLaren's sportcar heritage, the origins and incredible pedigree of the organisation's somewhat confusingly named 'McLaren F1' road car, and why the Le Mans project came at a good time for the beleaguered Formula 1 operation.

They also dig into the details of the 24-hour race itself, explaining how a fleet of cars were prepared for the gruelling event and what success represented for McLaren in both the long- and short-term. Oh, and they also discuss which F1 driver paid more than $15m for a McLaren F1 of his own...

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A Race Media Production

Producer: Jonny Reynolds

With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Matt and Richard wind the clock back to 1995 when McLaren shocked the sportscar establishment by winning the Le Mans 24 hours at its first attempt.

Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier!
Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop
Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
Download our app on iOS or Android

A Race Media Production

Producer: Jonny Reynolds

With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

The making of 'Grand Prix' - the movie that took F1 to the masses

This week Matt and Richard are winding the clock back to 1966 - a year when the worlds of Formula 1 and Hollywood collided with the on-location production of John Frankenheimer’s epic movie Grand Prix.

The film has received mixed reviews over the years, but what made it so interesting for motor racing fans back then - and what makes it such compelling viewing for modern fans today - is that although the story and characters are fictionalised, much of the action footage used in the film is genuine race footage, featuring genuine racing stars of the day.

Matt and Richard dive into the details of how the movie was produced amid the drama of a real Formula 1 season, how Frankenheimer convinced Enzo Ferrari to allow his cars in the film, and how innovative recording techniques (including some crazy camera cars) enabled Frankenheimer to make the staged racing sequences so authentic and immersive.

They also discuss Graham Hill's acting chops, give their views on the film's oft-criticised 'soap opera' storylines, debate whether lead actor James Garner could have cut it as a real racer, and explain which real-life drivers and real-life events were the inspiration for the movie’s characters and most dramatic moments.

Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier!
Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop
Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
Download our app on iOS or Android

A Race Media Production

Producer: Jonny Reynolds

With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

American F1 teams - the good, the bad and the ugly

With Andretti Global still trying (and currently failing) to gain a place on the F1 grid, Matt and Richard thought it was high time to look back at the American teams that have come and gone from Grand Prix motor racing over the years.

They tell the tale of the American upstarts who shocked the French establishment in the 1920s, explain the story of the billionaire named Lance (no, not that one) who hobnobbed with movie stars before starting his own team in the late 1950s, and look back on the rise and fall of the first iteration of Haas - a team completely unconnected to today's team of the same name that were powered by Krispy Kreme donuts!

Richard also provides his personal recollections of watching Dan Gurney win the first race for an American constructor at Spa in 1967, while Matt has another boatload of anorak facts about everyone from Scirocco to Shadow and Penske to Parnelli.

There's also chat about the previous time Michael Andretti was blocked from competing in Formula 1, the failed USF1 bid of 2010, and Ford's involvement in F1 via Jaguar Racing - so stand by for another Niki Lauda impression!

Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier!
Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop
Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
Download our app on iOS or Android

A Race Media Production

Producer: Jonny Reynolds

With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support

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